1939 P8 Headlights

[Lloyd]

Hey guys, looking at any options for the headlights on my 39 P8. I've got the buckets, 1 trim ring and the lenses for the headlights but that's it. I am missing the internals for the buckets and not even sure what they look like. Plus the buckets are both rotten on the bottoms. I can fix this but still need the rest of the stuff that goes inside - I believe that going to be some adjustment frames.

 

I have been considering some other options to upgrade headlights to sealed beams.

 

Does or has anyone any information which may help? I have been looking for 2 days and found one link which offers the original internal components at $400.

http://www.fvstore.com/1939-PLYMOUTH-HEADLIGHTS-COMPLETE-buckets-reflector-lens-and-chrome-bezel/p471087.html

I'm seeing a frame in the pics on the above link that are probably for headlight adjustment, I believe this is what I'm missing but at $400 - kinda in the middle on that one. However the website does not seem to be working very well anyway - plus I believe the website originated from China which gives me even more doubts.

 

I've also included a pic of what I do have, came with the car. I would rather keep the squarish style headlights but are there other options besides trying to get ahold of the original equipment?

 

Thanks for looking.

Lloyd

Edited October 28, 2013 by Lloyd

[greg g]

These were bulb, reflector, and lens units so you would need to locate all those parts. the 39's were a one off that year for headlamps. and even back then when sealed beams came out a couple years later, conversions sold in the after market were popular, and many 39's were fitted out with them as bulbs burned out and reflectors turned black.  You might try E bay or some of those wrecking yards that are in Texas and Arizona, and the Dakotas that have websites, or put a classifies on the Plymouth Owners Club site.

 

I have seen a couple cars around here where folks have cobbles up a round sealed beam, mounted it some how in the bucket and then put the 39 lens and trim over them.  Don;t know how effective they would be with a lens behind a lens but have seen it done.

Edited October 28, 2013 by greg g

[Lloyd]

Hey Greg.

I've pretty much worn out eBay and the rest of the internet but I will keep looking. That's a thought putting up an classified ad.

Don't really want to go back to original but I would be willing to take a second look at it if I can locate the parts.

What I am mostly considering is the modification route - putting a sealed beam inside the buckets. I would still need to be able to adjust the beam vertical and horizontal so I'm thinking I would need the entire unit from another car, something like remove the entire bucket from a newer vehicle and placing it inside the original bucket.. Plus it needs to be a 6V lamp.

 

If anyone reading this has gone this route, swapping the headlights over to sealed beam and keeping the original trim and lens I would appreciate any advice or how-to's.

Thanks,

Lloyd

[TodFitch]

. . . I have seen a couple cars around here where folks have cobbles up a round sealed beam, mounted it some how in the bucket and then put the 39 lens and trim over them.  Don;t know how effective they would be with a lens behind a lens but have seen it done.

Seems like a really bad idea to me. The beam pattern can't possibly be helped by having to sets of lenses spreading the light around.

[desoto1939]

LLoyd:  when on ebay checkout on the 39 Ddodge I think i saw an 39 Plymouth square headlight bucket and it looked in good condition.  You will also need to have the headlight socket 2331 for the correct syle headlight bulbs.  There is only one vender that has these headlight sockets and that is Don Axlerod up in Mass.  I use the same sockets on my 39 Desoto.  He has had a major run done on these sockets and they cost $35 for a pair.  I have a 39 Desoto which is close to your car.

 

You will need the internal frame to hold the refelectors and the sockets.  The headlight glass and the Chromes frames.  These are called the headlight doors  and also a rubber gasket that goes arounf the glass and the refelctor. Roberts Mopar pasts has the bulbs which are 2331  not 2330 and the rubber gasket.

 

The 39 Plymouth has alot of stuff since they were the most produced, then Dodge and then Des/Chrysler.

 

The 39 Plymouth is somewhat by itself on sheet metal.  The 39 Dod/Des/Chry share some of the same sheet metal.

 

Write to me  and keep looking on the Bay and also contact the POC Plymouth Owneres Club.  They might beable to help with the buckets.  The conversion assembly over to sealed beams does not enhance the front of the car.  This is just my opinion so if you can get the original headlight it will look better.  ALso I would go with the hologen 2331 bulbs if you can get some and also put a headlight relay on the car to help get brighter lights.

 

When swaping over to sealed beams you do not keep the original headlight chrome trim becasue the sealed beam is not round and the new outter door has the correct sized hole for the sealed beam.  There is a front end currently on the Bay with this setup.  do a search on 1939 Plymouth headlights.

 

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Lloyd]

Seems like a really bad idea to me. The beam pattern can't possibly be helped by having to sets of lenses spreading the light around.

Thanks Tod, actually I was just looking at some 'Frenched Headlight kits" and considering putting them in some way but still using original chrome trim and lenses on the outside. Im sure it would not help going thru 2 lenses, but I would like to keep original look anyway. Just poking around at some ideas.

But your probably right, using 2 lenses would not be a good idea.

[Lloyd]

You will also need to have the headlight socket 2331 for the correct syle headlight bulbs.  There is only one vender that has these headlight sockets and that is Don Axlerod up in Mass.  I use the same sockets on my 39 Desoto.  He has had a major run done on these sockets and they cost $35 for a pair.  I have a 39 Desoto which is close to your car.

 

You will need the internal frame to hold the refelectors and the sockets.  The headlight glass and the Chromes frames.  These are called the headlight doors  and also a rubber gasket that goes arounf the glass and the refelctor. Roberts Mopar pasts has the bulbs which are 2331  not 2330 and the rubber gasket.

 

Write to me  and keep looking on the Bay and also contact the POC Plymouth Owneres Club.  They might beable to help with the buckets. 

 

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

 

Hello Rich, thanks for the response. I would like to keep original but it seems hard to find the parts. This is 4 days spent mostly looking. I did see the 39 ply front end on eBay a couple days ago, don't really care for the look of the headlights but may not have a choice, although I would rather keep the original chrome trim. I took a look at the 39 Dodge bucket on eBay and it is the same as mine, I put a bid on it. Thanks.

So if I can find another bucket and the internal frames, reflectors - how would I get ahold of Don Axelrod to get the sockets?

I'll contact the POC and see if they have any leads, thanks again.

Lloyd

[busycoupe]

Try "Then and Now Automotive" in Weymouth, Ma. When I was in their shop a couple of years ago they had a 39 Ply headlight door and glass hanging on the wall. They specialize in all kinds of obsolete parts.

Dave

[desoto1939]

Definately contact Don Axlerod He specilaizes in pre war headlights.  He might have what you want.

 

Here is Don's information:

 

Headlight Headquarters  35 Timson St,  Lynn, MAss 01902-1824

Phone 781-598-0523

 

Rich HArtung

Edited October 28, 2013 by desoto1939

[Roadkingcoupe]

From the picture in your post it appears as if you have the Bucket and Bezel (doors) and cables.

However, the more finicky (read: hard to find parts) are the ones missing.

They include the head lamp reflector adjusting bracket (X 2  part # 852518)  , reflectors (X2 part #694055), headlamp reflector retaining clips (X 6 part # 852520) head lamp reflector adjusting slide (X 2 #852560) and a bunch more small parts too numerous to list at this time.

Since 1939 was the last year before the introduction of the sealed beam headlamps.

You might want to consider a sealed beam conversion kit.

They were a popular aftermarket accessory that allowed the retrofit application of the sealed beam headlight bulbs on pre - 1940 vehicles.

please feel free to contact me if you are interested in more info or parts.

 

roadkingcoupe

[John Reddie]

Lloyd, you can try these guys. They list 10 '39 Plymouth parts cars on their side. Good luck to you.

John R

 

http://www.mooresautosalvage.com/parts.asp?division=2&make=Plymouth

[Lloyd]

Lloyd, you can try these guys. They list 10 '39 Plymouth parts cars on their side. Good luck to you.

John R

 

http://www.mooresautosalvage.com/parts.asp?division=2&make=Plymouth

Thanks for the link John. I sent them an email, even if they don't have everything for the headlights they do have some 39 Plymouths for parts.

[Lloyd]

You might want to consider a sealed beam conversion kit.

They were a popular aftermarket accessory that allowed the retrofit application of the sealed beam headlight bulbs on pre - 1940 vehicles.

please feel free to contact me if you are interested in more info or parts.

 

roadkingcoupe

Thanks but I was hoping to keep the original trim. Don't mind going to sealed beam but would rather keep it looking original. This conversion kit would not let me do that right?

I would be interested in a photo of the kit and install instructions.

[Roadkingcoupe]

Thanks but I was hoping to keep the original trim. Don't mind going to sealed beam but would rather keep it looking original. This conversion kit would not let me do that right?

I would be interested in a photo of the kit and install instructions.

The sealed beam conversion kit fits over the "shaped" headlamp opening and allows the installation of round sealed beam bulbs.

So......you would not have the original headlamp doors.

I saw the 1939 Chrysler sedan in Las Vegas that was Johny Carson's original family car. The vehicle was equipped with the sealed beam conversion. The curator was positive that it was original equipment. We had a great "discussion" of all aspects of the car and he disappeared. He returned armed with a video of some original footage of the car when owned by his father. Sure enough the original tear drop shaped headlamps were in the video.

   It must have been considered quite an upgrade going to the sealed beam headlamps with a brighter and more focused headlamp beam.

 

Follow the link to view a video of Johny Carson explaining how he obtained his fathers "original" car.

In the video you can see the sealed beam conversions and in the older segments the original shaped headlamps..

 

Edited October 29, 2013 by Roadkingcoupe

[RobertKB]

Looks like you have an interesting project. Good luck with it as you will have a nice car when done.

 

You mention you spent 4 days looking for parts and have been given some good suggestions on this forum. 4 days is not long to look for parts. Be patient, keep looking, and they will eventually turn up. Lots of us have spent 4+ years looking for parts. It took me 8 years to find a decent hood ornament for my '38 Chrysler. Decent in the sense it was a good candidate for rechroming. These are old cars and parts can be hard to find and expensive. Sometimes you just have to "pay to play" and pay what is being asked.

[desoto1939]

Take yourr time in finding the parts.  The hunt for the parts is also a major part of the game in getting the car on the road.  If price is not a problem then the big venders like Mitchell, Roberts and Bernbaum will be your first place to checkout if they have the NOS parts but you will pay for the cost to play with them.

 

Check out any all swap meets you might get lucky and find the parts.  ALso do not forget to look in the vendors that caryy Ford and Chevy parts the smaller guys, They sometimes get items in lots and they sometimes get some Mopar items for sale and do not even know what they have and sometimes you get a bargin price.

 

Now since it is getting to be colder and the weather is changing and less driving time this is a good time to get to know your car inside an out and to checkout the condition and to start to make a list of what you can work on right now and putoff for warmer weather but also gives you time to do searching for items.  I have had my 39 desoto for 25+ years and I am always looking for parts even thought it is in good condition.  The hunt never stops that the fun of the hobby.

 

Here is the link to the Ply owners Club regional clubs.  You might want to find a local club and contact them and ask for any help in locating the headlight parts for your 39 Ply.       http://www.plymouthbulletin.com/regions.htm

 

Rich HArtung

Desoto1939@aol.com

Edited October 29, 2013 by desoto1939

[Dodgeb4ya]

We sold both the 1939 P8 convertibles and a 1949 Plym convertible- owned by our friend who had a lot of 30's and 40's parts who recently passed away. We also sold some 1939 Plym headlamp assemblies at the estate sale I posted earlier about under ..

Ebay, Craigslist and External Site Referrals

.A few here didn't think the ad I posted was of much good I guess.

Sorry you missed out on these 39 plymouth headlamp assemblies. It's good to follow all leads if you see them I suppose.

 Here is the pair oif NOS headlamps that were part of his estate parts sale.

Bob

Edited November 1, 2013 by Dodgeb4ya