The Ford Barn

39topless · 08-13-2015, 04:25 PM

You don't see'm much anymore but at one time they were very popular. Just curious as to the origin of the name for this head-light/body modification. I've never owned a car with "French (Frenched ?) headlights but it seems to me that changing a burned out headlamp would be a bugger. Obviously, I have way too much time on my hands.
Thanks, Phil

48 coupe · 08-13-2015, 04:59 PM

It had something to do with French cuffs on a shirt. They look rounded seems like that was the deal back in the day.

Torchie · 08-13-2015, 09:25 PM

Yes changing a bulb is a bugger. Usually involves removing the front tire as the screws that hold in the bucket go in from the back side.
I believe that the point of "Frenching" the headlights was to give the front fender a smoother look.(No headlight ring seam) It also makes the front fender appear to be longer( Chrome headlight ring painted to match the rest of the fender).
Torchie

Mike B · 08-14-2015, 01:44 AM

Always thought it was called "frenched", because of the kiss?

Chevford · 08-14-2015, 04:43 AM

Piece of cake! Have them on my 41.
Trim ring off and a couple of screws and the whole light assembly
comes out and I change the bulb from the back side.

Fibber Mcgee · 08-14-2015, 07:14 AM

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I thought they were called frenched because they were "retreating "into the fender. Sorry I had to.

scooder · 08-14-2015, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fibber Mcgee

I thought they were called frenched because they were "retreating "into the fender. Sorry I had to.

They'd be called Italian head lights on that rationale, you know the ones with Sun burnt arm pits.
Martin.

G.M. · 08-14-2015, 08:08 AM

I did them on a car 65 years ago and they were a pain to change the bulbs. G.M.

51 MERC-CT · 08-14-2015, 09:25 AM

Did it 58 years ago to one of the two 49' Mercury sport sedans I had at the time. Was done using 53'-54' headlight doors with inner s.s. trim rings that were removable from the outside to give access to bulbs.

JSeery · 08-14-2015, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Did it 58 years ago to one of the two 49' Mercury sport sedans I had at the time. Was done using 53'-54' headlight doors with inner s.s. trim rings that were removable from the outside to give access to bulbs.

Like the Merc!!!

39topless · 08-14-2015, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevford

Piece of cake! Have them on my 41.
Trim ring off and a couple of screws and the whole light assembly
comes out and I change the bulb from the back side.

They look great on a '41. Thanks for the photo.

JSeery · 08-14-2015, 12:34 PM

Here's what Wikipedia says: Frenching is the act of recessing or moulding a headlight, taillight, antenna or number plate into a car body to give a smoother look to the vehicle. The name originates from the end result looking like a French cuff of a shirt sleeve, which has a ridge at the end.

Chevford · 08-14-2015, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 39topless

They look great on a '41. Thanks for the photo.

Thank you and your welcome.

39topless · 08-14-2015, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Here's what Wikipedia says: Frenching is the act of recessing or moulding a headlight, taillight, antenna or number plate into a car body to give a smoother look to the vehicle. The name originates from the end result looking like a French cuff of a shirt sleeve, which has a ridge at the end.

And there you have it. It's just what 48 coupe said it was. And It's Frenched, not French.

Lawson Cox · 08-14-2015, 11:22 PM

Only thing I liked about France was the "French Toast" and Bridget Bardot" (In my minds eye she still looks good at what 82?) NOT

48 coupe · 08-15-2015, 07:26 AM

HMMMM. what he said.

08-13-2015, 04:25 PM	#1
39topless Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,027	French headlights. You don't see'm much anymore but at one time they were very popular. Just curious as to the origin of the name for this head-light/body modification. I've never owned a car with "French (Frenched ?) headlights but it seems to me that changing a burned out headlamp would be a bugger. Obviously, I have way too much time on my hands. Thanks, Phil

08-13-2015, 04:59 PM	#2
48 coupe Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shell Knob Missouri Posts: 151	Re: French headlights. It had something to do with French cuffs on a shirt. They look rounded seems like that was the deal back in the day.

08-13-2015, 09:25 PM	#3
Torchie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northern Mi. Posts: 355	Re: French headlights. Yes changing a bulb is a bugger. Usually involves removing the front tire as the screws that hold in the bucket go in from the back side. I believe that the point of "Frenching" the headlights was to give the front fender a smoother look.(No headlight ring seam) It also makes the front fender appear to be longer( Chrome headlight ring painted to match the rest of the fender). Torchie

08-14-2015, 01:44 AM	#4
Mike B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oakdale,Ca Posts: 1,323	Re: French headlights. Always thought it was called "frenched", because of the kiss?

08-14-2015, 04:43 AM	#5
Chevford Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Fayetteville , NC Posts: 12	Re: French headlights. Piece of cake! Have them on my 41. Trim ring off and a couple of screws and the whole light assembly comes out and I change the bulb from the back side.

08-14-2015, 07:14 AM	#6
Fibber Mcgee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Callahan Fla Posts: 1,149	Re: French headlights. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I thought they were called frenched because they were "retreating "into the fender. Sorry I had to. __________________ Wanted, a car with a " Dynaflex Superflowing Unijet Turbovasculator which is Syncromeshed to the Multicoil Hydrotensioned Dual vacuum Dynomometer. "

08-14-2015, 08:08 AM	#8
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: French headlights. I did them on a car 65 years ago and they were a pain to change the bulbs. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

08-14-2015, 09:25 AM	#9
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: French headlights. Did it 58 years ago to one of the two 49' Mercury sport sedans I had at the time. Was done using 53'-54' headlight doors with inner s.s. trim rings that were removable from the outside to give access to bulbs. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

08-14-2015, 12:34 PM	#12
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: French headlights. Here's what Wikipedia says: Frenching is the act of recessing or moulding a headlight, taillight, antenna or number plate into a car body to give a smoother look to the vehicle. The name originates from the end result looking like a French cuff of a shirt sleeve, which has a ridge at the end.

08-14-2015, 11:22 PM	#15
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: French headlights. Only thing I liked about France was the "French Toast" and Bridget Bardot" (In my minds eye she still looks good at what 82?) NOT __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

08-15-2015, 07:26 AM	#16
48 coupe Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shell Knob Missouri Posts: 151	Re: French headlights. HMMMM. what he said.