Head Light Reflectors made from Ford Print

[Marco Tahtaras]

It sounds like "the print" is a post production print (late 30's or later) which included two indexing slots so they would be compatible with 1928 lamp sockets. The downside to this is you cannot use 1928 type bulbs with the low c.p. parking light filament if you want good driving lights at night. The "driving" filament will be off center so a proper focus will not be attainable.

[Special Coupe Frank]

So, the single-bulb '28 folk will be resigned to having original reflectors re-silvered or Uvira-ed ?

SC Frank

[Mike V. Florida]

I sent brattons Marco's comments and this is what they sent me back.

The socket has one slot. The prints are dated 06-27-30

[bogiediver]

Can someone smarter than me interpret that for me...

Marco's comment said '... print... late 30's... has two slots... cannot use 1928 type bulbs..."

Brattons says "The socket has one slot. ...prints...dated [mid-30]"

So what does their response really mean?

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by bogiediver

Can someone smarter than me interpret that for me...

Marco's comment said '... print... late 30's... has two slots... cannot use 1928 type bulbs..."

Brattons says "The socket has one slot. ...prints...dated [mid-30]"

So what does their response really mean?

The simple answer is they can't be used like originals on '28-early 1929 lamps. If you try to use original sockets you will have left and right beams (turned sideways). Additionally the sockets are positioned on center with the early design and moved it 1/16" for the Twolite reflectors. Ford made a similar change later for replacement '28 reflectors to simplify production. They claimed it would still focus so I suppose it was "good enough" even with the slight light beam shift.

If you install 1929 Twolite sockets along with the new reflectors in the early lamps OR cut a new indexing slot 90 degrees from the existing one they will function. It's worth noting that the full cork "channel" is advantageous.

[Mike V. Florida]

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It's a shame they spent all that time and money only to have customers pissed off when they try to use them.

[Special Coupe Frank]

If they made the parabolic bowl deep enough, and at the proper curvature, it will still be a big improvement over the chrome-plated too-shallow stuff...

SC Frank

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

It's a shame they spent all that time and money only to have customers pissed off when they try to use them.

They SHOULD be good. However they need to make it clear which light socket set is required with those reflectors to not totally mess up '28 owners.

[John LaVoy]

I agree with Marco on handling etc of the silver. I replated the ones on my phaeton in 1965 and they still look good. Silver is the highest reflective material and works best for the headlights. But as folks are saying if they aren't going to drive at night then just something to hold the headlight bulb works.

[bogiediver]

Here's the latest email update:

(my ? in black; Bratton response in red)

Just thought I'd check in on this project again.

Last you indicated was mid-March for availability.

A review of the website - I didn't see them listed...

so:

1) Are the new Ford Print reflectors available today?
Yes they finally arrived late last week, and we are getting them ready to sell. They should be on the shelf by the end of today. The only problem is the factory messed up our order and instead of splitting the order ½ chrome, and ½ aluminum, they made the whole run with the brighter aluminum finish. The chrome ones are still going to be 12 – 18 months minimum before they arrive.


2) Part numbers?
The one bulb reflectors are #17940, and the two bulb reflectors are #17950. We no longer have any of the old incorrect style on the shelf at this time.



3) Price?
These reflectors will be retailing at $91.00 per pair for either the one bulb or the two bulb.

[RonC]

I wouldn't think there would be much of a demand for the chrome versions unless they are close in price to the non-Ford print chrome versions.