Re: Tung Sol headlights?
[Re: Mattax]
#3045853
05/28/22 11:59 AM
05/28/22 11:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,788 A collage of whims
topside
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,788
A collage of whims
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From the time when the '68 cars were new, until last May, every original 4-lamp B-body I've seen had General Electric (spelled out) sealed beams. That's hundreds, if not thousands, of them over 50+ years. Last May, as some here may recall, I bought a 17,000-mile original '69RR. It has Tung-Sol low-beams. St. Louis car, SPD 2/12/69. I was surprised by that, but pretty sure it was built that way just based on mileage. I can't confirm unless I pull them and check dates, though that may not be conclusive. Such a unique & odd experience for me, I'll probably leave it that way, though my OCD prefers all 4 from the same manufacturer.
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Re: Tung Sol headlights?
[Re: topside]
#3045872
05/28/22 12:43 PM
05/28/22 12:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 768 Dry Heat AZ
AAR#2
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 768
Dry Heat AZ
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On 4 headlight cars it’s not that uncommon to have had a mix of companies, though usually the lows match as do the highs. Seems GE was the most common and Westinghouse running a lesser used 2nd, Tung Sol appears more rare and are not generally recognized by many.
I’ve never seen any conclusive documentation to support what plant, year, make, or model received what bulb manufacturer.
With documented cases of each I’d say if the lamp date code matches within reason the SPD of the car it was found in, there is a strong possibility the bulb is original if the car is unrestored, but you better have pictures and document it well if you have plans to argue the case.
To the OP, can a Tung Sol be an original bulb, yes. Is it the original to the bucket you have, plausible, but more information/detective work would be needed.
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Re: Tung Sol headlights?
[Re: topside]
#3045963
05/28/22 05:47 PM
05/28/22 05:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 768 Dry Heat AZ
AAR#2
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 768
Dry Heat AZ
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Yeah, I'm sure the assembly workers didn't match headlamp manufacturers, but that car is my 14th RR and the 1st Tung-Sols I've seen on one. All have been original cars, mostly St.Louis with a Lynch & L.A. in the mix. All matching-set GEs until this car. I remember the Tung-Sol name from long ago as an parts-store supplier. It could be that with the significant sales (and therefore build) increases of '68 - '69, Chrysler was sourcing headlamps anywhere they could. An original car (survivor) would be considered as such with a replacement bulb, the only way to reduce the doubt is to look at the date code. I did a quick search but couldn’t find what my mind recalls reading. Some time back I recall reading some speculation Tung Sol may have been more prevalent in the LA builds, though still not with any regularity. In my case it was research related to road lamps, but with my build being an AAR (all built in Hamtramck) I couldn’t use the Tung Sol lamps I had and was forced to find some GE’s
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Re: Tung Sol headlights?
[Re: topside]
#3045966
05/28/22 05:58 PM
05/28/22 05:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,893 Harriman NY
71GTX471
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,893
Harriman NY
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I bought a set of used 71 RR headlamp brackets complete with HL buckets & lamps,they came from a RR that was in the junk yard since the late 70s I checked all the lamp date codes & there all correct for 71,they have tung sol low beams & GE high beams,was at a small car show last year & a 71 RR survivor showed up having the same headlamp arrangement.
Last edited by 71GTX471; 05/28/22 06:03 PM.
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Re: Tung Sol headlights?
[Re: 71GTX471]
#3046582
05/30/22 08:53 PM
05/30/22 08:53 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,826 South Bend
John Brown
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,826
South Bend
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Post a picture of the tung sol date codes,be careful its easy to wipe the codes off. And, the ink is water soluble.... so, don't try washing them.
July 19th should be "Drive Like Rockford Day". R.I.P. Jimmie.
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