B-Body Original General Electric Headlamp Study

This thread is the result from the recent thread titled "Original Headlights"

It specifically focuses on B-Body Muscle era Original and New-Old-Stock General Electric Headlamps.

This thread does not claim to be definitive. It is a work in progress; a learn as we go.

Anyone with supportive information is encouraged to share here.

I've read that General Electric headlamps were the original, correct headlamps for pre-1970 B-Bodies. Westinghouse headlamps seem to have entered the scene starting in 1970.

A quick look at the current offerings at the various auto parts house reveals the following available brands: Sylvania, EiKO, Wagner, and Philips.

So I guess it's good luck for anyone who wants Genuine made in the USA General Electric headlamps on their classic B-body Mopar.

Moving on, let me post what I believe to be the two remaining original headlamps from my St. Louis built 1969 Road Runner - SPD 9/10/68

Part numbers #4001(high) and #4002(low) are the correct part numbers.



Date code? April or August 1968? Anyone?


When I was cleaning up my two headlamps, the ink stamp from the 4002 bulb almost completely washed off. As a result, I messed up and ordered a P/N #4000 which supersedes #4002. Headlamp #4000 is marketed as a Plus25 bulb claimed by General Electric to provide 30% brighter whiter light for better visibility. I'm to understand this due to the fluting of the glass lens. For your viewing pleasure I've posted a side-by-side comparison below comparing the lens fluting.

Ebay score came in today. Now let's take a closer look ->







Below, side-by-side low beam fluting comparison



Below #4002 (1969)



Below #4000 (Later - Supersedes #4002)



Next post #4001 high beam ->

Next we have high beam #4001. I assumed that since the part number is the same, it would be the same as the original #4001 removed from my car. This was not the case. GE made changes to the lense fluting but did not supersede the part number like they did with #4002 ->


Below #4001 Side-by-side fluting comparison


Below #4001 (1969)



Below #4001 (Later)


So what's a guy to do? I was really hoping to match the two originals I have but that didn't happen. In the mean time I've purchased what appears to be a real #4002 bulb and a pair of older #4001 bulbs. When they arrive I'll post up pics of those.

I've reasoned that what I have so far are Genuine Made In The USA General Electric headlamps that have a claimed 30% better brightness over what originally came on the car. I could probably stop there and 99.8% of people would never know the difference. However, I've had it set in my mind to match the originals and that's what I intend to do. Given that, if anyone is interested in purchasing these later style GE headlamps pictured here, shoot me a PM.

More to come...

i removed my original, working headlight bulbs from my 69 charger, and they look almost, if not identical to your GE's. however, i think they are Westinghouse's. i didn't blow the dust off, or try to clean them, but i'll bring them inside for a closer look. [where it is a "little" warmer. ] interesting comparison of lens flutes ! there are date codes on my bulbs so i will try not to ruin them when cleaning off the dust so i can compare my dates to those of your bulbs. i realize this is an apples to kumquats comparison.

The wide-flute design GEs were also present on a very original '70 Satellite wagon I owned years back.
Nearly all of my '67-'70 B-bodies were St. Louis cars, with 1 from L.A. and a few from Hamtramck. All the original cars had the wide-flute GEs.

I have some original used GE wide flute bulbs. PM me if you are interested. Joe

Thanks Joe. I will keep you in mind if the NOS ones in the mail to me don't pan out.

Update: Today my NOS #4002 headlamps came in. Let's take a look.

Bingo!


Date code: October 1969?


Below the packaging to look for:





Below, the second #4002 bulb I got was dated June 1963. It's the same bulb and packaging.



Another thing to note. The later #4000 GE headlamps have DOT in the ink stamp and the class lens. While the early #4002 bulbs have SAE in the ink stamp only: