One of my Corvette winter projects is to recondition the head lamp assemblies. Upon disassembly of both headlamp assemblies I noticed that the right side had (silver) high and low beam head light REAR HOUSINGS and were painted differently from the left (semi-gloss black). What's right, silver or black? My quess is black, like the rest of the assembly. What do you all think?
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black *NM*
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
Randy-----
Each of the headlamp "rings" (the term for the cup-shaped part that the sealed beam resides in) were specific for each position. These rings were originally finished 2 ways-----painted black or a galvanized finish. So, it's possible that the original rings used on your car are the exact same ones that are on it now---there was no rule that all had to "match". It's also possible, of course, that one side or the other has been replaced. Most likely, this would only occur if one "corner" of the front end was badly damaged in a collision.
One thing that you could check for is this: the rings have a large hole in the rear through which the connector passes. Original rings manufactured until approximately 1969 had a completely round hole. Later rings, including SERVICE replacements for earlier models had a "squarish" hole. This feature may provide a "clue" as to which side was replaced. If all are round, then I think there's a good chance that all may be original to the car (or, the replacements occurred before about 1969). Please report what you find.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
Randy,
In addition to what Joe mentioned, I believe there is a difference between 63 and the 64 and later design. The 63 used only two small screws to retain the front stainless ring to the rear ring (cup) and 64 and later used three. (hope I remember that correctly, could be the other way around)
Also, for 63, the color would have almost always been a dark gold when new and slowly turning to silver after decades of chemicals in the air.Comment
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
Each ring has a L1 L2 R1 R2 stamped into one of the ears. I have found most rings are galvanized I mean 100s. I find black ones in other GM car lines.
KevinComment
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
agree with mike. never taken a midyear headlite housing apart and seen black "cups".all have been cad plated. mikeComment
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
I read this as the housing. Not the cup. Not the retainer. I still say black housing. I agree the cups were probably silver.Comment
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Pic Of NOS 63-67 Cup
The gold color and galvanizing (if that's what it is) is obvious on these NOS cups.
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63 Two Tab Ring
The 63 (and probably also 58-62) outer and inner rings have only two tabs for attachment. I believe that at, or near, SOP of the 64 model year, a third tab was added and continued at least through the C2 series.
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
Joe, it looks as if I have service replacement parts (squarish holes) on both sides. One side has a pair of black rings the other silver. The silver color is not due to galvanizing but aluminum type paint.Comment
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
Mike, all of my rings have three holes to attach the stainless retaining ring, so I'm not sure if they are correct for the car.Comment
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
Kevin, another anomaly, The four rings I have are each stamped differently, with the letters "A", "B", "C" and "D"!Comment
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Re: 1963 Head lamp bulb rear housing color
Wayne, I'm talking "headlamp bulb rear housing" which secures the headlight with the help of the stainless "headlight bulb retaining ring" through the use of "3" screws.
So is it silver, black, galvanized or gold? Help, me!Comment
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Re: 63 Two Tab Ring
Michael's right on--58-62 were two tabs and a slot for the tensioning screw to hook into.Comment
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Re: 63 Two Tab Ring
Mike, I seem to have the three tab ring and I believe that it may be correct for my car since it was produced late in 1963 (3rd week of july) with VIN 30867S119541. I have seen many 64 parts on this car and Cincinatti regional judges gave it a top flight with 97.7%. Thank god these guys know what they are doing!
By the way, thanks again for the great photos.Comment
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