What is the function of the little light bulb mounted in the lower front of the headlight bucket. I have had several people ask me and I don't know. Please enlighten me LOL..
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Pretty sure it's the parking light.
Yes, it is the original parking light. I used that wire to power up some LED, 7" Halo daytime driving lights. These cars are small and low enough that I felt I needed to enhance visibility. Many install a rear LED 3rd stoplight behind the top of the "Hibachi" grill as well.
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History. Traditionally, parking lights were wired on a different system than headlights and were used in place of them when parked alongside a road so that the parked car could be spotted by approaching drivers. As time went on and roads became wider, the original use of parking lights fell by the wayside.
@Robert M Not sure if other manufacturers do it, but with Mercedes-Benz, you have the option of illuminating the parking lights for just the driver side or just the passenger side. I don't know how far back MB used this feature, but they were on my W108 (280se).
I've read some posts say that it's the "tell-tale" sign of a replica, the use of the bulb in the headlamp assembly bucket. I think I've seen more real Speedsters with this setup, than not.
Kevin - Bay Area posted:@Robert M Not sure if other manufacturers do it, but with Mercedes-Benz, you have the option of illuminating the parking lights for just the driver side or just the passenger side. I don't know how far back MB used this feature, but they were on my W108 (280se).
I've read some posts say that it's the "tell-tale" sign of a replica, the use of the bulb in the headlamp assembly bucket. I think I've seen more real Speedsters with this setup, than not.
Then they don't know what they're talking about. I've seen more with the small parking bulb than without. Look on Willhoite's site and it runs about 50-50.
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They are left over from VW. Porsche 356A's (which most of our replicas mimick) had parking lights with the turn signal light. 2 filament bulbs.
Pre-A and beehive A's should not have a parking bulb in the headlight, teardrop A's should have the parking bulb. This is a "general" rule for restoration, however there are many documented cars that appear to have used whatever was available on handy on that day so it is not concrete... plus it is such an easily damaged/changed item its one that is hard to authenticate. It should be wired to the running/park light circuit