Hella Driving Lamps

Anyone know where to find a set of driving or fog lamps with grill style lens guards, like the ones Jim Ward has on his almost completed car. I think his came from George Brown.

I have the headlight grill guards and was looking for driving lamps that had the guards as well.

Where do I look for these and what should I expect to pay for them?

Bob:

Those are pretty rare, although on very infrequent occasions, you might see them show up on Ebay. In really ratty shape, they often bring over $100 per pair. For a pair of restored/re-chromed, ready-to-go lights in excellent shape, anywhere from $350 upward, depending on who's bidding and how badly they want them. I've recently seen a pair on another forum in "excellent shape" (whatever that meant) bring $475.

Good luck looking..........See you at Carlisle??

gn

I got one through eBay and one through a seller on eBay that knew someone with one, sort of convoluted, but now I am in the hunt for the lamps themselves. I have one in sort of rough condition. $100 isn't uncommom for a stone protector grille...yes I said 'A' stone protector grille.

I had them rechromed and they look great. Not being fussy, I drilled a small hole in each side of the grille and hooked a very small bungi (sp?) cord on to hold them on my existing driving lights.The cord looked to new to suit me, so out came Mr. Felt Pen and Voila'
Antique Road Race look.

The Hellas on Jim's car are very rare - the "grill guard" is an integral part of the rim that holds the glass to the shell. Hard to tell where you might find a pair of NOS or good condition ones like that.

Well, I will keep looking on ebay, 356 registry, PCA, SO.c, I am not above begging. I guess the grill guard look make these tough to find.

Any suggestions on where NOS or replica parts might be found? websites, magazines, etc...

Gordon...still trying to work in the Carlisle trip...the date (and number of days needed) was tough with some family plans...but I would like to do it, so I'm working on it...I really could use a few days on the road in the new Speedster...then some time with the guys, the cars, the beer, etc.....

Bob: There's a pretty decent Porsche Club in the Atlanta/Alpheretta area, and they host a swap meet once a year. The guy I bought my 911 wheels from (about ten years ago, now) is in Alpheretta, and I'll dig out his name and address and email it to you so you can contact him - really decent guy, who used to concours his car and then went the Autocross route but he's got quite a few connections down that way.

gn

BTW: on finding NOS and rare parts: When I was working on my wife's Austin Healey, years ago (which seemed to be an endless project - LOL!) I went to this guys shop for parts up near the New Hampshire state line to get some engine parts, and as he was pulling stuff out from under his bench I spied a pair of brand new, 30-year-old Lucas flame thrower lights in original boxes - all covered with dust and grime. He didn't even remember that they were back there, and sold them both to me for 60 bucks. I turned around and sold them to someone else and way more than covered their price AND the rest of the engine parts I bought.

Keep your ear to the ground and watch the swap meets - you never know what you'll find.

"Antique Road Race look."

Paul,

Isn't that a cool way to go with stuff these days?!?! I'm trying to hook up a pair of the old Lucas Flamethrowers (from a TR3 this time) to use on the Porsche. My lamp "grill" components range from stainless wire shelving sections, to inner bulb holder/bezels from twin 6 inch headlight assemblies.

Once they're together and epoxied into shape with small leather dog collar belts and buckles holding them on, I'll have "Antique Road Race look." coming out my ears . . .

And who's to say otherwise. A whole lot of roadside fixes stayed with the cars until they were sold and raced and rallyed yet again. At SOME point, jury-rigged, becomes original "race-trim" and a sought after sort of competiton "patina."

Like you, I'm just skipping those pesky years in between.

Does anyone know if people sell or swap parts at Carlisle during the Replicar weekend? Would something like these lights show up there?

There's a regular treasure trove of parts there...Not sure if you eould find your lights but you will find lots of stuff. Door handles, carbs, emblems, books and more.

Bob:

Conservatively estimated, there must be 5 or 6 acres of swap parts tables there. All kinds of stuff, but not all of it VW or Porsche. LOTS of Fierro-type stuff and LOTS of tools - especially specialty stuff. You'll love it!

Don't know if these are the correct ones but here ya go...

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42607&item=7971059718&rd=1

You could go for the fog light / driving light combo popular in EWurope in the 1960s. I like the look on my car but every one of my friends says "what's up with the mismatched lights....couldn't find two the same??"
They just don;t get it.

Tony

Ben - thanks for the ebay site..they look good, but I'm trying to find the ones that have the grills/ lens guards on them, like the ones Jim Ward put on his new Speedster. I may have to put these on the "watch" list though.
Tony, I think the car looks great, even if it does have two different lights (Ha). Are you attending Carlisle, that looks like a great ride.