VS headlights...am I an idiot?

Okay, well I'm getting to the point in my build where I can finally start putting parts on and checking fit etc. I ordered a pair of headlight bucket assemblies from VS and I must be stupid. I can't see a logical way that they attach. There is the one screw at the bottom that obviously screws in, but how is the top secured? There are the two screws on either side towards the bottom that seem to release the inner piece that somehow holds the headlight in place. The fibergab build manual shows an additional piece that screws into the body up top. Do I need something like this. For all you guys that are rolling your eyes, sorry if I'm asking a stupid question, I tried to search before asking :)

You're absolutely NOT an idiot. There's probably not a person on this forum who could figure out the 'bucket' headlights on the first try.

The build manual for my car looked like this (from the library on this site):
https://www.speedsterowners.com/library/cmcmanual2/images/cmc29.jpg
It should look like this when you're done:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_h4_headlamps/mult_h4_headlamps_pic11_big.jpg

I've taken them out of the car twice since I did it the first time, and it didn't get any easier with effort. It kind of goes together from front to back. The list of parts should be something like a chrome outer ring, a piece of glass, the bulb itself, a marker-light bulb, two long adjustment screws, a nut-and-bolt combo that goes through the body, two rubber seals, a greenish bucket and a wad of little spring-clips that look like bent coat hangers.
As best I can remember, you take the big chrome jobber and insert a rubber seal into it. Add the piece of glass. Add the bucket'shaped piece. Insert the little bulb. Add another rubber seal, and drop the headlight in carefully. Muddle your way through adding the clips (someone else may be able to describe how that's best done -- but more is better -- and then insert the set-screws from the front until they grab and hold the metal flanges dog-eared off the bucket.
You'll have the bolt assembly left in your pile, and some electrical connections to make. Make the connections, and PRESTO.
Be prepared to smoke a half-pack of smokes and drink a delicious and refreshing beverage whilst regaining your composure between takes.

Why, even Alan Merklin had to ask, "Fathi-minna, vas es der verks der kaputlichtinzie? Kinen 'splainen der klips?"
Things were so much simpler in 1937.
His Dad reportedly replied, "Alan, that junk is German. Put it in the recycle bin."

I'm going to "assume" that a Vintage is put together with some german (or knock-off german) headlight bucket. The bucket in this picture is a 911 bucket, but the same idea applies. You actually hook the chrome piece over the top of the lip. That part of the lip is taller than the rest. Then screw the assembly from the bottom. Horrifying as it sounds, that is all that holds the headlamp assembly to the car. It does work, and it has worked for more than half a century.

Now assembling the headlamp, glass, trim piece, wacky little triangle shaped springs that blow out of your hand and shoot across the shop. That's just an entertaining little puzzle. Put it together in your living room because there is probably thick carpet there. When you drop the bucket you won't break the glass (go ahead and ask me how I know this...). I highly suggest you wear safety goggles. The nasty little clips can definately get away from you!

Alot of the fellas on this site have had problems being able to get the full adjustment on the headlight alignment. I also had that same problem on the spyder. I followed their directions to extend the alignment screws by using a piece of vacuum line. Try it first, but if you have problems, that is a solution that thus far has last me 9,000 plus miles.
angela

Tnx Cory ...made my day!

Hey Thanks Cory and Ang! I think I get it now. I guess my question now is the "lip" that the chrome piece slips over...is that something that can be purchased or manufactured. If I need to make one, anyone have some quick dimensions? The VS ones I bought came only with the buckets themselves (I guess this is what was confusing me, because I saw no way the top stayed in). Anyway, you guys are always so great at answering my "newb" questions. Thanks for all your continued help!

Eric

Eric,
On a 911, the "lip" is pretty much the same size all the way around. On a VW bucket, the "lip" has a high spot on the top that is a couple inches across (maybe varies by year - I'm not good on VW's...)

Even on the 911 pictured above, that lip is big enough to hang the chrome piece on. We have VW headlamp buckets in the spyder. The upper lip is quite pronounced and the chrome piece fits over and "pops" on. The screw at the bottom (make sure you place it carefully...) keeps it from popping back out/off. We have to squeeze the chrome piece by hand to get it to pop over the lip.

If you're still "stuck" take a pic of your headlamp bucket and the headlamp assembly. I guarantee someone on this site has EXACTLY the same setup you have and will walk you thru it.
angela