H1 or H4 Headlights

[Ashbaxter]

Still sorting through parts for the '71 Conda restoration I have come across the headlights.
They are H1s which I assume came on the car originally. They need some work and I stumbled across John Audettes site with pricing to restore/refurbish them...pricey but work looks good.
Other option is to replace with H4s, which would probably cost about the same as the H1 refurb.
I'm inclined to refurb the H1s as |I believe them to be original.

Thoughts?

[Merv]

This thread last year may help Ash. https://www.typ901.org/forum/forum/t.../7459-new-h4-s

Merv

[ELSPORTO]

If the "chrome" reflectors inside your H1's are good, its very easy to restore the rest by yourself.
I bought restored chrome rings from John, but easy to get yours rechromed if they're not dented (mine were) I painted the housings and cleaned up the rest by hand. Replaced the seals etc. Took a day to do both properly and was pretty rewarding.

[mrar]

H1's all the way.
H4 s are so......wrong.

[Merv]

It all comes down to the quality of the reflectors. If the old H1s are not great, that is why many folk have moved to the H4 conversions. The key point is run them with extra relay/s to maximise the current at the bulbs and that, with good reflectors, gives a safe light.

[PD Targa]

Ash, I've purchased a pair of H1's from John, not cheap but he does do great work. I didn't have a pair of H1's to restore myself.

[Ashbaxter]

Restore them I will
The reflectors far from perfect but should clean up ok and the chrome rings should come up well with a polish.
Does anyone know where I can get the screws from as I can only find them in a kit with the rings

[Fishcop]

Ash, just remember the original and efficient finish is not chrome...

Physically it'll look okay parked in chrome, but practically the light output is useless. I went down this path with my H1s using a high quality chrome specialist. There is science to it all, but basically chrome absorbs too much light and of the wrong wavelength - you get dull yellow beams. The correct finish is a vapour aluminium or silver - and I believe this is what Audette does, but you can coordinate the process yourself - pretty sure there is still a provider in Australia, and I know there is several providers in the UK - thisone specialises in mail order http://www.ashfordchroming.com/headl...ng-restoration Auto Foreign Design (Eric Linden) remake a lot of the screws and odd parts.

Given the value of H1s now, I would do it properly, or use H4 lights which are vastly superior in design and operation to H1. I chose H4 specifically for my old car based on regular nighttime use; I used ceramic globe holders and added relays... Almost modern

[Ashbaxter]

I hear you John
after pulling one apart today to see some corrosion on the reflectors I think I'll send off to get done properly, can't really go wrong given what they are worth

[Merv]

Really do put relays in the buckets Ash if you want any kind of decent light.

[mrar]

I wonder how many early cars are driven at night or early morning when the roos are out,not many I think as as you keep hearing people saying they are too scared to drive their car at all because it worth so much now days or is really rare. I find the H1,s to be just fine (plus they are the best looking head light to look at on the early cars imo) and haven't yet found the need to fit relays...yet. If your really worried and can't see,fit driving lights to complement what you have.

[Merv]

There is always a time. Hey what would we know? Measure the voltage you have at your lights. You will be surprised how much you are missing. Hugh put me on to the relay and direct wiring mod.

[reedminor]

I have more modern globes - but not so powerful anything will melt, and relays.

Only done last Friday - so I haven't yet been able to test. I do occasionally drive the car at night, but avoid dusk and dawn.

But anything would have been an improvement over the aging candles I had before.

JR