Pete, I'm somewhat bemused by this whole T-3 thing.. my originals from the '69 were pulled for Cebie (?) quartz lights in 70 and 71 and the T-3 s went into their boxes. Couple of years ago one of the quartz guys got smashed and they arent replaceable so.. tossed a T-3 in, it's still there.
Over the weekend I was talking to a car buddy and he said he had a dozen or so squireled away,
wouldn't say what he thought they were worth, but I should get that one out of
my grill..
(up til then, the most use they'd had was one was borrowed by a racer so he could have decals made for his '68 Chevelle race car's "lights")
hhmmmm..
Glen
-- Edited by racer6929 on Monday 15th of October 2012 07:14:00 AM
-- Edited by racer6929 on Monday 15th of October 2012 07:15:35 AM
There are a lot of different aspects to this hobby - like the survey here a while ago tried to identify (the one that said most people here just wanna drive).
I think it's fitting that the FBI agent gets his kicks tracking down obscure, numbers matching, genuine GM bits and pieces. No different than the people who search for the stamps or coins with tiny printing/stamping errors.
One good thing about the numbers people, they do tend to dig up some great info on the old cars - and I think they're responsible for preserving some of the true survivors as historical references for us all.
It'd get boring if everyone wanted the exact same BBC, 4 spd, posi, Torque Thrust II's, red paint, black interior, disc brakes, etc. Or whatever your favorite mix is...
I agree with everything above. The people that track down this obscure stuff help expand the knowledgebase. Personally I love seeing untouched stuff or restored cars with every detail done correctly. I also realize that is not practical or desirable for some (some modifications beg to be done).
I pulled a complete working set of T-3s off my '67 Chevelle 20 years ago & boxed them up, replacing them with Halogen lights. I remember back in 1970 while driving on a trip out west, dad's new 1970 Biscayne took a rock and broke one of its original T-3s. I didn't want to break one of mine all those decades later, especially since replacements were not available except from donor cars (repros came later but are expensive).
For what its worth, GM started phasing in the Delco Power Beam headlights starting with selected 1970 models (the new Firebird, Camaro, Monte Carlo; all large single lights). For 1971 the new Power Beam usage continued onto the Chevelles (it even says so right in the brochure). From what I recall the Power Beam lights for 4-lamp systems were phased in gradually around then. The cover of the 1972 Lemans brochure shows a front end shot with T-3s as lamps. Remember that the picture is probably a product of a styling studio mock-up using off the shelf lights from around 1970. T-3s have a triangle emblem; the Power Beams have a diode emblem.
-- Edited by CdnGMfan on Monday 15th of October 2012 01:54:39 PM
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67 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe, Oshawa-built 250 PG never disturbed.
In garage, 296 cid inline six & TH350...
Cam, Toronto.
I don't judge a man by how far he's fallen, but by how far back he bounces - Patton
They repro the T-3s now (Impala Bobs etc. has them), so unless you are doing a concors restroration, old T-3s are just that ... old T-3s. They are still cool to have if you've got them, but I wouldn't pay about $50.00 (yes the asking price for used) for an old period correct T-3, that might only have a few hours left on it.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Met a FBI agent at the Charleston Show, he had a early Chevy P/up & was a # guy & if part didn't have "A/C Delco" on it [for electrical] it didn't go on his truck, or any other part had to be Genuine "GM" date code correct!! Truck was a BEAUTY but the Guy was "ANAL" on everything being #'s correct, think he should have a Corvette, then he's fit in with those guys!!! Pete
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
There are a lot of different aspects to this hobby - like the survey here a while ago tried to identify (the one that said most people here just wanna drive).
I think it's fitting that the FBI agent gets his kicks tracking down obscure, numbers matching, genuine GM bits and pieces. No different than the people who search for the stamps or coins with tiny printing/stamping errors.
One good thing about the numbers people, they do tend to dig up some great info on the old cars - and I think they're responsible for preserving some of the true survivors as historical references for us all.
It'd get boring if everyone wanted the exact same BBC, 4 spd, posi, Torque Thrust II's, red paint, black interior, disc brakes, etc. Or whatever your favorite mix is...
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Nothing to do with T-3's but the term "OVER RESTORED" comes to mind when I see these 'anal' people with all their #'s matching & date code correct, Alternators starters & distributors etc. Vehicle could have had a part failure 35 yrs. ago & part got 'tanked" back then!! I just can't see the "fixation" with having these replacable parts having the codes,but then again 95% don't drive their cars [other than on & off the trailer] & it's a "pi$$ing contest to see who has the most "over restored" car in the points race!!! I was driving the 52 in a Pouring rain storm the day after i got to W.V. last wk. & got some "strange" looks!! Also found & fixed some water leaks!! Bonus!!!
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
Genuine 1956-71 GM GUIDE T-3® HEADLIGHT BULBS One of our most popular items! Don't sacrifice safety with burnt-out, dim, cloudy, pitted, discolored, hard-to-find or incorrect headlight bulbs.
Only Lectric Limited's Headlight Bulbs are: - Brand new reproduction sets - Produced using original factory blueprints - Correct! Having the original T-3® and GUIDE insignia - 25% brighter than original bulbs - Built for longer bulb life - Officially Licensed - Made by an OEM manufacturer in the U.S.A. - Available for many GM makes/models - see below - Sold in complete sets only (2 or 4 bulb sets) Great care was taken to improve the photometrics and candlepower of these bulbs in order to meet the current Federal Highway Safety Standards, without compromising the original lens prescription.
Our 1956-58 bulbs will fit, and be correct for, all 1956-58 GM vehicles with a 2 headlight bulb system using 7" bulbs.
Bulb Size: 7"
Complete set includes (2) hi-low beam bulbs.
Part #: SB5657S
Our 1958-59 bulbs will fit, and be correct for, all 1958-59 GM vehicles with a 4 headlight bulb system using 5-3/4" bulbs.
Bulb Size: 5-3/4"
Complete set includes (2) hi-low beam & (2) hi beam bulbs.
Part #: SB5859S
Our 1959-69 bulbs will fit, and be correct for, all 1959-69 GM vehicles with a 2 headlight bulb system using 7" bulbs.
Bulb Size: 7"
Complete set includes (2) hi-low beam bulbs.
Part #: SB6169S
Our 1960-67 bulbs will fit, and be correct for, all 1960-67 GM vehicles with a 4 headlight bulb system using 5-3/4" bulbs.
Bulb Size: 5-3/4"
Complete set includes (2) hi-low beam &(2) hi beam bulbs.
Part #: SB6067S
Our 1968-71 bulbs will fit, and be correct for, all 1968-71 GM vehicles with a 4 headlight bulb system using 5-3/4" bulbs.
Bulb Size: 5-3/4"
Complete set includes (2) hi-low beam & (2) hi beam bulbs.
Part #: SB6871S
Why you shouldn't buy an old bulb (used or N.O.S.)? If you were to buy an N.O.S. (new old stock) bulb from a vendor at a swap meet, the going price per bulb would almost equal what we charge for our complete set. And what the vendor doesn't tell you is that when you go to energize your newly purchased N.O.S. bulb, it may instantly burn out, or is certainly destined for a very short life. Obviously. this is also true of bulbs purchased from junk yards.
The reason is simple; these bulbs were not designed to last 40 years. What happens to these bulbs (even never used bulbs) is that over time, they can develop cracks in the varnish (seal) on the back of the bulb. Once a crack develops, air can enter the bulb (which is under a sealed vacuum), and the filament will instantly burn out if power is applied.
Why do we sell our bulbs in complete sets (not individually)? In order to comply with the current lighting standards, our new T-3 bulbs had to be manufactured to meet current federal lighting standards. Consequently, our T-3 bulbs are about 25% brighter than the originals. They do not project the typical dim, yellow cast as the original bulbs did; leading to difficult night time driving. (For those of you who are concerned about having your car judged, the level of bulb "brightness" is not a judging criteria - but at least you'll be able to see when you drive) If you were to replace only one bulb, you would instantly notice the brightness difference when placed side-by-side to your old, original bulbs.
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
I think it's fitting that the FBI agent gets his kicks tracking down obscure, numbers matching, genuine GM bits and pieces. No different than the people who search for the stamps or coins with tiny printing/stamping errors.
One good thing about the numbers people, they do tend to dig up some great info on the old cars - and I think they're responsible for preserving some of the true survivors as historical references for us all.
It'd get boring if everyone wanted the exact same BBC, 4 spd, posi, Torque Thrust II's, red paint, black interior, disc brakes, etc. Or whatever your favorite mix is...
I agree with everything above. The people that track down this obscure stuff help expand the knowledgebase. Personally I love seeing untouched stuff or restored cars with every detail done correctly. I also realize that is not practical or desirable for some (some modifications beg to be done).
C2 says ......I do agree with the correct cars expanding the base... I should have qualified, that I have had experiences (not good) with the totally anal hobbiests.... They do tend to have no tolerance to anyone who is not as anal... If I am to tolerate them.. they need to cut others some slack....
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Go to your local parts store and ask for a Wagner brand replacement halogen H5006 i belive, they are now made with a plastic backing and the lens is glued on, go check it out
if you could cut the face off a T-3, the new wagner halogens should be easy to cut apart, and i think they are only about 8 bucks each.
Just go see, all the new stock seems to be this plastic backed kind.
Now that i think about it, its still a sealed beam, so if you cut it open would that release the gasses inside???
-- Edited by beaumontguru on Sunday 21st of October 2012 01:04:53 PM
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Beaumontguru
MY BEAUMONT HAS 4 STUDDED TIRES AND 2 BLOCKHEATERS......AND LOTS OF OIL UNDERNEATH. The other one has a longer roof.
I thought the 1972 ones were interesting, i have a 66 beaumont grill hanging on my wall and it has a complete matched set of the original 1972 T-3 bulbs, i never knew why they did not have the triangle in the middle, now i know!
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Beaumontguru
MY BEAUMONT HAS 4 STUDDED TIRES AND 2 BLOCKHEATERS......AND LOTS OF OIL UNDERNEATH. The other one has a longer roof.