Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK

Were these ever common accessories, in the 1950s or 1960s?

Lots of restored cars seem to have them fitted, yet to me they look a little ridiculous to be honest. Everyone to their own I guess Smile

but I really can't stand them.

Still, they don't take long to remove Smile

RJ
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Farmer John · Joined: 18 Feb 2010 Posts: 181 Location: Manawatu NZ

Hi Rick.
If you were to pretty-up your Mk I Zephyr they would be the first accessory to add. If your car from a different maker already had a decent proportion of chrome grille then yes they might be a bit much depending on personal taste. Think of the number of makes which in the following years had enhanced headlight surrounds sort of the same, or maybe eyebrows, and it reveals the Mk I owners as trend setters.
To me, the rounding of the front to look streamlined, early fifties American did it badly, was not what we wanted and we were much gladdened by the "caveman with the strong eyebrow" look which followed.
Consider 100E to Anglia.
Anyway, our masters did not want pedestrians having eyelid shaped wounds so it became an item to fail the vehicle on inspection and they disappeared.

John

Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

No and I agree!
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Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

Quite a few cars, especially BMC, have them incorporated into their 'design' e.g. Riley 1.5 on which they're reckoned to reduce top speed by 5 mph. Personally I think they're nasty but I can't easily remove them as the top of the front wings are shaped rather than round so don't look quite right with 7" chrome rings.

I don't remember seeing the after market ones fitted to cars in the 50s or 60s but perhaps someone did, somewhere.
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Ellis · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 10:28 pm Post subject:

Which of these looks best :

[im

g]

or :

[/im

g]

There's only one answer, do you agree?

I read somewhere many years ago that in maximum speed tests on Sunbeam Rapiers the removal of the headlamp "eyelids" added 3mph to the car's top speed.

Was it true?
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Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh

The Rapier had eye lids as standard but they were all style over function as the competition cars were devoid.

Peter

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Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4857 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
At least they look better than the dreaded eyelashes that so many people are fitting today.
(I was going to say youngsters but I don't think they are the preserve of the young alone)

I think the eyelashes fall into the same category as bullet holes and tiger's tails.
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Keith D · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 1:41 am Post subject:

The eyelids were all the go in the sixties. They fitted between the sealed beams and the headlight surround. We all fitted them! They were a stupid fad of the time just as the ridiculous 'spoilers" that appeared on every boot lid a few years ago. I suppose they may have helped to deflect the highlights reflecting back in the drivers eyes during a thick fog?????

Over here I believe the eyelids are illegal because of potential pedestrian injury, and so they should be!

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22784 Location: UK

I'd never noticed that about road/race Rapiers, makes a lot of sense though!

RJ
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roverdriver · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 8:56 am Post subject:

IIRC they were made illegal in Victoria (Australia) because of injuries to pedestrians. They were known as 'Kidney Choppers'
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ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4236 Location: South Cheshire

They don't do anything for me, I prefer subtle to bling, the after market ones especially look a bit chavy.

Dave

Peter_L · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 9:23 am Post subject: YWK 5 Sunbeam Rapier. 1960

Peter Harper and Raymond Baxter
Car number 325, this Sunbeam Rapier registered YWK 5, was the highest British finisher in the 1960 Monte Carlo Rally, finishing 4th overall and 1st in the 1300-2000cc Series Production Touring Class.

Sisters cars YWK1 to (YWK7 ?) were built. YWK 1 may well be the only survivor

A restored YWK1 was auctioned for over £21K. Story/Photos. See link.

http://www.classic-auctions.com/Auctions/01-10-2010-ThePavilionGardens-1260/1959SunbeamRapierSeriesIIIWorksRallyCar-31977.aspx

mikeC · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 10:07 am Post subject:

They did have a practical side, however; they made a significant reduction in the amount of flareback in the foggy/smoggy conditions of the time.

I'm interested to see that the Rapiers dispensed with their peaks on the Monte Carlo Rally; Maurice Gatsonides went to great lengths to add peaks to his lamps:

This was 1961, but he had been experimenting with similar ideas for the previous ten years.

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7214 Location: Edinburgh