Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[AustinAnnie]

Not posted on here in a bit...

I'm trying to find some wartime style headlamp shutters/dimmers for my 1934 Austin 10 Lichfield; I've had a google but can't seem to come up with anything.

Finding out the proper name for them might be a good start...

Can anyone help me with the correct terminology and a possible source? Is there a good web resource for this sort of thing?

I know my car's not "wartime" but I'm hoping to do a quick bit of scene-setting as a 10-year-old car in use during 1944. Despite an older restoration and more recent recommissioning my car looks like it's had a bit of use so I think 10 years old is perfectly believeable.

Would the windows have had tape on them as per domestic windows? Would there be highlights on the wings to help the car stand out in the dark?

Any tips for other equipment from those who remember or re-enact would also be useful. I already have reproduction papers (fuel ration book, driving licence etc) and some newspapers/magazines to scatter artfully on the back seat, and I have my trusty vintage clothes and accessories to wade through to complete the driver's look, I just want to get the exterior of the car correct.

Thanks in advance!

[Roger-hatchy]

I'll copy and paste the request on another site, if thats OK

I know someone who organises a lot of 40's re-enactment weekends, and classic vehicle shows, in Lincolnshire.

He might, or should, know of were to get the relevent info for you

Roger

[AustinAnnie]

Thanks Roger - that's most kind

[traction39]

Jerry can?

[traction39]

On a more serious note look here:

http://www.homesweethomefront.co.uk/web_pages/hshf_car_enlargement_pg.htm

and their main site,

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/war/blackout.htm

[Riley Blue]

Here are some:
http://uk.ebid.net/perl/auction.cgi?auction=26983716&mo=auction

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORGINAL-WW2-HEADLAMP-BEAM-BLACKOUT-DIFFUSER-/180505458304

[AustinAnnie]

That is amazingly helpful, traction39; thank you!

So only one headlamp would've been in use, and that with a "slit mask" fitted to it.

Matt white paint on the bumpers, running boards and wings - I need to find some paint I can wash off after use, though I will forgo painting the edges of the running boards as they are quite porous.

[AustinAnnie]

riley541 - many thanks. I've also found another on ebay and have set those on my watch list.

Originally I assumed that a pair was required, but the poster that traction39 directed me to says one (and other headlamp not in use) so at least I'm not going to buy double the amount I need now!

I wonder if it was nearside or offside that was left in use. Common sense would tell me offside, but I have just found a photo of an Austin with the slit-mask on the nearside lamp.

[traction39]

There were a pair of headlamps for sale on ebay last week still with their war time blackouts attached!

[47Jag]

Annie,

The mask would have been fitted to the nearside headlamp. The reason was that that headlamp had a mechanical dipping mechanism which when dipped, tipped the reflector down but also switched off the offside lamp.

Art

[AustinAnnie]

Great info - cheers!

I've also just spoken to one of our customers who is old enough to remember the war and he has given me some valuable info too - plus he told me a fantastic story about when he was a butchers boy during the war and when out on deliveries on his pushbike he was witness to a Flying Fortress landing on our beach. Of course he dumped his bike and ran down to the plane and started playing with all the other young lads who had congregated. The police moved them on, he went back to retrieve his bike and found that half the town's weekly meat ration had been nicked from his basket. He got one hell of a hiding from the butcher! Great story, and if I hadn't started researching headlamps I never would've been told it

[Roger-hatchy]

Have sent you a PM

[AustinAnnie]

Many thanks to those who offered advice. I am know the proud owner of a headlamp mask and I also know how to white-up my wing edges without causing lasting damage.

Cheers!

[Rob]

Saw this one at a museum a couple of months ago

http://art-deco-uk.blogspot.com/2010/04/austin-10.html

There's at least one car in the Coventry Transport Museum done up as a WW2 period one, with white edges - although i'd be surprised if the majority of cards painted with the white edging were as neat and perfect as most preserved ones are
_________________
Edwardian blog

http://electric-edwardians.blogspot.com

[Rick]