1936 Headlight Lens Retainer clips

TagMan

Well-known member
I purchased headlight lens retainer clips from C&G (below with an original Ford clip) for retaining '36 headlight lenses and they don't come close to fitting. Can't really blame C&G (although they should have received complaints about them) as C&G got them from Vintique.
Is there any vendor selling the correct clips for the '36 headlight lens ? I checked Bob Drake and the ones they show appear to be the same as the ones from C&G

Thanks,
-Bob

20210623_092527 (2) by TagMan, on Flickr
 
I have used many of the replacement headlight lens retainer clips. No one that I know of makes the correctly configured headlight lens clip. Use a pair of pliers to bend the upper part of the clips, and they will work.
 
Is there any vendor selling the correct clips for the '36 headlight lens ? Thanks, -Bob

I have to say I hate those repro's and can't make myself be patient enough to get them to work correctly. They have both the wrong shape and the wrong spring/stiff ratio. (Ford knew their springs!) Those headlights are fiddly enough trying to assemble without the pain of the wrong part!

Try Michael Driskell at 844-327-5988 (he may be away on vacation?). His website thirdgenauto.com doesn't show them but I understand why.

I know there were a bunch of the originals at Hershey a couple of years ago as I recall in both the V-8 Foundation trailer and in Bob Jones' booth. Michael may have ended up with some of them. I'd judge they are worth searching for.
 
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We likely have them NOS, however we are away until July 5th. The vintique clips I have used on 35’s and 35-39 pickups with no issues. You do have to bend them outward a bit but I just installed some vintique ones on my pickup three weeks ago.
 
36 lights are some of the most frustrating headlights to get together correctly, IMHO
 

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I ended up making some for my '35 pickup from some binder clips.

The stainless thingy is almost the right shape. A little tweaking and you're done.
 

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