Head Light Reflectors made from Ford Print

I have 1948 Jaguar P100 reflectors with Uvira coatings that are as good as new after 30 years. Can't wait to order 2 sets for my A's Art Bjornestad
 
I frequently drive our "A" at night. Club tours include dinner somewhere, then we drive back to the hotel from there in the dark. Our local street meet starts at 6 on Saturday and goes until after dark. If we go out to dinner in the "A", we drive home in the dark. I don't want to be limited to daylight only driving.
 
Purdy Swoft said:
I've just got to wonder how many that was bitten by the poorly made aluminized reflectors in the past, will trust that the new ones will be any better.There is a saying about once bitten.
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With the wonder of the internet there will be a lot of reports either good or bad shortly after they are introduced. If they are good they will sell like hot cakes (I can hardly wait to get a set). If they are bad, they won't sell very many. I bet they will be good.

Charlie Stephens
 
The aluminum coat will definitely not be the problem. Reflector telescopes have used an aluminum coat with a SiO2 (essential glass) over coat. Very near the reflectivity of silver, without the tarnish or scratches. Now if they get the geometry right...that's the rub. (proud owner of 6" equatorial, a 10" dob, and a 90mm mak. Also builder of a 8" dob that I ground the mirror myself but no longer own)....
 
Has anyone seen a projection on the cost of the new reflectors from Brattons. I know someone said in an early post from last February about $125 for a pair. I wonder is that amount still accurate?
 
I think they are here.

http://www.brattons.com/product.asp?P_ID=1661

17940.jpg


These reflectors are aluminum plated. The same process as the seal beam light in modern cars. The new brass reflector is aluminum plated, polished and sealed from the air with a 5 year guarantee from tarnishing. The aluminum finish has the same 90% reflection as the original silver plating, but silver will tarnish in a few months and your reflection will be reduced. To maintain reflectors, wipe down every two years with auto wax. Used 1928-31, Order 1 bulb when you have cowl lights. This pair is aluminum plated one bulb.


Part #17940 $122.25 for the pair
 
beast_3 said:
What is the depth (height?) of original vs. repro reflectors? I see on Marco's headlight page the photo showing the differences but how can I tell if mine are repro or original?

Thanks!
Bob
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check on my repop v original page. Vince has the information on his page also..
 
If you dont mine me asking what was the price? I had my done about 4 years ago from a company in ca. It was around $80.00.
 
Based on an ongoing email exchange with Brattons - the one mentioned in Mike V's post is NOT the Ford print version.

Brattons had indicated to me in an email in mid-Dec 2012 that the final version of the Ford print reflectors would not be available until late March 2013.

They had received some samples that had the top notch cut in at the bottom - from their email:

"The feral notch was notched 180 degree wrong on the sample. You can correct it by placing the top of the reflector at the bottom of the bucket. But placement of the V will not be 1/16” above center but 1/16” below center. This may throw off the light beam. If you would like you might use a drivel tool to place a correct location of the notch."

They were selling these samples at a reduced price if you wanted to modify the notch. I've waited this long, I decided to wait until the correct ones are available.

They also indicated the new Ford print reflectors, when available, will be priced at about the same as the one posted.

Of course things may have changed, but I specifically asked about part #17940 and above was the reply.

I also can't imagine they would use the same part number and not mention in the description that they are Ford print version...

JMHO - yours may vary...
 
Depth of reflectors: OEM vs Repro.


I measured the difference between an original 1930-31 reflector (from a truck headlamp). and the chrome-plated repros that came in my '28 Special Coupe (source unknown).

The original reflectors are about 1/4" deeper, if I remember correctly. This was taken with the reflectors laying face-down on a hard table, measuring through the socket hole to the top edge of the socket ferrule, with the sliding depth gauge of a Stanley folding carpenter's rule.

And for what it's worth, I'm running one of the OEM '30-'31 reflectors in the repro '28-'29 headlights on my coupe. In spite of deteriorated silver plating, the beam focus is a lot better than with the repro reflector in the other headlight. (Same type bulbs in both lamps: original 1110 GE bulbs.)

I'll double- check and re-post.
 
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To add more confusion to all this I asked Brattons about the reflectors. I asked; Are these the reflectors that were made from the Ford prints? If so how can they fit all years?

Their reply "The reflectors were made to fit all 4 years What are you looking for?"

So are these the fabled Ford print reflectors changed just enough to physically fit the buckets of all years or are we still waiting since "Brattons had indicated to me in an email in mid-Dec 2012 that the final version of the Ford print reflectors would not be available until late March 2013"?
 
Guess I'll reply to their last email (so they have the entire thread) and ask them specifically again...

I'll post what they reply...
 
OK - here is my email to Brattons and their reply (in bold and underlined)

**********
Walt-

This topic has surfaced again on the Ford Barn, Model 'A' forum.

Someone saw your item number 17940 and thought that was the new Ford Print reflectors.

Based on the email discussion we've had, I indicated that 17940 is not the new Ford Print reflector.

In these latest postings to the Ford Barn thread, there were comments that the original Model A reflectors did not fit all four years. 28-29 are different from 30-31. Yet the reproductions currently available are mostly advertised as fitting all four years...

Which brought up questions about your new Ford Print reflectors (due late March 2013 at last update).

Someone called your office and got what they felt was a vague answer, so I thought I'd email you to get the best answers.

I think it would be helpful if the following specific questions were answered. I will post the response to the Ford Barn, so everyone has the same information.

1) Are the new, final version, of the Ford Print reflectors available today?

These are finished due to arrive late March 2013

2) When they are available, will they be assigned a new item number(s)?
(i.e. different from the four currently available - 17940 & 17950 and 17960 & 17970)?

No we will discontinue the old style

3) Do you have the final price determined? If so, how much?

Not Yet

4) Will the product description include a specific indication that they are the new Ford Print reflectors?

The April 2013 catalog will indicate the new tooling. The word TOP is stamped in the rim where the cork is located on the new tooling

5) Which year(s) will these new Ford Print reflectors fit?

1928 - 1931

6) Will there be different versions for different years?

No the 1928 to Feb 1929 did not include a double lip for the cork to stay in place. We did not make that style

Thanks for your time - there appears to be a lot of interest in these Ford Print reflectors...

Aluminum coating is the same as in our modern 2013 seal beam and reflectors in the low 90 % the same as silver – chrome reflectors reflect in the 70%

**********

Hopefully this helps... I. personally, am still confused about the years they will fit, but it doesn't really affect me since I only have a '31...

FWIW
 
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