Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

[Norris W.]

The dilema: I'm working hard on one of my '63's. It is serial number 43XX and has a D build date......... obviously an early car.

I have 4 sets of fiberglass headlight buckets. 2 of the buckets show no signs of ever having the bottom clips that catch the slots in the bezels. 4 of them have L shaped tabs for screws in from the SIDES of the upper edges. (upper meaning with the headlights open) Some of the hodgepodge of bezels I've accumulated for various midyear cars are face drilled through at the upper front for a long screw straight into the frame of the bucket and some are drilled for the side screws. I THOUGHT I KNEW that the face drilled configuration was early and the side drill was later.

One set of buckets has NO 90 degree brackets for side screws and no signs that they were ever spot welded on and removed, BUT shows no holes in the frame for a straight through the bezel screw either. These are white glass. There is at least one grey glass one that is drilled for straight through the face screws (late glass, early configuration??)

1. Did they ever use a bucket that relied ONLY on the clips at the top and two screws at the bottom into the tabs to hold it on? (ONLY 2 total screws per bucket)

2. What about the buckets that have no signs of the spring clips that engage the slots in the bezel?

3. If I'm going to cut or drill, or add or subtract screw holes and/or brackets, what's the closest to accepted configuration for a 4300 serial numbered car?

I've got AT LEAST 3 different configurations of inner structure in this pile of parts and have no idea which if any were original to this car.

[Gary F.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

Here's a pic of one of mine from my car which is a little before 11,000. They are marked L & R. One worthy note was that the bulb holders have the round center, as opposed to the 64-7 square versions, and they were also Gold Cadmium plated. I found the bulb holders at Ecklers Late Great Chevy, for they are the same configuration as the full size models, but the one's at Ecklers are not Cad plated, they are black, and are the 2 screw type, with the third hole being for the little spring.

Yes, I definately agree about your full name appearing, for it shouldn't be, but in order to post in this forum, you have to abide.

[Norris W.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

That one is very similar to a pair of mine. No signs of the clips that go in the slots on the bezel ever having been there. One question: On the tabs at the top are the holes showing drilled where sheet metal screws could have been, or are those rivets securing the tabs? The ones that I have that have no signs of holes or tabs there have rivets securing the tab.

[Gary F.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

They are rivets on mine, but it being a middle of the road car, I gotta believe there had to be variations on these just as there are on many other patrs of the car. Hopefully someone will chime in who has a car close to your serial number that can explain what's on his or hers.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

I cant comment on whether yours is late enough to have the side screws. It is a later version, but, I can say that at least some of the early cars had no upper screws. The intent was for the clip to hold the top of the bezel. Obviously that didnt work too well as there were several later versions with screws first in front and then in the side.

[Norris W.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

What's really odd about Gary's is that there are no provisions for upper screws, side OR front, and no clips either. I don't see anything to hold the bezell except the 2 brackets for screws in the bottom.

[Gary F.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

What's really odd about Gary's is that there are no provisions for upper screws, side OR front, and no clips either. I don't see anything to hold the bezell except the 2 brackets for screws in the bottom.

Mine is the front screw version as shown in the attached pic. I remember reading somewhere they went to the side screws around 15 or 16,000. I have seen buckets over the years with the clips you speak of.

[Douglas C.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

Norris,

I too have about 6 different parts and pieces of '63 buckets and basically they are either "early" or "late" since I have a Dec. 63 convt and a June '63 SWC. I've collected these over about 20 years.

The early buckets should screw in from the top, front of the bezels, and not have the 90' deg. tabs as you noted for the side-screw style bezels.
The early buckets also have metal clips riveted at the top to engage the slots on the early bezels. (That's what make the early bezels a tough find in good condition.)

Late bezels do not have the tabs and do not have a retainer for the lower screws.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are minor variations on these that I've described.

My late buckets are near mint-but I'm going to have to construct a pair from the various ealy parts for my convt.

A picture here is worth a thousand words here - I'll see if I can get one posted over the weekend.

Hope this helps,

--Doug

[Douglas C.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

One more thing...

I forgot to mention that the early bucket external fiberglass is a simple curved piece, bonded directly to the headlamp supports. You can clearly see the bonding material smeared on the outside of the supports. Very crude finish.

The later bucket skins have side panels that form sides around the headamp supports. You can definitely tell the difference. Much cleaner looking finish on the late buckets.

-Doug

[Wayne W.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

Early bucket with clips. Only has one hole, maybe owner inspired drill.

[Paul Y.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

Doug, mine is a June 7 car and I seem to have early buckets. What part of June is your car? I am not sure what came on my car though. Just curious.

[Norris W.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

I can see how the bucket in post #10 above holds the bezel, with 2 screws at the bottom and the clips at the top, BUT I cannot figure how the bucket in post 2 holds the bezel with NOTHING at the top, assuming the 2 holes showing there are rivets holding the tabs, and only the bottom 2 screws. At least one of my buckets is in that configuration, and I think 2 of them are actually. I'll try and get some pictures tomorrow. Right now it's looking like there are at least 4 different configurations in the buckets and 3 in the bezels, in the case of the bezels 2 screws through the face at the top, 2 through the sides at the top, or none at the top.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

I can see how the bucket in post #10 above holds the bezel, with 2 screws at the bottom and the clips at the top, BUT I cannot figure how the bucket in post 2 holds the bezel with NOTHING at the top, assuming the 2 holes showing there are rivets holding the tabs, and only the bottom 2 screws. At least one of my buckets is in that configuration, and I think 2 of them are actually. I'll try and get some pictures tomorrow. Right now it's looking like there are at least 4 different configurations in the buckets and 3 in the bezels, in the case of the bezels 2 screws through the face at the top, 2 through the sides at the top, or none at the top.

The bucket in #2 has the two small holes at the top front. They are for the upper bezel screws. The two larger holes are to hold the light capsules.

[Norris W.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

The bucket in #2 has the two small holes at the top front. They are for the upper bezel screws. The two larger holes are to hold the light capsules.

Wayne, I'm not so sure about that. At least one of the ones I looked at yesterday, and I think a pair actually, had rivets in that position and no holes there. I THINK that's what we're seeing in picture 2 also.

[Tom P.]

Re: Man, have I gotten confused on '63 headlight buckets

I remember there was an article in the Restorer about 63 headlight buckets. Long time ago. Might be worthwhile to look it up.