64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

[David L.]

Enclosed are photos of inner (GM # 5955498) and outer (GM # 5955500) headlight buckets (called "headlamp mtg. rings" in Gr. 2.726). The black painted buckets are stamped "A" (inner) and "B" (outer) while the NOS yellow cadmium buckets are stamped "98" (inner) and "00" (outer). The "A" bucket is basically the same as the "98" bucket and the "B" bucket is basically the same as the "00" bucket. I do not remember where I got the black painted buckets as they are common on many GM models in the mid to late 1960's. I believe when I did my frame up restoration of my 1966 Corvette from 1980 to 1995 the original buckets were painted black but at the time I did not pay much attention to the stampings on the buckets. I don't even know where my original buckets are located in my collection of hundreds of boxes. During my restoration I installed a pair of NOS "98" and a pair of NOS "00" buckets which were from Delco boxes (black & gold) with November 1967 date codes on the flaps.

Note that the open slots (for adjusting screws) are slightly different when comparing the black buckets to the NOS buckets.

I have two questions.
Are assembly line 1964-1967 headlight buckets stamped "98" & "00" or "A" & "B"? The stamping is on one of the tabs.
Are assembly line 1964-1967 headlight buckets painted black or are they yellow cadmium plated? I tend to believe that they were painted black.

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

stamped "98" & "00" or "A" & "B"? The stamping is on one of the tabs.
Are assembly line 1964-1967 headlight buckets painted black or are they yellow cadmium plated? I tend to believe that they were painted black.

Dave

David,

I think all 64-67 cups were originally yellow cadmium. (they almost look like some sort of yellow galvanizing) Same for pass car. In fact, I think all 58-63 cups are yellow cadmium also, although a slightly different design.

I'm not sure when the black cups first appeared but a guess would be around 68 or 69?

[Joe L.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

Enclosed are photos of inner (GM # 5955498) and outer (GM # 5955500) headlight buckets (called "headlamp mtg. rings" in Gr. 2.726). The black painted buckets are stamped "A" (inner) and "B" (outer) while the NOS yellow cadmium buckets are stamped "98" (inner) and "00" (outer). The "A" bucket is basically the same as the "98" bucket and the "B" bucket is basically the same as the "00" bucket. I do not remember where I got the black painted buckets as they are common on many GM models in the mid to late 1960's. I believe when I did my frame up restoration of my 1966 Corvette from 1980 to 1995 the original buckets were painted black but at the time I did not pay much attention to the stampings on the buckets. I don't even know where my original buckets are located in my collection of hundreds of boxes. During my restoration I installed a pair of NOS "98" and a pair of NOS "00" buckets which were from Delco boxes (black & gold) with November 1967 date codes on the flaps.

Note that the open slots (for adjusting screws) are slightly different when comparing the black buckets to the NOS buckets.

I have two questions.
Are assembly line 1964-1967 headlight buckets stamped "98" & "00" or "A" & "B"? The stamping is on one of the tabs.
Are assembly line 1964-1967 headlight buckets painted black or are they yellow cadmium plated? I tend to believe that they were painted black.

Dave

Dave------


I think these are later pieces. I agree with Michael that I believe the black painted rings started about 1968 or 1969. However, it is possible that some black painted rings were used earlier. I think there were multiple vendors for these and, likely, the GM prints specified either a plated or painted finish at the option of the supplier.

However, there are other features that usually differ from the "early" and "later" rings. For one thing, the "early" rings usually are stamped "L-1", "L-2", "R-1", and "R-2". The "later" rings are usually stamped "A", "B", "C", and "D".

Another feature difference is the hole in the rear of the ring. The "early" rings have a completely round hole. The "later" rings usually have holes with the "angular corners" (like the ones in your photos).

I have a whole bunch of NOS examples of these rings that I've collected. I think I have just about every part number that was ever released. I went through them once trying to make some sense out of it, but I eventually lost interest.

[David L.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

Mike & Joe,

I have 4 NOS 58-63 Corvette buckets with only 2 tabs/bucket with what appears to be "yellow galvanizing" and stamped as follows: "L1", "L1", "L2", and "R2". These designations appear in my 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969 Chevrolet Parts Catalogs in Gr. 2.726.
5948825 ("L1")
5948824 ("R1")
5948827 ("L2")
5948826 ("R2")
These 4 buckets were also used on 58-62 Chevrolet Passenger cars except the 60 Chevrolet which used "L1", L2", "R2", and "L1". The 60 Chevrolet did not use a "R1" bucket.

I have a complete set of used buckets black painted and stamped "A", "B", "C", and "D" buckets (w/3 tabs/bucket) which I believe came from a 1969 Corvette as there was one original T-3 headlight that had the following orange ink stampings: "4002", "52", "9", "6", and "12V" (where "52" = May, 2nd line; "9" = 1969; and "6" = 6 day of the month; in other words, May 6, 1969). I think that I got the T-3 date code right.

My question still remains. Did the 64-67 Corvettes have buckets that were stamped "98" & "00" or were they stamped "A" & "B"?

The 64-67 Corvettes used two inner buckets (GM # 5955498) and two outer buckets (GM # 5955550). The 68-70 Corvettes use four different buckets (5955498, 5955500, 5956629, and 5959123).

Dave

[Domenic T.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

Does anyone have a picture of the 63?

DOM

[Michael H.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

Does anyone have a picture of the 63?

DOM

I have a few pic's of NOS 63's but I don't think they're going to show what you're looking for. I can shoot a few more in the AM.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

A print EC block would answer this, but I doubt you'd have a either-or spec on a part from that time period.

I'd look more towards a cost save or they had a corrosion issue, servicability issue and changed the spec.

[Henry S.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

David,
This is a "timely" thread I was glad to see. Two days ago (Monday) I was just out at a local yard "dumpster diving" for T-3's. I came away with 8 (5 with no-line triangle for 60-67) and 3 with lines for 68-71). Along with the headlights I also retrieved the buckets. I specificly remember which headlights/buckets I took off a 67 Impala and they were marked "98 and 00".

[David L.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

Does anyone have a picture of the 63?

DOM

DOM,

Here are photos of my 4 NOS 58-63 Corvette buckets. From left to right: "L1" (left inner), "R2" (right inner), "L1" (left inner), and "L2" (left outer).

I do have have a NOS "R1" (right inner)bucket.
Note: The 60 Chevrolet does not use the "R1" bucket but rather uses another "L1" bucket for the right inner. Don't ask me why just look in a vintage Chevrolet parts catalog.

I bought these NOS buckets back in the early 1980's in Carlisle, PA, and it seems like the seller must have originally bought the 4 NOS buckets for a 1960 Chevrolet but actually two of the buckets came from a NOS headlamp capsule assembly for a 1962 Pontiac Tempest (GM # 5954365) and the other two came from a a NOS headlamp capsule assembly for a 1963 Pontiac Tempest (GM # 5953363).

Dave

[Domenic T.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

David,

Thanks, it was what I was looking for.

I wanted to see if the center hole was round and not square like the 64-67.

Thanks,

DOM

DOM,

Here are photos of my 4 NOS 58-63 Corvette buckets. From left to right: "L1" (left inner), "R2" (right inner), "L1" (left inner), and "L2" (left outer).

I do have have a NOS "R1" (right inner)bucket.
Note: The 60 Chevrolet does not use the "R1" bucket but rather uses another "L1" bucket for the right inner. Don't ask me why just look in a vintage Chevrolet parts catalog.

I bought these NOS buckets back in the early 1980's in Carlisle, PA, and it seems like the seller must have originally bought the 4 NOS buckets for a 1960 Chevrolet.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

David,
This is a "timely" thread I was glad to see. Two days ago (Monday) I was just out at a local yard "dumpster diving" for T-3's. I came away with 8 (5 with no-line triangle for 60-67) and 3 with lines for 68-71). Along with the headlights I also retrieved the buckets. I specificly remember which headlights/buckets I took off a 67 Impala and they were marked "98 and 00".

Henry,

Are the "98" and "00" buckets from the 67 Impala painted black or are they a yellow cadmium plating? The 1967-1969 Chevrolets used a pair of 5955498 inner buckets and a pair of 5955500 outer buckets just like the 1964-1967 Corvettes.
ALSO, could you tell me the date codes on the backs of the T-3 headlights? You have to be VERY CAREFUL cleaning the back side of the T-3 headlights as these date codes will rub off quite easily.

Enclosed is a photo of the backside of a T-3 headlight with the date code.
The date code is "52 9 6" (May, 2nd line; 1969, 6th day of month or May 6, 1969). I believe this is how the code is decoded.
This T-3 headlight has the lines in the triangle (68-71 type).

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

David,

Thanks, it was what I was looking for.

I wanted to see if the center hole was round and not square like the 64-67.

Thanks,

DOM

DOM,

The 58-63 buckets also have only 2 tabs/bucket.
The 64-70 buckets have 3 tabs/bucket.

Dave

[Henry S.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

Henry,

Are the "98" and "00" buckets from the 67 Impala painted black or are they a yellow cadmium plating? The 1967-1969 Chevrolets used a pair of 5955498 inner buckets and a pair of 5955500 outer buckets just like the 1964-1967 Corvettes.
ALSO, could you tell me the date codes on the backs of the T-3 headlights? You have to be VERY CAREFUL cleaning the back side of the T-3 headlights as these date codes will rub off quite easily.

Enclosed is a photo the backside of a T-3 headlight with the date code.

Dave

David, the buckets from the 67 Impala were yellow cadmium not painted black. In fact none of the buckets I retrieved Monday were painted. I may not be able to help much with the dates. REAL BONEHEAD MOVE ....I didn't realize until AFTER I cleaned them about the date. I went back to the shop last night and I was able to find one date. I only looked at the year and remember it was a "9", I will get back to the shop tonight and get the entire date/code. I'm guessing it may/has to be 1959 instead of 1969 because it is the style of light with "no-lines" in the triangle. It had rained here Monday so it was like tramping thru a swamp, I didn't do a very good job of recording which vehicle everything came off of. I just remember the 67 Impala because I looked at the VIN and was interested because my Vette is a 67. Next time out I will record everything. I guess old dogs can still learn.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

Dave,
Thanks again, when I get to the shop I will check what I have.

What I do have are in the cad plate bucket and they were originally cad plated.

Most had a similar dent in them. Years ago I might have thrown a bucket or two on the pile that might have been from another chevy car.

I found a metal bucket on my 63 and who knows what they stuffed it with.

DOM

[David L.]

Re: 64-67 Inner & Outer Headlight Buckets (5955498 & 5955500)

Henry,

When I started "junk yarding" back in the early 1980's I did not record anything. I soon learned to write down the year, model, VIN, and several different date codes to determine when the car was made. Always remember to "bag and tag" just as if you were a CSI agent.

Dave