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Headlight Bulb Types
By Brad Ripley
Reprinted from the 356 Registry Magazine Volume 19-4, by kind permission of Gordon Maltby
I regularly get questions about bulbs for the so-called "Euro" headlight assemblies. Euro headlights, and pieces thereof, have been unearthed at swap meets and from the back bins of old VW shops in order to live again on 356 restorations. These are usually Bosch units, although Hella also made some versions. They all have in common a "bulb holder" (see Fig. 1 below, ref. #23) which locks to the back of the reflector (a large spring keeps the tension). Assuming your unit is complete, the inevitable question is, "Which bulb fits which Euro headlight?"
Here a Bulb, There a Bulb, Everywhere a...
EARLY BOSCH UNITS used a simple bulb known as a BA20d (see fig. 2 at right). Note that it has flat prongs at the same height on each side and two soldered contacts on bottom (no prongs for a plug). The normal wattage was 35 watts on the high beam and also 35 watts on the low beam (originally made by Osram, now made by Narva and others, see vendor list below). This bulb locks into the bulb holder first and then the unit is put into the reflector and held down with a spring wire clip. The holder unit provides the electrical contacts to the bulb and the wires from the car are fixed to studs with set screws. See your 356A Workshop Manual, Page L-57 for a photo showing this type of bulb and the holder.
Later Bosch and Hella units used a more distinctive bulb with a large stamped base known as a P45t (see fig. 3 below right). You can see from the bottom and side views that it has an alternating pattern of depressions which match the hole in the back of the reflector. The bulb holder then clamps down over the stamped base, making a tight seal to the reflector. The three contacts on the bottom of the bulb then go into a plastic connector (Fig. 1 below, ref. #6).
These P45t bulbs were available with 45 watts on the high beam and 40 on the low beam (originally made by Osram, now made by Narva and others, see vendor list below). See your 356B Workshop Manual, page E59 for a photo of this type of bulb and the holder.
As a footnote, some P45t bulbs have been made using the halogen technology, i.e., an H-4 tube has been mated to the ancient P45t base to produce a modern type bulb. Presently, the H-4/P45t combo units are available in both 6 and 12 volts.
That Peculiar Parking Light
All these Euro headlights have a parking light bulb mounted in the bulb holder unit (see Fig 1, ref. #24). This 4 watt bulb has a BA20 base (Osram #3892, 6v. and #3893, 12v.). Most 356 models are wired to allow for the parking bulb to be either in the headlight unit or in the turn signal unit. Cars which started out with sealed beams have the wire for the parking light stuffed back into the wire harness casing.
Learn about "sealed beam" vs. "Euro" style headlight assemblies.
Sources for Parts Described in This Article
This list of vendors, in alphabetical order, is not necessarily comprehensive, and additional companies may also offer similar products. Note that where possible, links are provided directly to a specific product page if available.
NLA: Headlight bulbs
Stoddards: Headlight bulbs
Zim's Autotechnik: Headlight bulbs
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