9 replies to this topic

[Didymus]

Models of Le Mans Alfas and other race cars from the Thirties often have red headlights - or at least, red-colored lights mounted in the place of headlights. I assume these are accurate depictions, but can't even guess why Le Mans racers from that era would have large red lights in the headlight position. Although the red color seems to cover the lens area, it's possible that they are some sort of opaque shrouds, rather than actual lenses. There are also some rear lamp setups which seem odd to me. Does anyone know the reason for the red lights? Or other info about Le Mans and other European racing lighting configurations in the 30's and 40's?

Didymus

[David Birchall]

Those were covers to protect the headlights during daytime racing-probably intended to offer a degree of streamlining as well-not sure what they were made of but someone here will know.

[Arjan de Roos]

And I thought this thread was about these red lights (seen AvD Oldtimer GP 2007) :

[tam999]

Pre-War Alfa driver Scott McLenahan recently contacted me with the answer to precisely this question.

Over the years I've enjoyed seeing McLenahan's 1930 Alfa run at the Monterey Historics with what looked like three red headlights. The car's effect is especially striking on foggy mornings.

Click on the link below and scan down to McLenahan's explanation of the red headlight covers (highlighted in red)

http://www.tamsoldra...ahanAlfa30.html


Tam McPartland

[scags]

I've also seen Millie Miglia pictures with the two outside headlights pointing to each other, towards the centerline of the car.

[SWB]

to McLenahan's explanation of the red headlight covers (highlighted in red)

They were translucent red celluloid, a derivative of nitro cellulose, and also commonly used in film substrate from the period. It was molded into many things, and that Alfa should use it as a 'warning' signal would be typical bravado. On some photographs you can even see a wire mesh cover over the red cover, although I would guess they were mostly sacrificial consumables.

[KWSN - DSM]

A little of subject.

At least in the 1980ies the cars ran covers on their headlights as longs as they did not need them.

Some 'manufactured; than others. I believe that the Joest Porche, which won in 1985 used yellow tape.

[David Birchall]

Of course, no Bentley was ever built with 6 volt lights so we can disregard that!

[Allan Lupton]

Originally posted by David Birchall
Of course, no Bentley was ever built with 6 volt lights so we can disregard that!

Or racing Mercedes either.
When what you know about is wrong, why believe the rest?

[David Birchall]

Well, I don't think we need to get our knickers in a twist about it-my reading of it is that most Americans would think that English and possibly German cars of the twenties and thirties were 6 volt like the American cars of that period. In fact most were 12 volt.