'46 chrome headlight trims

[pcb50]

Anyone have any? I would rather buy used than have mine chromed. Must be nice. Thanks. Paul 217 971 5779.

[Bill Ingler #7799]

If you are trying to keep your car authentic, 46 headlight trim rings came from the factory painted the color of the car.  Bill

[gary griffin]

Bill is right as always. I checked Cadillacs of the forties and only the 75 series have chromed head light rims

Sometines we make exceptions for taste though. I am doing a very authentic restoration on my 1942-6719 with the exception of the dual master cylinders for safety and I am having my headlight rims painted to match the body color of the car. Having said that I also have a very nice chrome set that I am going to try out. If I prefer that look the painted ones will go into storage for now. I will probably never be in a show judged by anybody who knows Cadillacs as I live in Washington state.  My wife says it will be too much chrome with the huge chrome bumper and grille, but I am not sure??

[TonyZappone #2624]

My 47 convertible had chrome rims on it when I bought it.  It looks very nice, and of course I would not have them painted.  The car is a CCCA senior, so nobody there noticed either.

[gary griffin]

 
I am probably not going to get a chance to show mine in a CCA event but if I do I will put the painted rims on and of course if my wife wants me to I would also put them on at that time.

I am sort of an authenticity nut but when it can go back to being authentic  in about 10 minutes then I could waver a little bit for enhanced appearances.

[Jeff Hansen]

I checked Cadillacs of the forties and only the 75 series have chromed head light rims

Only the 1948 and 1949 series 75 cars had chrome headlight rims.  They were painted on the series 75 from '42 through '47. 

HTH,
Jeff

[gary griffin]

Thanks for the correction Jeff, I based my statment about the 75 series on a picture in Schneiders "Cadillacs of the forties" and did not read the description of the car saying that the car pictured was original except for plastic seat covers and chrome headlight bezels.

The devil is in the details and research must continue to get it right.

My 1942 is as good as I can get with the exception of the dual master cylinders

I will pack the painted bezels carefully and keep them in the trunk so they will be available later.

My wife says they present too much chrome and if yu see it with painted bezels you will know who won that one.

[pcb50]

Thanks Bill for your comment on authenticity. Of course I'll keep the painted ones, but am looking for a nice set of chrome ones for a change up. I'll even buy one at a time, if that helps anyone. Thanks. Paul.

[Paul Phillips]

If you have a set that was originally painted, they may be a perfect candidate to rechrome. Many of the painted bezels where better preserved than the chrome ones.  If you want to keep a painted set, better to prep and paint a set tat was previously chromed. Seems counterintuitive, but actually the est way to go.

Paul

[gary griffin]

My first call for 40's Cadillac parts is Eddie Jones, 612-558-2629. He has a salvage yard and a wealth of knowledge and always fair pricing.