Need Help - 37 Ford Headlights

Hi all. I'm a new member, name's Howie. I have a 1937 Ford Slantback. I ordered Vintique, Inc. headlight buckets, rims and lens. Want to replace a body color headlight assembly with the original style lights.

Here's the problem. While mocking up the new headlight assemblies I found nothing I purchased fit. Parts miss stamped. Top headlight retainer will not match lens, and one retainer has a striped screw.

Rims don't fit - fits tight on one side but large gap on otherside of the same bucket. This is true for both buckets.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you get the assemblies to fit AND look good.

I can't return the buckets due to some modifications I had to do to the back (under fender) of the buckets. So I think returning all the stuff is out of the question. My problem - I assumed all would fit.

I'm wondering if Bob Drake buckets are made any better.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Howie, welcome to the forum.


I bought a set of '37 taillights from Vintique, and was a little underwelmed at the quality. I think they were made in Taiwan or similar. From everything I have seen, Drake makes nice stuff. I have a set of their '46 Ford Hubcaps that are about 17 years old, and they are just like new today.

I can't speak about the headlights, but maybe someone else on here can.

Really hate to see this happen. For the longest time hot rod parts were pretty good quality, but it seems some of the foreign junk is starting to be supplied by companies we have come to know and trust.

We got into VW bugs when we built my one Son's cal-look bug, and the majority of the parts we bought for it was pure junk. Flash chrome plating and very thin body parts that were not close to fitting properly. Even the big names like Scat and Empi had some real crap.

Call them and complain. Can't lose anything.


Don

One of the problems with Backorder Bob (that would be Drake) is that not everything he sells is made to a higher standard. He actually has a couple people on staff whose job it is to de-identify parts he procures from others, such as Vintique, Carpenter and so on, and then repackage the parts in BD packaging. That's not necessarily bad, but if for instance the headlamp assys he sells are in fact Vintique you may not/wouldn't gain a thing. Hope someone with firsthand experience can tell you if they're different.

Thanks to all reponding.

Before I posted my problem, I emailed Vintique. Explained my problems and my disappointment in the quality, etc. I actually felt I would not get a favorable reponse.

Yesterday afternoon I recieved a call from Vintique. We talked in length about the products and the fit. Vintique told me new parts are being shipped to me. They even made sure the parts fit before shipping. Now this is customer service!

Here's a manufacturer that really does care about their customer. I appreciate their concern and readiness to resolve. I'm a happy camper thanks to Vintique's interest in their customer's complete satisfaction.