Tuckers and their headlights

[Guest]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had any information about the headlights on a tucker and whether they turn in response to the steering wheel's direction.

I read recently that they were fitted to the 1948 Tucker.

Cheers

Duncan

[Guest]

The original design drawings of the Tucker showed front fenders that were separate from the body and turned with the wheels. This meant the headlights, which were mounted on the fenders, turned with the wheels and illuminated the direction the car was going on corners.

This feature proved impractical, and the production Tucker had conventional fenders and headlights. But they mounted a third headlight in the middle of the hood and connected it to the steering so it steered with the wheels, illuminating corners the same way as the original design.

[Guest]

Thank you, that's a useful fact to know.

More and more manufacturers are using Adaptive Headlights which turn with the car - especially here in Europe. I wonder if this was a Tucker first

[Guest]

I believe Tatra had it first as a production item, but it was available through the aftermarket in the 1920's.

I am sure TatraMan can elaborate.

[Tom]

I heard that there was an electronic switch that made the center light blink on and off when the wheels were turned. How big was that center light it looks bigger than the other two and when seeing the center light turned it looks like the glass turns and not the housing how was this all connected did the cable or bars from the steering go to the headlight and hook onto it somehow? This is the thing I have been totally stumped on since getting into the Tucker car are there pictures out there that show how this is done? Or any pictures of any kind on how this works? Thanks!

Tom

[Guest]

Ace trucks out of Ohio (1918-1927) had headlights that steered with the front wheels factory-built.

[Tom]

Hi all,
Im curious to know what kind of micro switches were used in the Tucker that made the center light blink on and off. Thanks Tom

[Tatra Man]

As far as turning headlights, technically anything that turns is called a turning light and not a headlight. As someone mentioned before, turning lights were available aftermarket early on. The original Tucker design by George Lawson featured two turning lights (built into the cycle fenders which turned with the steering), and one center headlight. When Alex Tremulis took over from George Lawson, Tremulis' initial designs also had cycle fenders with lights built in. He later changed the design to normal fixed fenders with a center turning light.

In regards to the Tatra and turning lights, a diagram does exists showing that the 1935-8 T77 Tatras might have had an electric servo that moved the center light one direction only. Unfortunately the diagram does not explain what direction the light could be turned or what the purpose of turning it was. Did the light turn to the side of the road for better illumination? Did it flip down to reduce blinding or confusing oncomming traffic? No one knows and none are known to survive.

Incidentally, the initial purpose of the Tatra's center light was not an additional third headlight, but that of a fog light. But as things progressed, a center headlight or fog light was possible.

[plancor 792]

In order for the center headlight to turn on you had to have high beams selected. The center headlight then came on any time the steering wheel was turned 10 degrees off center. The center headlight lens was a Guide Tilt Ray as used on the 39 Che. Part No. 923344 however a 36-39 Chev Part No 919787 would work.
The center headlight bulb was a GE 6-8 Volt spotlight.
On the first 25 cars, that is Serial No. 1001 through 1025 the light was turned by mechanical linkage from the left front wheel. On 1026 through 1050 the mechanical linkage was replaced by a cable. Cable was not nearly as good as the mechanical rod linkage setup.
The two micro switches could be adjusted to properly turn on the light when the wheel was turned.
Those micro switches were Part No. BZ-2RL2TO4 and made by Micro Switch Freeport, ILL.

Richard

[TUCKER]

I SEE A PICTURE OF THE TATRA UNDER TATRAMAN, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THAT INTERESTING LOOKING CAR.