Lancia Motor Club

General => General Chat => Topic started by: DavidLaver on 13 January, 2015, 12:54:24 PM



Title: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: DavidLaver on 13 January, 2015, 12:54:24 PM

It was the headlight covers that caught my eye in this photo.  I also couldn't work out what was going on with what looks like a single spot light in the middle.  It could just be the way the light catches it but to me it looks a bit like a telephone dial.  (What's a telephone dial dad?)  Click on the photo for what I think is a better version.  What's "missing" is the overhead wiper - not for Mexico.  I've never got to the bottom of what exactly got fitted to B20s and the like.  Just "another" or a boat or aircraft type?  Was it a spare for when the standard one break or the primary?

http://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/cars/snapshot-1952-last-fuel-stop-desert?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Auction%20Time%20in%20Arizona%20E&utm_content=Auction%20Time%20in%20Arizona%20E%20CID_fd67e1b7ed6af2311cc437ee1ec592ab&utm_source=newsletter

David


Title: Re: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: mikeC on 13 January, 2015, 06:35:24 PM
Interesting... I wonder whether the centre spotlight is, in fact, some kind of horn - siren, even! - to blast the  locals out of the way!


Title: Re: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: stanley sweet on 13 January, 2015, 07:03:25 PM
Never seen anything like that before. Is it possible it was to engage a starter by turning the crank over if all else fails?


Title: Re: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: frankxhv773t on 13 January, 2015, 08:50:53 PM
I did some browsing on Carrera Panamerica 1952 Ferrari for images and came up with these. They don't answer the questions but may stimulate debate.



Title: Re: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: DavidLaver on 14 January, 2015, 09:40:48 AM

Maybe that "light" is in fact for inflight refuelling...


Title: Re: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: fay66 on 14 January, 2015, 09:45:49 AM
Just blown the picture up and there's a label that says "insert Starting handle here in emergencies" ;)

Brian
8227 8)


Title: Re: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: frankxhv773t on 17 January, 2015, 08:31:09 PM
I wonder why this is the only one of the team cars that has this fitment.


Title: Re: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: stanley sweet on 19 January, 2015, 10:19:05 AM
.............unless it spins and cuts the bodywork and tyres of the car in front? How can we find the answer? This is bugging me now.


Title: Re: 50's road racing - headlight covers
Post by: DavidLaver on 19 January, 2015, 07:52:26 PM

I'm wondering if it was to signal.

David