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unity spotlight on a 1941 60 special

Started by mr41cadillac, September 12, 2015, 05:03:55 PM

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mr41cadillac

I have an old un ity spotlight. it has only one wire coming out near the handle. how is thsi wired , I thought I needed 2 wires /? also would this be appropriate on a 41 60 special thanks john

Steve Passmore

It would only need one wire if it uses its own body as the ground.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

35-709

#2
To check it out clip a wire from the battery ground to the spotlight housing (such as at the mount) and the positive wire to the one wire you have --- if the bulb and socket are good the bulb should light.  Positive ground?  Doesn't matter for testing purposes, but if you like, hook the positive to the housing for a ground and the negative to the bulb wire, mox nix.
1935 Cadillac Sedan resto-mod "Big Red"
1973 Cadillac Caribou - Sold - but still in the family
1950 Jaguar Mark V Saloon resto-mod - Sold
1942 Cadillac 6269 - Sold
1968 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible - Sold
1950 Packard 2dr. Club Sedan
1935 Glenn Pray - Auburn Boattail Speedster, Gen. 2

35-709

#3
Quote from: mr41cadillac on September 12, 2015, 05:03:55 PM
also would this be appropriate on a 41 60 special thanks john

Where would it be mounted, on the "A" pillar with the control handle inside?  This, I believe, was an accessory --- dealer or owner installed.  In MY OWN OPINION, these things stick out like a very sore thumb and spoil the body lines of the car.     
1935 Cadillac Sedan resto-mod "Big Red"
1973 Cadillac Caribou - Sold - but still in the family
1950 Jaguar Mark V Saloon resto-mod - Sold
1942 Cadillac 6269 - Sold
1968 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible - Sold
1950 Packard 2dr. Club Sedan
1935 Glenn Pray - Auburn Boattail Speedster, Gen. 2

Bill Ingler #7799

Hi John: I have owned a 41 60 Special as well as now a 47 convertible. I never thought a spotlight would look good on my 41 60 Special. The lines on a 60 special in my estimation do not lend to adding a spotlight. If I were to add a spotlight to any 41 Cadillac, it would be only a Lorraine spotlight. This light has a tear drop design which looks better on a 41 than a round spotlight such as the Unity.

If you do decide to install a spotlight make sure you use a true 41 60 Special template to position the mounting bracket correctly on the pillar post. Even with the correct template, a fraction of an inch off in the placement of that template will result in not hitting the center of the inside windshield molding. I installed both the spots on my 47 convert and it took plenty of measuring and re-measuring in placing the template before I did the drilling. To work on old cars is fun but not that day of drilling.

One other word of caution on installing on a 60 Special, coupe or sedan. If I am not mistaken, the body harness runs up inside the left front pillar post, then next to the top and over both doors back to the trunk. The dash harness is joined to the body harness under the back left part of the dash and then up that pillar post. Maybe someone who has installed a spotlight on a closed car can respond as to the difficulty of drilling with those wire in the post.   Bill

TonyZappone #2624

The old time ''41 experts like Don Gilbert, Johnny Linhardt, etc. insisted that only Appleton and Guide were used originally.  Quite frankly, from what I have just seen with these replies, most of the old people that knew that fact, are probably no longer around.  I took advantage of no one knowing any better, and installed two new Unity lights on my '47 convertible.  They really look good.
Tony Zappone, #2624
1936 Pierce-Arrow conv sed
1947 Cadillac Conv cpe
1958 Cadillac conv
2016 Cadillac CT6 Platinum
2022 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle

Philippe M. Ruel

Quote from: Bill Ingler #7799 on September 12, 2015, 07:32:42 PMIf I am not mistaken, the body harness runs up inside the left front pillar post, then next to the top and over both doors back to the trunk. The dash harness is joined to the body harness under the back left part of the dash and then up that pillar post. Maybe someone who has installed a spotlight on a closed car can respond as to the difficulty of drilling with those wire in the post.   Bill
Installation may not be through body pillar, but through door panel, next to vent window regulator handle.
This is how the dealer installed the Appleton spotlight on my '52.
Plus, it will not affect body rigidity - but did they really care back then ?
1952 60 Special in France.

JoeCeretti

I couldn't find a way I was comfortable with to install spotlights in the pillars of my 60S. The pillars are so thin.
1938 60S nearly done and then destroyed by fire :(
1989 Buick Riviera (Arctic White Paint / Blue Cloth Interior)

harry s

I have a nice Appleton for a 1941 that is available.    Harry
Harry Scott 4195
1941 6733
1948 6267X
2011 DTS Platinum

mr41cadillac


Paul Phillips

John
Not wanting to weigh in on the aesthetic, but Bill's caution about the body harness in the driver side A pillar is very important. There is not that much room in the core of the pillar for the harness, and to expect it to lay out of the way of a drill bit is highly optimistic. An original harness would also be brittle and insulation could be compromised with even a slight contact with the drill. Repairing damage to the harness in the pillar woul require partial removal of the headliner in that area.

Hope you get what you want in looks without any extra problems.

Paul
Paul Phillips CLC#27214
1941 60 Special (6019S)
1949 60 Special (6069X)
1937 Packard Super 8 Convertible Victoria
1910 Oakland Model 24 Runabout

harry s

John, I paid $400 for it a couple of years ago with the intention of putting it on my '41 67 series limo. The limo driver compartment is cramped since the seat only adjusts about 3 or 4 inches. It is a tight fit even without the spotlight. I would like to get my money back plus whatever shipping would be.    Harry
Harry Scott 4195
1941 6733
1948 6267X
2011 DTS Platinum

mr41cadillac

thanks all I have decided that a spotlight on the 41 60 special would look  out of place on this car. I might put it on my 28 model a roadster thanks for every ones ideas. john

JoeCeretti

I came to the same conclusion on my 38 60S. I held it in place a number of times and could never find a way that it would really work properly.
1938 60S nearly done and then destroyed by fire :(
1989 Buick Riviera (Arctic White Paint / Blue Cloth Interior)