Any '54s Have Quad Headlights?

[Biscuitbuilder]

Quad headlights, as mentioned above, were legal in some states but not others at first. Once they became legal across all states, they were quickly adopted by the big 3. No carmaker wanted to be left out of this latest styling rage. I think Cadillacs were the first American cars to offer them. At the time, they were considered symbols of automotive "luxury", like whitewalls and full wheel covers. Everybody wanted them, and the carmakers quickly obliged. In just one quick model year, even a lowly Ford or Plymouth offered "quads".

It's hard, even for us older guys, to remember a time when virtually all automobile specs were the province of the various state governments--no USDOT back in the 50's. Headlight laws were a 48-state (50 after July 1959) mish-mash. Some allowed this, some forbade that.

Headlight laws in about half the states allowed for only two headlights (Tucker, for example, planned to cover the center swivel headlight with a chomed cap for sale in those states), and were very recalcitrant about any changes. Beginning in the early 1950's, an interstate compact (like a treaty, but between the various states) began to circulate, allowing for multiple headlights on cars. That agreement became effective on January 1, 1957, but it's ratification by the final state legislatures came too late for automakers to make the change for 1957 (only Chrysler and Ford were planning all new bodies and styling across their lines for '57, GM, AMC and Studebaker-Packard were to make do with serious facelifts only).

Chrysler was the first to offer quads, beginning installations in the 300C for delivery in states where they were allowed, in December 1956. Nash and Hudson followed very quickly, as did Lincoln (the '57 Lincoln was an odd mix--6.5" dual filament sealed beams above, 5.5" high beams below).

Cadillac, and the rest of GM held off until the '58 model year, as did Studebaker (who stamped up some pretty ugly fairings to bolt onto the front fenders which dated from 1953, giving them an almost "bug eyed" look, not at all attractive.

Biscuitbuilder

[Hollywood Jim]

No quad headlights until 1957????

Faget'a bout it...

1937 Pierce Arrow

Edited January 12, 2008 by Hollywood Jim

[MrObsessive]

Cadillac, and the rest of GM held off until the '58 model year, as did Studebaker (who stamped up some pretty ugly fairings to bolt onto the front fenders which dated from 1953, giving them an almost "bug eyed" look, not at all attractive.

Biscuitbuilder

Actually the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham had them (intro'd late '56), but at $13,000 and some change they were hardly numerous on the roads.

And yes, some states considered the cars illegal until that states particular legislature passed the allowance.

.........................about Studebaker/Packard-------Yikes! You ain't kiddin'!

I saw very few of these as a little kid.................it's no wonder!

1958 Packard