Does anyone know why the T3 headlights used on a 1972 Olds would have had the T3 code at the bottom of the light versus in the center?

Inquiring minds want to know....

 

This has been discussed in other threads on here many times. If you search on the term "T-3", you'll likely find them.

To answer your question, the design and placement of the T-3 insignia did change over the years. Here's a chart that was posted in one of those other threads. It's a little small, but you can see what's important. For '72, which is the bottom-most diagram, the insignia was moved to the bottom center of the bulb.

This chart has been posted a number of times on the web if you just google "T-3 chart" or something like that.

 

Are any of these lights worth anything? I think I have a 5 gallon bucket full of them in the basement. Unsure of the years however.

 

I think they would most certainly be worth something, IF they work. As far as what years they are, the chart above should help you pinpoint the range of years, at least. If you can package them up into matched sets of two or four, low-beams only or high-beams and low-beams, so that someone buying can get all they need in one purchase, that would probably help. On the other hand, some people might just need one lamp, so you might want to offer them individually priced but with a reduction of people want to buy a set.

Just go to ebay and search on "T-3 headlight" to see all the listings and what kinds of prices people are asking. Not all have bids, but you can see the listings that do have bids and what prices they're getting.

 

I've seen T-3's going for $125 a set or more.

 

I bought a set of T3's for my car. Only reason was for the period look. They're not great for visibility at night compared to today's cars. But, they are worth something. I paid 80.00 for a set of 4 OEMs. One arrived smashed and was replaced by the seller no charge.

 

Mine came with a set already on it. They seem to last forever.

 

I saw a set on ebay for almost $500, once. I almost fainted. They added in the comments that the lights are worth that for someone who is making a "correct" restoration. But, I see it as gouging.

 

You mean 'gagging' Gee, that would be like paying 20 bucks for an NOS OEM 1157.

Lots of 'resto' parts are jacked - we all know that. The NOS OEM's? I can't believe what people will pay for those. It would be hysterical to see one bought, installed, and found defective. What's the policy on electrical parts again???

 

I can understand raising them a little to try to make a profit, but over $120 a piece for a used headlight is nuts.

Plus, I never built mine as a show car, so it would be even crazier to spend that kind of money on those. I was lucky enough to find a set of Sylvania "white glow" lights at our local Wal Mart.

 

The 72s are one year only so they are quite expensive I find the 68 - 71 for 10 - 20 all the time. I still had a few originals on my convertible so I added the two I didn't have. They are yellow, look nice when parked, almost dangerous at night.

Not sure why they changed the markings over the years, surely just marketing.

 

Marketing?

Who takes into consideration the headlights when buying a car?

 

T3s are reproduced FYI...IDK if they reproduce the 72 style....

 

I like that!!!

 

I'll give you 15.00 each and promise not to sell them for more than 100.00 each

 

More people than you'd think.

 

I think it's zero.

I'm not talking about the general placement of the headlights as part of the overall design of the front end of the car. I'm talking about getting your face two inches from the bulb and worrying about the placement of the manufacturer's logo. No one does that when considering the purchase of a car (or of a headlight). It would be like taking into consideration the placement of the word "Guide" on the taillight lenses.

 

Really, re-read some of the pickapart threads on peoples cars and tell me how **** some of these people are.

 

I'm not saying that people don't inspect parts closely to make sure what they're buying, including logo placement, is correct for their year.

What I'm saying is that GM most certainly did not take into account placement of the T-3 logo on headlights as part of any kind of marketing strategy, which is what stevegerard asserted several posts back and what I was originally responding to.

No one walks into a new car showroom and includes a close-up inspection of the logo placement on the lightbulbs when deciding which which car to buy. ("Gee, I don't want to buy that car. The T-3 logo is on the bottom, not in the middle, like it was last year.")

 

To that point I agree - back then no1 even gave it a second thought.

 

Back in the years - If I was looking at a car that I was interested in and it was supposed to be low miles - the T3 headlights were the first things I would notice and look for on the exterior. And still today at shows it is one of the things that stands out on a restoration. Some might call it **** but these are GM parts, Guide being part of GM.

I used to have sets of these for both two and four headlight systems just not knowing if I would ever need them. the pack rat in me. Over the years, gave them or sold them to others who were restoring cars. I had NOS in the box of the 72 style and did not know what they were for.