[Closed] I just acquired a Design Studio 1954 Buick Century

Nice score, Bob. I had a hardtop version once with yellow headlights that were almost orange. I used to think this was accidental and due to some aging process and chemical instability of the material used in the lenses however, I am less certain now.

I know that many French replicas had yellow headlights and I have seen uncommon colored Motor City USA products in European collections. Could it be that Parill, Novak and co. made some special models for export to France? As you can see, I don't have an answer. Just enjoyable speculation.

On this subject, I have replaced lenses from time to time with those manufactured for model railroaders. Of course they are available in many colors. I have inserted a pair of red lenses in quad headlights for emergency vehicles although I would never do so with a stock version.

I agree. My Record '52 Chevy (built by Marque One) has yellow headlights.

Thanks for the replies Randall and David. I have seen some models here on the 43rd forum with yellow headlights like both
of you mention. I went back again and checked my hardtop just
to be certain that the lenses were not tinted and they're
not.I also checked my 52 Chevrolet models by Record and they
too are not tinted. If memory serves me, it seems like I have
seen the 52 Chevies with amber parking lights.

(Pic) I looked my 1954 Buick Century HT and the headlights are not yellow. I have the box indicating American Model and curiously it is written Design Studio on the baseplate. I took the picture on Toys for Collectors website (Patrick Lacombe)

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(pic) Here's a quick shot of my Record Chevy's front end. The orange/amber parking light seem to be painted, and the headlights are very professional, with correct chrome trim but yellow (but not red) lenses. The brake lights are red paint.

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The yellowing might be the glue interacting with the lenses. Headlight lenses should never....

....be yellow. I do have the same Record Chevy convertible model and a 1960 Red Impala hardtop by American Automobile Models that have yellowed lenses. It doesn't look right and I wish I could replace them. I honestly do not think they were made with yellow lenses. Why in the world would anyone with their right mind do that?? It is some sort of aging and the glue.

Only my opinion and as such, doesn't mean much.

Patty, Record Chevrolets and Pontiac came in kits with yellow lenses when new.

As I recall they were not made for the USA market.Maybe one of our senior members can shed light on this?

Also believe that Eligor put yellow headlight lenses on its models of the 1962 Corvair.

Thanks for the picture Michel. The lights on my hardtop look exactly like yours. Still wondering why the headlights on
the convertible are red.

French cars of that period had yellowish headlights

Record is French. Eligor is French. Norev (from which the Eligor Corvair molds came from) is French. See a pattern? I used to have a bunch of Norev plastic models - they all had yellow lenses.

Back in the '60's many British Dinkies and Corgis had yellow jewelled headlights, while Solido, Politoys, Tekno, etc. jewels were clear - go figure!

But Tekno did have yellow lenses...

on their French cars!!! 🙂
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Tekno - Vilmer Renault 4CV

Yellow Headlights

Hi Folks: Just to let all of you know that France-the only Country I at least know
of had mandatory yellow-non seal beam lights on all vehicles thru the early
60's. At that point France switched to White seal beams like the principle other
nations of Europe. I clearly recall having to go back to New York City the day
after Labor day in 1959 to pickup my 59 Peugeot 403 which I purchased new in
France on September 17, 1958 and shipped back home in August 59 upon the
conclusion of my 18 months in France, courtesy of my "Friends and Neighbors.
French model makers naturally used yellow lenses on their models representing
the French vehicles of that era, and by extension American cars as well since
they saw very few actual American cars. That logically settles this issue.

Why yellow? it penetrates fog better, or at least that was the reasoning..

Why yellow?...Because they are French!