Re: IML: 60 accesories/Headlight Dimmer Tool

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

I have the same tool with the same tag. It is used to adjust the "eye", not only after installation, but whenever something was changed in the car. This could be the addition of a trailer hitch, or some other modification that changed the position of the headlight dimmer in relation to the road. It was part of the regular maintenance of the vehicle to check the adjustment of this accessory, hence the need for this tool was widespread among the dealerships. I don't think very many of them ever really got used.

In 1960 the headlight dimmer was installed at the factory. There were plenty of aftermarket units available. My '55 has an Autronic Eye mounted on the dash. It is much larger than the units introduced in the early '60s. It appears as though it may have been installed at the factory, but I believe it was done at the dealer. It is painted the EXACTLY match the dash, so it was very expertly installed.

Frankly, I have several cars with this feature. It is more of a curiosity than anything else. Several of them still work, but inconveniently dim or brighten at inopportune times. Later ones are infinitely adjustable, but still can present a problem for other drivers. 

Paul W.

In an email dated 1/10/2005 2:04:56 pm GMT Daylight time, "imperialman" <imperialman@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

>Greetings fellow imperialists
>
>When I purchased my 60 Custom two years ago I also received with it a box of miscellaneous small parts
>
>As the story goes the gentleman who owned the car had been a long time mechanic at the local Chrysler dealership.
>Over the years he ?had accumulated a ?nice collection of parts for the car.
>This past weekend I found in the bottom of this box of parts a bubble level tool that I guess? is for the adjustment of the automatic
>headlight beam changer.
>
>What ?surprises me is the large yellow tag attached to the level that gives instructions for installing the amplifier unit and wiring the scanner.
>Unless I am reading the tag wrong does this mean that most auto headlight dimmers were dealer installed?
>
>I had always assumed that the automatic beam changer was a factory installed option .
>
>Forty five years later I guess it doesn't make much difference except that if my auto dimmer WAS dealer installed they sure did a nice job !
>
> ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Clay Smith
> ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 60 Custom (auto dimmer works perfectly)
> ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 67 Crown Coupe (I have to dim the lights manually)
>
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