T3 Head Light Date Code

[Dave69x33]

What is the typical date code spread between the headlights and the car's build date? 

The date code on one of two T3's that I have (one lamp does not have an ink stamp date code), stamped on the back side surface in a reddish brown ink, is "L 6012 32 9 19 12V" (see picture). 

Based on the date code info I have, this code is:
L = ?
6012 = lamp trade no.
32 9 19: 3 = month or March, 2 = line no., 9 = year, 19 = day of month, thus March 19, 1969
12 V = 12 volt.

My ’69 Norwood build car is 05A.  My 3/19/1969 lamp date code is about 5 week prior my car’s build date.  I would not expect that lamps sat around long before being pulled for assembly.

Has any one recently purchased the latest T3 reproduction lamps?  Are the DOT markings and glass molds identical or very close to an original?

[jeff68]

I purchased a set of repros from Rick's.  Next to a set of NOS T-3s you can tell the difference.  By themselves with nothing to compare to, I think you would have a hard time identifying the specific differences.
I don't plan on driving at night, so I'm going to use the NOS lights.
PM me if you want a deal on a set of new repro lights.

[JohnZ]

On the T-3 reproductions (made for Lectric Limited by Wagner Electric), if you look REAL close, you can see the "DOT" (vertically) on the extreme left side of the photo below.

[Dave69x33]

JohnZ,

I see the DOT on the repro which is not on the original lamp.  I inspected my T3's again and also found in the upper left quadrant of the lamp (front face of lamp facing you) molded in the glass is "8203" on one and "8205" on the second lamp.  Do you happen to know what these codes stand for?  See picture for reference.

Also, do you happen to have your orignal headlamps and know the date codes versus the build date of your car?

[JohnZ]

My original T-3's are long gone. The 8203 and 8205 are most likely mold numbers for the lens half of the lamp; they don't show on the Guide blueprints, so they weren't an Engineering requirement.

[68camaroz28]

Our 68 Z has the orig. T3's and they are both dated late October 67 and the car was built 01B.