Collection: P45t / P36d bulbs

The P45t base: the sealed beam component

The P45t is a base with 3 positioning lugs dedicated to sealed beam headlights. A particular feature of this format is that the headlight glass, reflector, and filament form an inseparable unit — you don't replace just the bulb; you replace the entire optical unit.

This system, dominant in the United States and on certain European vehicles from the 1940s to the 1980s, was gradually replaced by headlights with removable bulbs (H4, H7) starting in the 1970s-80s — much more practical to maintain.

Vehicles equipped with P45t

The P45t base is mainly found on:

• American cars from the 1940s to 1985 (Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Buick, etc.)
• Certain post-war European cars (Citroën DS, Peugeot 403/404, some older Mercedes models)
• American classic cars imported into Europe
• Older industrial and agricultural vehicles

European code or symmetric code?

The P45t comes in two versions depending on the market:

• P45t European Code — asymmetric beam to the right, suitable for right-hand traffic in continental Europe. Designed not to dazzle oncoming drivers.
• P45t Symmetric Code — symmetric beam from original American headlights. To be avoided in European traffic (dazzles other road users).

For an imported American car driving in France, switching from symmetric to European is mandatory to pass the technical inspection.

Yellow P45t bulbs

For French classic cars produced between 1936 and 1993, P45t bulbs with yellow glass are also available — to respect the period authenticity of the yellow headlights required in France during this period.