Collection: Classic & Collectible Cars

Classic Cars: Bulbs You Can't Find Elsewhere

Collector and vintage vehicles use bulbs that modern catalogs have abandoned: old bases (P45t, BA20d, S2, R2, BA21d), 6V voltage, sealed beam headlight formats, yellow bulbs for regulatory authenticity pre-1993. Pharos Boutique maintains an exhaustive range to allow for the restoration and daily maintenance of these vehicles — from popular cars of the 50s to GTs of the 70s, as well as vintage utility vehicles.

European Code Headlights

The "European code" refers to the asymmetrical beam to the right, designed for right-hand traffic (France and continental Europe). It gradually replaced the old symmetrical codes in the 1950s-1960s. P45t and P36d bases equipped the sealed beam headlights of French and European cars until the 1970s-1980s.

A specific feature of the sealed beam headlight: the glass, reflector, and filament are one unit — the entire assembly is replaced as a single piece. This was the standard before the widespread adoption of modern H4 bulb headlights (the H4 itself appeared in 1971 with the Volkswagen Beetle).

Yellow Bulbs: History and Regulation

A little French history: from 1936 to 1993, France mandated yellow headlights for all vehicles registered in its territory — a unique decree in Europe, justified at the time by the desire to distinguish French vehicles from foreign ones in case of conflict (the measure was introduced on the eve of World War II).

The obligation was abolished in 1993 during European harmonization: all new vehicles have since been equipped with white lights. But for collector vehicles, many owners wish to keep the yellow bulbs — it is an aesthetic choice of authenticity, perfectly legal on vehicles from before 1993. Pharos stocks bulbs with integrated yellow glass (R2, P45t, and even yellow H4) for this use.

6 Volts: Cars Before 1960

The majority of mass-produced French cars before 1960 operated on 6 volts: Citroën Traction Avant, first-generation 2CV, Renault 4CV and Dauphine, Simca Aronde, Peugeot 203 and 403, Panhard Dyna… The generalized switch to 12V occurred gradually in the 1960s.

A 12V bulb installed in a 6V vehicle does not light up sufficiently; conversely, a 6V bulb in a 12V vehicle burns out immediately. The complete 6V range (6V H4 headlights, 6V BA15S signaling, 6V R5W, 6V T4W, dashboard) is available — rare outside of restoration specialists.