PAR-46 deck lights (CHP style)...where to get housing/bulbs?

007 · Post by **007** » Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:44 pm

I am in need of a couple of "old" 6" round chrome lights for use as rear deck flashers on my '90 Caprice. Either 2 amber or 1 amber/1 red with fluted lenses would be great.

I'd like them to be in ok to good shape, "mint" condition not required as they will most likely get painted flat black.

If I can find a pic, I'll post a link here...but I think you guys know what I am looking for. It seems like every LE agency in California used them for years on their unmarked cars.

*edit*

Here are 2 links for what I'm looking for:

http://public.fotki.com/copcardotcom/da ... 08177.html

Close-up:

http://public.fotki.com/copcardotcom/da ... 05450.html

thebigphish · Post by **thebigphish** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 12:30 am

are we talkin like par-46 meatballs here?

techie · Post by **techie** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 12:44 am

looks like a par-46 to me..

Q: what does PAR-46 really mean (two parts).

007 · Post by **007** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:18 am

The only PAR-46 lights I found were moveable spotlights with a little "handle" on the back of the housing.

The lights I'm looking for look more like PAR-48 style, but those aren't it either...those are like KC lites with the wiring coming out the back of the housing.

The lights CHP/LAPD/?? used that I am looking for had the + wire coming down thru the hollow mounting threaded stud/bolt.

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:46 am

You need the PAR-56s!

Post by **HumHead** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 11:00 am

PAR-46 = Parabolic Aluminized Reflector, 46/8ths of an inch in diameter.

Did I mention that my diploma says I'm a lighting designer??

TomSlick · Post by **TomSlick** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 11:56 am

HumHead wrote:PAR-46 = Parabolic Aluminized Reflector, 46/8ths of an inch in diameter.

You learn something new every day!

mastr · Post by **mastr** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 3:11 pm

You could get pretty close with a couple of black 6" unity spotlight heads.

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 3:53 pm

I think Deitz or unity made some of those... The ones in the CHP car are actually deitz ones painted aluminum color.

http://www.unityusa.com/Roadlights.htm

firemanbatt · Post by **firemanbatt** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:18 pm

I have a couple of the housings, but they were fog lights, par 36's. I robbed the lights out of them but the housing is there, a little steel wool they would clean up nice.

Tim

Tech225 · Post by **Tech225** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:57 pm

Those are definately PAR46 lights. Have you tried to contact the guy who has the car in the pictures, or is that from some old picture collection?

chiefops · Post by **chiefops** » Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:38 pm

if they don't have to be exact replicas of california area lights, try mcdermott lights in ridgewood, queens ny, they make the 'riser' light bars unique to nypd highway patrol cars, and make super bright halogen lights in both par 36 and 46.

007 · Post by **007** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:13 am

Check these out:

http://www.grote.com/cgi-bin/product.cg ... mber=64031

Looks like this is what I need.

KG6EAQ · Post by **KG6EAQ** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:21 am

Hmmmm I wouldn't mind something like that for some additional light on the front bumper! I could mount an aircraft landing light in there

Awesome power!

007 · Post by **007** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:23 am

Tech225 wrote:Those are definately PAR46 lights. Have you tried to contact the guy who has the car in the pictures, or is that from some old picture collection?

I have sent him an email. The car is a restored CHP '74 Dodge Monaco. Look at the rest of the pics if you want to see a nice looking Mopar!

It looks like the housings will be coming from Grote, but I need a distributor. Know any?

I'm trying to find halogen colored PAR-46 bulbs...one red, one amber. Unity makes 35w sealed beam in both red and amber, but I wanted something a bit brighter... any sources?

chiefops · Post by **chiefops** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 5:40 am

yes, you can get the bulbs you want from julian mcdermott, super bright.

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:56 am

I have seen the car in person and know the owner, It is a restored original CHP car. All the equipment is vintage CHP or identical.

007 · Post by **007** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 8:53 pm

I'd love to get down to Dallas to see that car, but the show schedules never cooperate with my mine. Oh well.

I heard back from Dave today, and he said either Grote or Dietz will work. I'll be getting the Grote housings soon.

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 6:10 pm

007,

Dave sometimes brings the car up for the Chicagoland emergency vehicel show in August. He missed it last year because of prior commitments. It is an excellent car and a great show..

007 · Post by **007** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:12 pm

Whaddya know, I was gonna bring my 90% restored MSHP Caprice but found out the day prior to me mailing my registration that I had to work an OT shift on the day before and the show day.

I hate having no senority! I think he had a NNO commitment if I remember the discussion on the CCdC forum.

I hope he'll be up there this year...I've wanted to see his car for a while