The Eye of the Projector Lens

[Cory Wolfe]

Recently, one of the fog light housings on my Golf failed and let water drown out the bulb, lens, and optics. The result was destructive corrosion that ruined any chance of salvaging the light. So, as anyone clearly would, I set out to tear it all apart and find out what makes the projector lens work in such a superior way over a reflector optics lens more commonly used throughout the auto industry. The answer is quite simple, literally. The eye of the projector lens is just a small domed glass lens held a specified distance from the bulb and optics. A cut-off shield is in place to do what the name suggests; cut off the light from projecting into unwanted directions.

Apparently, you could get the "super-lite" option on 1969-1970 Dodge Monaco's which added a single projector light to act as a mid-beam. It hadn't been used previously since acetylene headlights were the mainstay.