Here is a response I received from someone in Switzerland regarding the difference between 653s and 656s, with the 656s being the correct lights for early California Specials.

Hello. I do have both lamps, 653 and 656. The difference is the bulb. the 653 has a 12V 45W bulb, the 656 has a H1 bulb.
On the chrome housing is written marchal 653, while on the 656 is blank.

Arlie,
here are pics of the 653 bulb and bulb/holder and then the 656 bulb.

Doug

Also look at my other post on pics for both.

http://californiaspecial.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2135&highlight=653

Both lights look almost identical with the exception of the 653 stamped on the outside of the casing. I have both 656's, 653's and 658's. All 3 reflectors are interchangable with both the 653 and 656 housings. For those who are not familiar with the 658, they are the clear driving lights which if you look at my gallery and front on shot of my car you will see the 658 lights. My housings are the 656's. As Doug stated in his previous thread if you can't find a set of 656's then by all means you can use the 653 and few folks will know the difference.

Don

Both lights look almost identical with the exception of the 653 stamped on the outside of the casing. I have both 656's, 653's and 658's. All 3 reflectors are interchangable with both the 653 and 656 housings. For those who are not familiar with the 658, they are the clear driving lights which if you look at my gallery and front on shot of my car you will see the 658 lights. My housings are the 656's. As Doug stated in his previous thread if you can't find a set of 656's then by all means you can use the 653 and few folks will know the difference.

Don


I'm trying to clarify the 656's difference. Beyond the bulb (H1), is the lense identical with a 653.

I have 656 yellow lenses which have the word IODE molded in the upper right portion of the lense. I don't have a clear one, so can't compare. Were 656 clear lenses made with and without this IODE word? Also , were the 656 available with the incandescant bulb or only the Halogen bulb?

As far as chrome ident, am I right to say that only the 653 has MARCHAL 653 marked in the top portion of the chrome front cover. Nothing is written on the 656.

Anyone has a picture of 656 clear lenses to share?

Thanks

All 656 lenses have the word IODE molded in the lens. And all 656's are fitted with the H1 bulb. Marchal used IODE to indicate the use of the H1 bulbs. You can also find the latest 653 lamps fitted with the 656 body, so without the 653 on the rim but with the non IODE lens. These 653 lamps use the BA 21 S bulbs. These can be had in yellow and white and in 45 and 75 watt. Some 656 lamps use a screw in type bulb holder, so you can use an H1 bulb in a 653 lamp.

The 656 lights look like this, with 656 on the left side and IODE on the right.
René

what are the correct #s in the lower right hand side - 14533?

Yes, most 656's are marked 14533 but I have also seen some without these numbers. I think it has to do with the date they were made. The 653's are all marked IGM 1642 PN.