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A different question on rear lights

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 7:47 pm
by j.davis200
My 1960 car has original L549 rear lights, they are handed and the bases are much thicker on the outside than on the inside.
I have a pair of new L549s, not repro, but they are symmetrical, not handed. I would like to fit them when I fit new wings in the next few weeks. I have seen a pair of cast aluminium handed bases on Ebay, they are just mountings not lamp bases, which look as if they would enable the new L549s I have to be used. Are these an original part, what years were they used, and should they be painted body colour?

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:05 pm
by myoldjalopy
My guess is that your new lamp bases are not for a Minor if they are not handed and are for a different car without curves. Or maybe they are for a SII and missing the base. It would help if you posted a link to the Ebay item but, guessing again, they may be the bases for the SII lamps which were painted body colour. I don't know - and someone here may be able to confirm - but I am a bit doubtful if your lamp bases would fit on a SII base, unless they are SII to begin with.

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:55 pm
by palacebear
As MyOldJalopy suggests, they eBay lamp bases sound like late Series 2 Minor lamp bases (1954-56). Please post a link to them so somebody can maybe confirm.

IIRC the Lucas L549 number refers to the red lens only, which was fitted to numerous cars such as the Frogeye Sprite, Jaguars, Morgans as well as the Minor. Bases either painted or chromed were separate and differed in shape for different cars.

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 5:47 pm
by geoberni
Although I am a novice at Minors, I've been studying my Series II quite intently to learn what differences there are from the 1000.
Form the posts above, I'm pretty sure the bases you've found on ebay are for the early SII as per the Potteries link
http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/ID/Lights.htm
I've screenshot the relevant section of the page :
RearLights.JPG
RearLights.JPG (103.49 KiB) Viewed 2765 times
Your new 'L549' are not for your car, you need the ones with the handed bases. As PB says, the number refers only to the red lens, not the combined unit for any particular car.
I'm getting to be a dab hand at rummaging through various stalls at autojumbles....

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 3:30 pm
by j.davis200
Yes, thanks everyone, I have the series two lamps, new, and can see how the body coloured aluminium plinth mounts them to the wing.

So - do I keep my original, pitted, early 1000 type bases when the wings are replaced, fit the new S11 type lamps on repainted plinths, which will look good but be out of period, or look for some new original-type handed lamps?

Are new early 1000 type lamps available? If repro, are they any good? Questions, questions.....

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 4:11 pm
by palacebear
Charles Ware sell the complete lamp assemblies you want. Part no. LMP122 offside and LMP123 nearside. Both currently available from stock (limited stock left). A bit pricey perhaps at £51.59 each incl. VAT.

https://www.morrisminor.org.uk/parts/55 ... 8cc-saloon

https://www.morrisminor.org.uk/parts/55 ... 8cc-saloon

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 4:34 pm
by ManyMinors
If you're looking at the same Series11 mounting plinths on ebay that I have seen, the seller does state that they need attention. And you'll still have to obtain the correct gaskets of course. I would personally prefer to see the correct period lights on any car but the reproduction ones available from Charles Ware etc are somewhat second best in my view and the gaskets supplied are even worse......I would rather fit the best original ones available even if they look slightly secondhand. It is the rather poor quality of such reproduction items that make new/old stock original parts so sought after and valuable.

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 4:48 pm
by palacebear
There are these. Allegedly not repro.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2900475941

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 5:00 pm
by VOP680
I have bought a pair of those for my 1958 four door and the quality is excellent. Trying to find decent gaskets is another matter. I think that the only new wings with the correct fitting holes for these lamps are heritage panels.

VOP680

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 5:51 pm
by j.davis200
Palacebear - Thanks for the link, I've bought them. No food this month? Who cares!

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 6:34 pm
by ManyMinors
They look exactly right. A good buy if you want originality. The correct gaskets are harder to find unless your originals are OK of course.
These lights will fit the hole in the new replacement rear wings BUT to be completely correct you'll need to redrill them as the holes in the new wings are too high up the wings and are positioned for the later lamps really. Is it worth the extra work? That is up to you :wink:

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 7:43 pm
by j.davis200
I'd like to get them just right - can anyone tell me (questions questions...) what the height should be above the bottom of the wing and the distance from the wing join? I think I can cut reasonable gaskets from sheet rubber, maybe even with a rebate for the flange if I am very slow and careful - not a lot at stake if I ruin a few in learning what works! I'll tell you how it goes, with some pictures.

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 5:54 pm
by j.davis200
In the end I bought 2 new rear lamps, handed, complete with lenses and gaskets from a great bloke in Birmingham who specialises in NOS parts.
They are the real thing, beautiful to behold, and I think he has some more.
At about 55 quid each they seem good value to me - looks quite a lot until you price up some modern ones!

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 6:43 pm
by palacebear
Well done!

Is the seller a trader or a private individual?
If a trader, could you provide details please?

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 8:24 pm
by j.davis200
He's a retired Garage Owner who's set up to sell off his old stock, and seek out more NOS stuff - he seems straight to me - and there's certainly nothing wrong with what he sent me - I'll be buying more.

He trades on Ebay as 'Traditional Old Motor Spares' of 107 Walsall Rd, Little Aston, B74 3AY, tel 0121 352 1801.

Good luck in getting what you need.

Re: A different question on rear lights

Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 8:36 pm
by palacebear
Many thanks for the info. :)