Licence plate and interior lights - What are they from?

[stugilmour]

I expect this is the first of many questions on my new car.

I have the two dome shaped licence plate lamps that are mounted on the top of the rear bumper. Both have cracks in the top chrome piece, and one has a corroded bulb holder.

What car are these originally made for? I have a Moss Motors MGBGT catalog, and they have one that looks similar (RD/GT 1962-1969 and 1971-1974), but they call up a right and left side variant. Just going from memory, but thinking the MG's had a similar lamp holder, but they may be designed to mount at an angle whereas the Elan Plus 2 needs straight mount.

I think a previous thread indicated the rear interior courtesy lamps come from or are similar to a Cortina. Is there an appropriate substitute, as Cortina bits in Canada are not common. The Moss Catalog shows a couple of models for the MGBGT that might work?

Any help appreciated.

[mikealdren]

Stu,
The rear bumper lights were fairly standard (Lucas) across a number of models in the 1960s and 70s. They were certainly fitted on such bread and butter models as Morris Marinas. I'm amazed that they list them as being handed - I'll look in the garage later at mine. Paul Matty lists original and repro but not handed, very expensive at ?37.5 and ?25.

There have been previous threads about the interior lights, they are like Cortina but there are variants with and without switches. Again they were probably a standard item on period Fords.

Mike

[Elanintheforest]

There were three types interior lights fitted. The early pre-'S' cars had the Cortina style, most of the rest had a VW interior lamp...very easy to find. The third form is a more square lamp, origin unknown, but only fitted to the last 100 or so 130s.

If your car is a '71 it should have the VW lamp, but post up a picture of what you have...it will soon be recognised.

Mark

[gerrym]

Stu, my Plus 2 S130 (1972) interior lights were cracked and pretty dire. "Replacement" Hella VW bettle lights were a bit shorter and narrower. I ended up making new metal mounting boxes in stainless to get a proper fit. See attached photo of original mounting box and replacement stainless complete with new light. The new boxes need to be installed along with the head-lining.
Regards
Gerry

[stugilmour]

Here are some photo's of the courtesy light assemblies on my car. The lens in the pic is from the front one, which has the switch built in to the assembly. The assembly back/bulb holder is one of the rear ones that does not have a switch. The lens covers appear to be different with and without the switch, but they are close enough to be interchangeable.

Ideally I would get:
- a lens cover for the switched assembly (mine is a bit worn but not cracked).
- two unswitched assemblies complete with lenses and bulb holder / back pieces (one of mine is broken, both are missing the lens covers).

What is definitely needed is a least two lens covers, or the lamps will have to be completely replaced. There is not a lot of depth available for mounting, so pretty sure replacement choices are limited. These are different than the 130S versions posted already. Mine fit flush on the headliner, and only protrude behind the headliner panel about 3/8". I will be replacing the headliner anyway, so a reasonable substitute is OK if these are now unobtainium.

Any help appreciated. If anyone knows of something similar in something like a MGGT or some such it would be helpful. In Canada I have limited availability of used parts from older British sedans, but the availability of MG, Triumph, Jag, Healey, etc. is actually pretty good.

[oldokie]

You might try a search of past postings, I dimly remember someone having some of these made, sorry I don't recall who it was. Good luck!