S1 number plate light

[jkatthehelm]

Hi
Does anyone know wehre I can get a proper S1 number plate light? My car went to Canada with it's previous owner and returned minus may bits, this among them!!
Tx
JK
_________________

[paddy]

Robinshaw and Ross says that the following part was used on S1-early S3

Lucas
Model: Sparto
Part no: 5832

I can't find any reference to any such fitting from any of the usual classic parts suppliers. In fact the only reference to this I can find anywhere on the web is one of the threads in this forum saying that the part no was found on one of the FHC interior lights. (See http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2634).

Does anyone know if it was really the same part on S1-S3 ?

Paddy

[Barney]

If the same as the S2 then it should resemble the dashboard courtesy light except that it is minus the switching mechanism and the notch cut-out for the switch toggle on the chrome casing.

[Bill]

On my '63 Elan 1600 (26/0538) the interior courtesy light is Identical to the liscence plate light (origional stock)

Triumph Spifire I believe.

Keep your stick on the ice !!

Bill

[jkatthehelm]

Tx to all so far; afaik the numberplate light doesn't have the switch, and is a slighty different part which I too have failed to source - so I think I'm looking for one on someone's shelf!!
JK

[paddy]

Mine definitely doesn't have the switch. I can upload a photo if required.

Paddy

[Elanintheforest]

The switched light is from an MGB, and was often fitted as a replacement when the original became unobtainable. The S3 Coupes had the same (non switched) light on the dash and on the rear pillars...3 in total.

I found my numberplate light on eBay a few months ago. They are out there, but may take a bit of hunting down.

Mark

[jkatthehelm]

Paddy, tx, would love a photo!
Mark, tx also - what did you pay, if you don't mind me asking???
Email is [email protected]
Cheers
J

[Elanintheforest]

Just noticed, JK, you have a Coupe as well. See if this is the same as the lights in there...should be! I think I paid about $35...it was on eBay US.

The rubber gasket for the rear lamp is available from the Type 26 register (Club Lotus) via Tim Mees.

Mark

[paddy]

Well, mine looks nothing like that (see photo).

I don't know for sure whether or not this is original. All I do know is that there are quite a few parts that were different on very early S1 cars (mine is 0071) from the "mainstream" S1 so maybe this is another one. I know Tim Mees has another very early car - perhaps he can corroborate?

Of course, I could claim that this is the lightest lamp fitting I've ever seen, so it's got to be the original

There are no discernable markings, either manufacturer or part number.

Paddy

[Elanintheforest]

Tim will know...there are a couple of guys in the register with very early cars.

Looking at the S1 '1500' brochure doesn't seem to help much, but here it is. Does your rear light have a rubber gasket? Does your interior light look like the S2 one above? These may be clues!

May be worth checking early road-test photos as well.

Mark

[1964 S1]

Hello JK, my original rear plate light is identical to Mark's photo. Half chrome, trapezoid, plastic clear ribbed lens. Two very small flat head screws hold the chrome shield on. I believe numerous British cars used this assembly, including Jaguar but I have no part numbers. Eric

[paddy]

I have no gasket on the number plate light. I have to say that the picture in the brochure looks more like Mark's light than mine.

The interior dash light is identical to Mark's photo except that it has the switch.

Paddy

[Elanintheforest]

Sounds like you may need two as well Paddy!. But do check out with Tim. He'll be very interested in your car as well, and he's only down the road in Wokingham. You will be in danger though of joining the bunch of originality nuts...I'm a fully paid up member!

I'd be interested to see pics of your car. I was after a S1 until recently, then an Elite turned up that I couldn't resist, so I've gone back further in time than I expected to and missed the S1...for now!

The Elite has two separate 'dome' lights for the numberplate, similar to the Plus 2. I'd have thought that if an early S1 had anything different to an S2 in this area, it would relate more to the Elite, rather than have something completely different to both cars. But you never know with older Lotii.

Mark

[jimj]

I think Paddy`s photo is of one of the pair fitted on S3s. The interior light on the dash. in the S3 looks the same as Mark`s photo of the S1 number plate light.
Jim