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MG MGB Technical - 69 B rear lights

A chum at work suggested that the rear lights on my 69 B are the same as the ones used on the 60s Austin and Morris 1100 and 1300 range, I think he is wrong, who's right? And out of interest does anyone know if the 69 B lights design was used on any other BMC/Leyland/BL/Rover models over the years.
Dave

My recollection is that your friend is off by a few years. The Morris rear tail lights were the same as the early MGAs up until about 60, but not like the 69 B. In 70 the B tail lights changed to the amber/red larger lens. The 69s were all red and the same (I think) as Bs ran from about 63 to 69. It's likely that the design was used in other cars, but I don't specifically recall seeing them on others.
Rick Penland

Dave, let me add a few details after looking at some of the numbers so you don't get in a fist fight with your chum --- I would feel terrible. First, the Morris that I'm thinking of is the "Morris Minor" and they had the same tail lights as MGAs used at least through about 1960. However, there was an MG 1100 and I think he's right that they used the same as your 69 should use. I don't recall the years the MG 1100 was manufactured. Also, when he refers to Austin, I'll grant the truth that the Austin Healey Sprite ran the same tail lights after the "bugeye"s were redesigned about the same time the MGAs became the MGBs. Hope that eases a potential confrontation.
Rick Penland

Hi Rick and thanks for the contribution.

We are not thinking of the Morris Minor. We are talking about the Austin and Morris 1100 and 1300 of the 60s. There was also a MG version plus other versions (it was the era of badge engineering). The car is front wheel drive with a transverse engine (like the Mini, it was designed by the same designer). The gear box is in the sump, my dad had 2, an 1100 and after that a 1300 (we were upwardly mobile). I believe the tail lights on the non frog eye Austin Healey Sprite are the same as those on the MG midget. Out of interest there was also an Austin Sprite and these are very rare.
Dave

Theres some great information about it here-

http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?ado16indexf.htm
Dave

Dave

From the Moss USA catalog the tail lamps on the 61-69 AH Sprite/MG Midget are the same.

To check out the MG1100 and other cars try a google search and then query the various parts vendors that this will turn up.

HTH

Larry
Larry Hallanger

1100/1300 lights are different. They fit on a flat surface, and have a rounded lower end. The MGB/Spridget lights fit in a square cornered recess and are flat on the bottom.
I have seen some other car with the 1100/1300 light, don't recall what; nothing that I know of with the MGB/Spridget lamps.
FRM
FR Millmore

Fletcher - I believe that you are confusing the 1100/1300 with the Farina Magnette. In the book, MG Saloon Cars by Clausager, the tail light assembly on the Farina Magnette looks like what you are describing, whereas the tail lights on the MG 1100/1300 have the same tail light asembly as the MGBs. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Dave-
Well, sort of, maybe. The MGB/Spridget lamps are the same. The 1300 (Austin America here) is as I described. The MG1100 is different, and as I recall (don't have one to look at, did find a picture) similar to, but not the same or interchangeable w/ the MGB lamp. By the books, no parts are interchangeable with the MGB/Spridget one. The Magnette MKIII & MkIV is different still.
I think maybe it was the later Austin Taxi which used the 1300 lamp. No car other than the MGB/Spridget that was regularly imported uses the same lamps, one type up to 70 and another after, which can be interchanged.
FRM
FR Millmore

Dave

One of the references I found yesterday noted that the MG 1100 tail light assemble was the same as a taxi, and was not interchangable with the MGB. Tried to find it today without luck.

FWIW

Larry
Larry Hallanger

If I recall correctly, the 1100/1300 tail lamps were wider. Was that your experience, Larry?
Bob Muenchausen

Bob

It has been over 40 years since I have owned an MG 1100 Sports Sedan. Only got involved with the B/C types about 4 years ago. So I don't have any direct comparison and my memory is definitely good enough to remember such details that long.

Larry
Larry Hallanger

Thanks for all the contributions. I have now done more research of my own and have established the following-

The whole 1100/1300 range seems to have been face lifted in 67 and the face lift included a restyling of the rear wings and lights. The rear lights on post 67 cars (referred to as Mk2s) are definitely not the same as 69 MGB rear lights.

The rear lights on pre 69 1100/1300s do look very similar if not the same as 69 MGB lights but its hard to be sure judging only by pictures on the web. So any further information would be welcome. Any owner of a pre 67 MG1100/1300 and MBG must know the answer.
Dave

I already told you the answer in my second (corrected) post. The 1100 lamp is different from the 1300; The early 1100 lamp is NOT the same as the B/Spridget lamp, nor does it fit in the same hole.
FRM
FR Millmore

Sorry, Larry, I misread your comments.
Bob Muenchausen

This thread was discussed between 21/06/2006 and 26/06/2006

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