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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Replacement Lucas stop/tail lenses.

Folks, I'm disappointed with new replacement rear stop/tail/(orange) indicator lenses just purchased for '73 BGT. They have none of the Lucas markings, SAE numbers, or in fact anything much on them at all. Can anyone point me to a supplier of rear and also front side/indicator lenses which bear the correct Lucas markings? - I'm just not happy with a naked plastic reproduction if I can have something that has the correct feel and look about it. With thanks ... John.
J P Hall

Have a look on E Bay, or the 2nd hand dealers. Welsh MG carry large stocks of reclaimed parts.
Allan Reeling

Thanks Allan - I have so far learned that the colour combination used in Australia (orange top section, red remainder) does not appear to be the same as in the U.S., and might be referred to as Euro spec.; I'm chasing new or N.O.S. if possible, so I'm certainly making it hard for myself - but I'll keep on trying ebay. I just thought others on the forum must have been down the same track before me ... maybe new Lucas lenses just aren't made anymore. The copies are ok, but just don't do it for me with their naked finish, no SAE numbers or Lucas name anywhere ... they are cheap, but look it.

As an aside, I was relieved to see that on the new BGT wiper arms and blades (made by Tex, received this week), is printed "Made in England" - so there is still hope! Regards, John.
J P Hall

The one supplied by Holden does have writing on it, but I can't see what it says.

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=1&pgCode=010&sgName=Electrical&pgName=Lighting&agCode=0045&agName=Side+and+Rear+Lamps+%2D+Parts&pCode=L84054584009#prettyPhoto
Dave O'Neill 2

Don't get too excited just yet by the fact that they're "genuine original Tex" with "Made in England" written on them John.
The attached photo will hopefully show you an original MGB arm with a fine internal spline to match my wiper drive spindles. Above and below are "genuine Tex" replacements for my MGA and MGB. Both have coarse splines that only "kind of" mate with my cars' drive spindles with, as well, larger internal diameters than the originals.
When I contacted Tex through my local retailer, who I'd bought my replacement Tex arms from, I received a rather arrogant dismissive response saying essentially that I should not complain or query their product, and if I didn't like them I should check out some cheap Chinese replacements.
That I thought was really unhelpful and a rather interesting example of one company's view of quality control, interest in feedback and PR.
So far I've lost overboard one MGA and one MGB wiper arm in use.
I've managed to find a decent second hand pair for my MGB that sit firmly on my spindles. (The middle one in the photo).
The moral is never, ever throw away any of your original parts. Refurbish them if at all possible. Almost without exception, replacement parts are poorer quality than the originals.


T Aczel

Too right, T.A. - it turns out my Tex Made in Englands have no spline at all! - rather, a small section (equal to about 1/3rd of the circumference of the spindle) which is a splined "nut" which is drawn in with a phillips head screw to tighten against the spindle. Now I don't want to cast nasturtiums, but it seems to me there's still 2/3 of the mating surface which has no meaningful grip against the spindle. I'd better reserve judgement until I try them out.Regards, John.
J P Hall

I found that not only are the Tex splines poor, but the "rubber" they use for the blade is so hard as to be useless. I bought generic replacement rubbers from Halfords, cut them to length and fitted them to the Tex blade holders. At least I can now see when driving in rain - a not uncommon situation here in the west of Scotland!
Mike Howlett

The link I posted above only works if you copy and paste it into the address bar.

Here's a pic


Dave O'Neill 2

Hi John, have a look at this ebay link, which may be of help

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lucas-L676-Rear-Lens-Gasket-for-MGB-MGB-GT-Austin-Healey-Sprite-MG-midget-/191685401739

Not cheap at £19.45 each and an additional £10.55 postage for you, but if they are genuine, then maybe worth it. I've copied the item description below.

Lucas L676 Rear Lens MGB, MGBGT Austin Healey Sprite & MG Midget Mg Parts; 57H5354, 57H5356 & 57H5357.

Brand new genuine Lucas rear indicator / stop tail lens with reflector. This high quality lens comes complete with lens to base sealing gasket.

Note; Price is per single complete lens and gasket, with a number of lenses available.

This is a high quality British made genuine Lucas lens.

As fitted to MGB & MGBGT, Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midget (up to 1970).

See second photo showing the lens which is marked; "LUCAS ENGLAND, L676, BS2515 Grade-2 & BS2516 Grade-1, SAE STDB 61, E11"

Andy
Andy Robinson

Wrong year Andy, but I prefer the look of these pre 1970 rear lights.
Allan Reeling

Many, many years ago I purchased a pair of rear amber turn signal lenses from my local BL dealer. Why they even had them in stock, I'll never know as they were illegal in the US. Here, it was a red turn signal over a red running light. Each year, before state inspection, I had to remove the amber lenses and re-install the original red turn signal lenses to pass muster. Since my car is a '67, it was especially strange that my local dealer had the amber lenses in stock. My '67 B was purchased from them new when they were still a BMC dealership. They had a wealth of NOS parts, including a new Lucas turn signal switch, complete with headlight flasher, for my car. The original lasted only five years, but the Lucas replacement is still in perfect working order after several decades of use. In the US, the GT came standard with the headlight flasher, but it had to be disabled by the dealership before delivery, due to US safety laws. My amber lenses have held up very well against the rigors of time. RAY
rjm RAY

Moss UK offer these: 37H4737

marked Lucas

are they what you're looking for?

Fairly sure I've got a complete pair of lamps on a shelf somewhere in my garage - the ones with the flat rather than curved lens of the earlier light.

Apologies if I'm on the wrong wavelength.
John Bilham

John B. and others: I've been advised by Andrew at the MGOC that Lucas products aren't made anymore as the company doesn't exist - only copies are made, with many of the original (SAE etc) markings but without the Lucas name being put on them. If this is the case, our only hope is to unearth unsold "new old stock" in storage somewhere as no new Lucas stuff will be available. Having said that, I've seen several internet shop examples of (in this case) rear lenses, which appear to have the Lucas name on them, leading me to think there might be inferior copies which do include a Lucas name imprinted. At the end of the day, maybe I should be looking for the best quality lenses I can find (the same goes for glass lenses, light units, switches and all the other parts originally supplied by Lucas), with or without the Lucas name on them. It feels like a departure from the original MG product - I'd be interested in the view of others if you feel like commenting. Regards, John.
J P Hall

I got some used lenses from Andy Jennings which with a good clean were good as new. Due to the inferior quality of new parts I started putting used parts on my restoration. I suppose you get what you pay for but I only use Moss or my local supplier for new parts now.
Pat Gregory

Lucas electrical were still trading as of 2014 http://www.lucaselectrical.co.uk/lucas-history.html. Their catalogue still lists things for the MGB like bulbs, reverse light switch and radiator fan switch, probably because they are applicable to more than one model or marque.
Paul Hunt

When I wanted a pair of the older rounder lenses for the rear lights on my 1969 MGB, I found a choice among the traders at the Silverstone MGCC meeting. I'm pretty sure secondhand suppliers like Andy Jennings will have good used ones - but then you are on the other side of the world.... which does pose some difficulties.
Mike Howlett

Exactly, Mike - I can only dream of going to your English swap-meets, MGCC and MGOC meetings and so on. We're at the mercy of whatever companies sell stuff via internet shops or mail-order catalogues, and it's so much harder (nay, virtually impossible) to unearth things like n.o.s. Lucas parts. Sigh. Come retirement (12 months and counting!), 'er indoors and I plan an early stay in the UK to stock up, as for us the problem is magnified by the fact that we're custodians of BGT, TC, YA and TD.

Which reminds me - I should put the question out there via a separate thread : does anyone want to look after our place (including keeping the cars ticking over) in tropical North Queensland, Australia while we spend a couple of months house-sitting in England? Surely there must be a register of MG etc. enthusiasts who can offer reciprocal house-swaps between like-minded folk?

Paul, I'll certainly be following up your Lucas lead, thank you.
Regards, John.
J P Hall

This thread was discussed between 20/11/2015 and 26/11/2015

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