Tail Lights

[Paul Mossberg]

This conversation started in Bill???s ???gone and done it??? thread.

 

My Duchess has two-bulb VW taillights with VW mid to late 60s oval lenses. All red, running light and brake light on lower bulb, turn signal on upper bulb.

 

While not truly TD taillights, I???d like to replace  the VW lights with Lucas 549. The base is not exactly the same as the VW oval, but it is close.

 

Does anyone know if the size is similar?

 

Beyond the dimensions, the Lucas 549 base is a one bulb system.

 

Larry mentioned MG Magic???s Lucky replacement Ford Chevy single blub @ $54.50 ea. or VW two bulb assembly @ $61.85 ea.

 

Is the ???Lucky??? taillight a reproduction of the Lucas 549?  If it is, I have the same dimension questions as I do for the 549.

 

Dan mentioned in the other thread a Lucas 541. I searched and cannot find that. Was that a typo?

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Dan Rosa]

 Ok ,I’m just getting old eyes i need to look at things a little closer Lucas 549 ,,,,,,,,,like I said  these were standard on many British Marks . Dan R

[Paul Mossberg]

Thanks. I kinda figured that and didn’t search too long for a “541”

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[billnparts]

When the Fiberfab supplied tail lamp lenses faded to pink, I went to Carlisle looking for replacements. I hit every vendor there and only found one pair. The seller said they were from a Spitfire.

This is mine…

I found this…

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lucas-L672-Rear-Lamp-Gasket-Triumph-Spitfire-Triumph-GT6-217025-/221158730033

Hope this helps.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[Paul Mossberg]

Bill, you have a single bulb behind the L672, right?

 

I’m really trying to maintain the two bulb per side set up.

 

Anyone out there actually have MG Magic’s “Lucky” taillights?

 

Anyone figure out a way to squeeze two bulbs into an L549?

 

The two sockets on my TD are simply pressed into holes cut into the fiberglass. The full VW taillight assembly is not used. The VW lens is screwed into the fender.

 

Looking at the L549, I’m wondering if I cut out the center of the backing plate, would the remaining portion of the base and the lens fit over the bulbs on the car?

 

PMOSSBERG2013-01-23 10:02:14

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Paul Mossberg]

While I’ve been researching this, I found a couple neat parts suppliers:

 

http://jollyrogersmotors.com/

 

http://www.vintagemotorspares.com/ (in the UK)

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Larry Murphy]

  Paul, If I ‘m reading Dan R’s reply in the ”gone and done it ”thread, he is using the Lucas lens on the ”Lucky” base . You could measure the space that your two bulb setup requires and then check the size of the Lucas base to be sure. It may be possible to move your bulb sockets closer to each other to fit them inside the Lucas assembly.Sure would be a nice change from the VW look.I realize this is getting more complicated with every move.

[Paul Mossberg]

So I searched for dimensions for the L549 lens and base.

Would ya’ll be surprised to hear I found three different answers?

 

Width 62mm, height 121mm, depth 86mm.

Width 55mm, height 140mm, depth 80mm.

Width 82mm, height 139mm, depth 96mm.

 

Anyone actually have these on their car?

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[billnparts]

Sorry Paul, I misunderstood

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[Dan Rosa]

Paul, the Lucky base has 2 bulbs . the bulb sockets are down in the base , with only the glass part above the base.  The sizes are  55 w. 115 L.  65 H.  25 H   mm. on the low side this the in side of the lens .I guess there is no standard size. I have had these lenses since I built it. The fun part is watching the guys who go crazy trying to figure the year by the lens. I also like the look of the lens they were the same on Morris Miner. MG A , Jaguar and many other Brit. cars.  Dan R

[Paul Mossberg]

Thanks Dan!That’s really helpful.

Would you mind measuring the width and height? I’ve got holes drilled from the VW lenses. Would be nice to know if the Lucky base will cover them.

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Dan Rosa]

Paul, the base size is 140 mm long by 78 wide . the mounting screws on the lens are 110mm center to center. the Lucky lens holds on by 1 screw at the top and slips under a tab in the base I drilled a mounting screw hole at the bottom of the base for the lens. Dan R 

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