MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

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 TD TF 1500 - What car do these tail lights go to?

In the parts I bought the other day was a set of glass taillight lenses. The lenses had the early Rectangular TD chrome cover on them. They fit it perfectly.

Obviously, these are not TD tail lights. So what car do they go to, so I can advertise them correctly?

Bruce Cunha

I don't know, but there were other cars that used the TD tail lamp assembly so maybe if you search a period appropriate Lucas parts catalog, you may find a list of vehicles using the same lamp, and then you can look at photos to see if any had that lens. It's an attractive lens and real glass is always nice look. I would be tempted to use them if I had a TD.
Steve Simmons

Something with fenders most likely.
Christopher Couper

They look familiar, though I can't remember what from. Vauxhall, Humber, Hillman, Jowett, Sunbeam, Ford (UK), etc.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Best Guess...


J Stone

I think you got it. If so they should me marked L471 Lucas.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Checked my old Service Index for '48 to '62 cars and the Morris Minor series II cars call for the same lens as the TD with rectangular tail lamps. Part number is 572239 but the number may have been superseded over the years.
John Quilter (TD8986)

Amazing timing. Look at the thread entitled "compatible spares". You'll find reference to a document, "Interchangeable Parts Between "T" Series MGs and Various Other Makes of British Motor Vehicles", written by Robert J. Gibson. It was published in The Sacred Octagon of the New England M.G. T Register, of which Bob Gibson is member #1190. I think that it was published in the August 1970 TSO. On page 14, you'll find 'MG TD (Early Tail Light sharing with: 48-53 Morris Oxford, Morris 6, Wolesley 4/50, Wolesley 6/80 plus 48-52 Austin A40, Austin A70 and Morris Minor. And, Peter Hehir says that Robert J. Gibson is still around in the Land Down Under. Thanks, Bob. Bud #9826
Bud Krueger

I inspected the lenses. By the wavy glass, I would say they are old. I did not find a single marking on either.

In looking at pictures of the cars Bud listed, none that I found had this type of glass lens. All have the same lens as the TD.

I looked at 50's cars from Dave's suggestion and unfortunately, most of the images are of the front of the cars.

Interestingly, the Vauxhall Wyvern also has the same lense as the TD, but it goes sideways instead of up and down.

So keep these in mind when you are looking at older British cars. More rounded at the top then TD lens's and has glass ridges going across the lens.

I would like to identify what they are from so I can see if anyone might be interested in them.
Bruce Cunha

I checked all my old Lucas lamps books back to 1940 and could find nothing like these lenses. However, Lucas was not the only supplier of lamps and lenses. Sparto and Wipac also supplied components to UK manufacturers. That being said, I also checked all my resources for those two manufacturers and couldn’t find these lenses there either. My only thought is that it’s a 1930’s-40’s lens.
Kevin McLemore

Likely a secondary supplier who didn't want to be accused of patent infringement, so they made them curved instead of the Lucas L471 more rectangular shape. Original Lucas glass L471 lenses will be molded with the Lucas name and model number cast into the glass.
Lew Palmer

Lew: That sounds like a likely scenario.
Christopher Couper

Given the lack of any identifying marks, I would tend to go with an aftermarket lens.

Bruce Cunha

This thread was discussed between 16/06/2020 and 19/06/2020

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG TD TF 1500 BBS now