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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 MGA - Rear light lens

Just a word of caution. There are many reproduction lenses available for the Lucas type L549 rear light lens fitted to the MGA.

The one that I ordered recently, was in my opinion far to dark in colour, and of particular concern, allowed very little light to be transmitted through the lens making it quite dangerous.

The lens was purchased from ebay and the vendor replaced it without any problems.

Picture shows orginal lens to the left, replacement on the right




J Bray

I had the same problem. Ordered two, including bases from Brown and Gammons. They came as two different colours. Very irritating. Also, one had a twin filament globe, as needed for my 1600, the other a single. THis makes me think they could be for different applications. I emailed B & G but couldn't get a reply; a bit disappointing really as I have spent a lot of money with them. I ended up polishing the original lenses and using them.
Matthew
m s randell

I had the same issue - mine are still two different colors.

I ordered from Moss about 4 or 5 years ago, though - so it has been a problem for a long while.

If anyone has a good source for the original type lens, I will try again.

Thanks.

JIM in NH
AJ Mail

Yeah! I got one on eBay today that looks to be NOS, and is very pale in the picture. I hope they match!

I have a dark red one for sale now if anyone needs it.

I remember seeing a blue MGA at a show that was a one-owner car since new. The dad died and the son had it mechanically tuned up, but it still had all original paint, bodywork, upholstery, etc. The tail light lenses were sort of light red-orange, and he said they always had been. So, I imagine there were variations in color even back in the day depending on the supplier and batch.

I took a picture of it, but it's not on this computer.

JIM in NH
AJ Mail

Jim,

The problem with the dark red lens, is that it seems to significantly reduce the amount of transmitted light. With such small lights we need as much visible light as possible.

I agree that there must have have been variations in colour, especially as Lucas L549 lights were used on other cars

Regards...John
J Bray

The original lenses were red and faded to orange over about 10 years.
Russ
Russ Carnes

Russ,

The one that is in the pic above (the maroon one) is not going to fade...it's too dark.

The one I got on eBay that is a NOS unit is very like the paler one in the pic above...very happy now.

The ones on the blue car at the show were not "faded" originals - they were just orange.

I'll post the pic later tonight - will find it.

JIM
AJ Mail

Here is the pic.

Owner said they were always more orange than red - this is on a one-owner survivor car.

JIM



AJ Mail

It's possible the lenses may have been darker on the 1600.

When I acquired my 1600 Tourer in 1965, it still had red glass rear traffic signal lenses as fitted to Personal Export Home Delivery cars intended for the NA market. The plastic stop/rear light lenses were exactly the same shade of red.

I'm not sure that the lighter-shaded lenses are as effective in bright sunlight as the dark ones.

Alex
A. W. Risk

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2012 and 29/05/2012

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