Thread: Introducing Betty

After 3 weeks away its now time to begin sorting out the roadworthy for Betty. Before starting this though I thought I better tidy up the indicator and parking lights.


The 4 indicators are essentially opaque clear plastic (brittle and crumbly) of unknown origin i.e. there are no identifying marks They are domed and look like Wipac in shape - but I don't know.


The front parkers are even tougher to identify. Again they are opaque clear plastic (again brittle and crumbly) but this time with a chrome bezel. They look like Lucas L638s but again there are no identifying marks.


If anyone can identify them I would really appreciate it. I'm told though that Wipac is now out of business and that Lucas doesn't produce older styles. Is that correct? Any leads on sources would be appreciated.


The rear stop lights (well the passenger side especially) is definitely Wipac (it says so) while the drivers side looks like a copy of a Wipac.


Photos are below. Any assistance would be appreciated.


Cheers


Nic

Originally Posted by newby@54

After 3 weeks away its now time to begin sorting out the roadworthy for Betty. Before starting this though I thought I better tidy up the indicator and parking lights.


The 4 indicators are essentially opaque clear plastic (brittle and crumbly) of unknown origin i.e. there are no identifying marks They are domed and look like Wipac in shape - but I don't know.


The front parkers are even tougher to identify. Again they are opaque clear plastic (again brittle and crumbly) but this time with a chrome bezel. They look like Lucas L638s but again there are no identifying marks.


If anyone can identify them I would really appreciate it. I'm told though that Wipac is now out of business and that Lucas doesn't produce older styles. Is that correct? Any leads on sources would be appreciated.


The rear stop lights (well the passenger side especially) is definitely Wipac (it says so) while the drivers side looks like a copy of a Wipac.


Photos are below. Any assistance would be appreciated.


Cheers


Nic

hi 2 brand new wipacs in there boxs jim

Betty is beautiful.

I have to tell you that I am Deep Bronze Green with envy.

John

Well - it's taken over a week for me to source and replace where I could the indicators and tail/brake lights with similar but new items.


I've figured out that the indicators are a type of Lucas fitting so I sourced 4 new amber units and fitted them. Not without difficulty though as the backing plates in the new fittings are basically rubbish and I had great difficulty getting the screws that hold the lens to actually screw into the backing plate once that was attached to the vehicle. I ended up on one unit having to cannibalise the new fitting by using the backing plate from the old fitting and fitting it into the new fitting. I tested each indicator as I went and all was good until the last when I think I blew the flasher unit so now no indicators work. So down the auto electrician on Monday.


The front parkers I haven't replaced as they are pretty good and after a polish of the chrome bezel and a clean of the lens they look pretty smart. I found the name Hella on the backing plate so at least I now know who made them. But they look remarkably like a Lucas L638 and a Sparto unit too.


One of my rear tail/brake lights was a Wipac S170 while the other was some sort of cheaper copy. I was lucky to source 2 NOS complete Wipac S170 units (thanks Jim) and they now sit proudly on the back of Betty. I can't get the brake light to work so will have that attended to by an expert shortly.


Here are some new photos. I think she looks smarter with her new lights and her new amber indicators are likely to be more legal than the old white ones.


Nic

Looks great. I have been considering getting some of those 3" Sparto-type tail-light units, but wasn't sure if I'd like them being noticeably larger than the indicators.

Looks pretty tidy on your vehicle.

P.S. Is that clean galvanised capping, or has it been painted?

Johnno


The previous owner regalvanised everything when he restored the vehicle from a pile of bits. The previous owner to him had pulled her apart to undertake the restoration but then didn't do it.


Nic

Thanks Nic. That explains why it looks so marvellous...