Lagondaforum

Subject: Rear Lamp Location?

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Chaps, could anyone say where the rear lamps on an 16/80 would have been located originally? On my car the previous owner made a number plate & real lamp mount which although very solid I feel rather clutters the tail of the car. I wonder how it would have appeared when it left the factory?



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Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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On page 163 of Arnold's book Lagonda 2, 3, & 3.5 Litre including 16/80 1925-1935 there is an original picture of the rear end of a 16/80 Apart from the fact that it only has one light, it is not so different from the picture of your car. If you don't have the book (which I can strongly recommend) I could scan the photo and e-mail it to you. Tim Wadsworth tim@lagondahire.co.uk

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Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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Thanks Tim, that's exactly what I was looking for, I have bought so many Lagonda books since I got the car that I had forgotten that picture. There is what looks like a bracket on the n/s of the plate support so maybe there's a lamp missing? Also that car appears to have something, perhaps another lamp, on the lower lip of the o/s rear mudguard. Interesting...

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Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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I think I am correct in saying that in 1935 there was only a requirement for one rear lamp (and of course winkers were unheard of) so maybe that bracket was for something else. Car club badge ? It looks to me like a reflection of the petrol cap on the o/s rear wing rather than another light. Happy Christmas motoring !

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Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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Hi Guys

I would like to add a little to this debate. I have used my HC 2 Litre speed model a great deal on long journeys in the dark, sometimes in foul conditions. I also know of one fellow Lagonda user who was badly injured when someone rear ended him in these conditions. I therefore mounted two light clusters tucked under the kick up of the real wings, along with reflectors and decent indicators. I have kept the original light board. The new fitment is quite neat and is clearly not original but is very visible and I feel safe at night.

T7 16/80's such as as Richard's car are more difficult and my drophead has the same issue. Both have those lovely sloping rear wings, and fortunately Henry Ford has come to the rescue. Model A rear tail lamp brackets seem to be a good solution. For example eBay item number 271453008939 shows the brackets and the lamps that go with them are equally neat - see item number 261206571495. These can be either chrome or painted.

I have seen 1930's UK-built Rolls-Royces fitted with these and I think they would look equally neat on a 16/80. I hasten to add that that M45s were fitted with Buick Tail Lamp Brackets but to the best of my knowledge were never fitted to 16/80s where I think they would probably look out of proportion.

Colin

Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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Thanks chaps,some good ideas there. I was aware of the Buick items used on the M45 but as Colin says, I don't think these were ever fitted to the 16/80s. The Ford Model A mounts look similar to teh Buick ones but I am torn with regard to those, are they a touch bling or would they add a certain something to the rear end? Maybe I will trim down the existing plate mount so there's less surplus metal on show and spray it black then add some red LED brake & tail lamp bulbs (Dennis has fitted indicators in these too). These are significantly brighter than the usual filament bulbs and consume far less current.

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Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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I think Richard has a point about not wanting to be too "blingy." The attached picture shows the rear end of my 16/80 with some fairly sober rear light mounts that I made when I first got the car. The body is currently being restored and I don't know whether I keep the ones in the photo or go for the Ford brackets. If I decide to use the Ford ones, I also don't know at this stage whether they will be chrome or painted.

Spoilt for choice I think...

Colin M34

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Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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Thanks Colin.

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Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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Recommend looking at the legislation that applies ( Road Vehicles Lighting Regs 1989) and talking to a friendly / experienced MOT man as you don'y want to fit something that doesn't comply and find yourself in the poop after an accident...
A pal of my was rear ended recently in his prewar car and seriously injured, there was an inquisition afterwards and fortunately for him his car did comply and had been scrutineered only minutes before by a VSCC official as he was taking part in a trial...
I believe there are two cut off dates relevant for vehicles of our era : 1931 and 1936. As far as i know there are a number of things that you might not be required to fit but you might feel are sensible and if they are fitted must comply, for instance direction indicators are not a legal requirement for a 1933 car but are probably wise and if fitted need to comply...
I believe reflectors are a must and there are rules about position and in particular the distance from the outside edges of the car.
I suspect your current reflectors don't comply .
Hope the above helps
Bill

Subject: Re: Rear Lamp Location?

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Thanks Bill, I fully intend to get the car inspected (as per an MoT) when it's with Bishop Gray in January. You are almost certainly right about the reflectors, they should be closer to the edge of the car.

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