Author Topic: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?  (Read 9428 times)

AndyL

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Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« on: November 07, 2014, 11:01:34 AM »
Does anyone know if the rubber parts for the 3" plastic lensed rear/brake lights are available as an individual spare, or do you have to purchase a complete lamp assembly?

Andy
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richard

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2014, 08:40:49 PM »
Are they the Lucas L581 lenses and units that I sold 2 weeks ago complete . Strange but no-one seems to be listing rubbers , or indeed light units . They might be a Wipac unit you are looking for but you haven't said
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AndyL

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2014, 10:26:50 PM »
Sorry. Yes i was referring to the Lucas lights as fitted to the British cars sometime around late '59 onwards.

They're harder to source than the earlier glass lensed units. Odd!
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richard

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2014, 10:43:38 PM »
I have sold two pairs in the last two weeks but they are rare . I bought them and had to buy new bulb holders as L581 backplates are usually single filament units . One pair did have the rubber back rubbers , can't think why they aren't made
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

Big Al

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2014, 07:37:45 AM »
Lucas specialist at Beaulieu used to sell the rubbers for most of the common units. That was back in the day and I recall they were something like £2.50. No idea if that trader is still with us. Always wore a sporting cap.
The obvious place to look is Land Rover folk as the unit was on there for a time, though not always with the same lens and with a cut out for the number plate. I have some rare LR lenses to sell mand had wondered about making them whole. Buyers really have got very lazy and tend to want whole units or nothing.
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AndyL

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2014, 09:59:14 AM »
I have the original bases. A little tired, but serviceable. I have about half a dozen plastic lenses, some new in box, some were good used, and one or two which have a bit of scuffing.

Someone has patterned these, but they come with plastic lamp holders, and the lenses don't have the Lucas legends on. Haven't seen them up close and personal so to speak, so can't vouch for quality, however if not too expensive, they may be worth having for the rubbers.

In two minds whether to use the 3" or go with the L488 glass units, which are common as muck and I think look nicer anyway. The 3" units work better with the LED units I tried, as the lamp sits up higher in the base and thus the side mounted LED's do the work they're supposed to.
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Big Al

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2014, 11:59:10 AM »
Yes, the plastic unit is bigger and stands proud. However the glass unit is much neater to look at on the car. The Isetta does not have the advantage of parking lights. However if you found some suitable period lights to clip on then you can add to the lighting in a way that would still be better even with glass rear units. It has the benefit of extra lighting but offers the full width of the car rather than about half the width, or the illusion of being further away than it is. Depends if you like accessories and can find some funky units.
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Bob Purton

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2014, 12:31:16 PM »
I faced the same dilemma last year when I found out that Thumper was wearing non original rear lamps, they were Butler ones. All the evidence seemed to suggest it would have had the older glass type so were easy to find at an autojumble plus Richard helped me out with a pair of good coloured lenses. As has been said, they do give the car a nice smooth appearence. Here is a pic of mine.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2014, 12:35:08 PM by Bob Purton »

AndyL

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2014, 03:35:56 PM »
I have all the parts to put in L488's although my relectors are very shabby and would require refurbishing or replacement.

I believe the original cars used a specially shaped rubber backing piece/gasket for the reflectors which contoured well with the curves of the bodywork.

« Last Edit: November 08, 2014, 03:37:55 PM by AndyL »
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richard

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #9 on: November 08, 2014, 05:59:57 PM »
Bobs's are the L488'S ,  but these are the the L581's
« Last Edit: November 08, 2014, 06:04:57 PM by richard »
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AndyL

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #10 on: November 08, 2014, 06:12:02 PM »
Agreed. I do have a complete set of the L488's though, brand new old stock, so I think I'll use those.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2014, 09:52:49 PM by AndyL »
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richard

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2014, 06:41:19 PM »
Andy you've lost me . Didnt you start this topic by saying you wanted rubbers for L581's ?
« Last Edit: November 08, 2014, 09:57:56 PM by richard »
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

Scootacar_mk1

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #12 on: November 08, 2014, 08:57:13 PM »
Although these are LEP I'm sure they are the same

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richard

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #13 on: November 08, 2014, 09:11:33 PM »
yes but at £54 quite dear if you only want the rubbers  ;) . I have not quite figured out the pmg/lep/wipac/lucas story as obviously some types cross over . Being modern replicas these are unbranded anyway
outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

Scootacar_mk1

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Re: Isetta 3" plastic lensed rear light rubbers?
« Reply #14 on: November 08, 2014, 09:42:51 PM »
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