RUMCars Forum

General Category => RUMCar Mart => Topic started by: Jim Janecek on March 30, 2015, 08:11:52 pm

Title: Wanted: Isetta rear lens
Post by: Jim Janecek on March 30, 2015, 08:11:52 pm
Got a note from the current owner of the only surviving Factory-built Isetta Pickup (British-built, ex-Allan Forster I think).
One of the rear lenses has "gone missing"
See pic of what it used to look like and pic with current rubber housing and lamp in center as it sits.

Is this a common lamp housing/lens combo for other British built vehicles of the same era?
I have also heard this was common to the early Land Rover as well.
I don't know if the lens is glass or plastic.

Title: Re: Wanted: Isetta rear lens
Post by: richard on March 30, 2015, 08:36:56 pm
If Bob could confirm that it's the same as the one he had off me we just need to confirm what the other one is . Looks repro which would be plastic , originals glass , but what's he got that's where we start Jim
Title: Re: Wanted: Isetta rear lens
Post by: Bob Purton on March 30, 2015, 09:17:13 pm
The lenses look the same as mine. I think they were L488. Glass or course.
Title: Re: Wanted: Isetta rear lens
Post by: richard on March 30, 2015, 09:34:37 pm
Jim if glass originals there are several batches with slightly different Lucas wording and shade but see what he has and we can match it - or if plastic possibly replace with a correct glass pair
Title: Re: Wanted: Isetta rear lens
Post by: Jim Janecek on March 30, 2015, 10:16:28 pm
well, turns out he has NO lenses.   :o
they were there at the Auction...now they have disappeared...

So I sent him a listing for someone in the States selling L488 lenses/fixtures and he is going to pick up a complete set of red glass lenses in their fixtures with the chrome ring.   
thanks for everyone's assistance.

Next on the list is an attempt to freshen up the paint on the car by bringing it back to whatever it was originally.
I've got him poking around the car with a heat-gun prying up any original sound-proofing to see if there is anything visible underneath.
Title: Re: Wanted: Isetta rear lens
Post by: richard on March 30, 2015, 10:31:45 pm
Three surely no point going to all that bother and then buying modern replica plastic lenses !
Title: Re: Wanted: Isetta rear lens
Post by: Bob Purton on March 30, 2015, 11:06:59 pm
There is more than one type of fitting with those lenses on. If its just the lenses that he needs I guess it doesnt matter.
Title: Re: Wanted: Isetta rear lens
Post by: AndyL on March 30, 2015, 11:40:44 pm
They're very easy lights to find, unlike the later plastic lensed 3" lamps with integral reflectors.

Looks like the lamp holders could do with replacing too, as they should be silver/galvanized. A pair of new lamps can be had for under forty notes on ebay.

e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RED-STOP-TAIL-lights-L488-for-MORRIS-Cowley-Van-Pick-up-1950-53-replaces-53178-/330733257242?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d013d021a