Amber or Clear Lenses

[minied]

Hi All,

I know this is a Mk1 forum but I am confused and hoep someone can help. I was wondering, does anyone know the history of the Indicator Lense clear or amber? I see in a lot of pictures that the Mk2 came with Amber Indicator Lenses but somehow mine ended up with Clear Lense. I was wondering whether the clear lenses were an aftermarket purchase or came with some models . The Mk 2 seem to have these characteristics of mix and match..

If we used amber during dim lights selection wouldnt that be confused as a Hazard, and if we use clear lense as indicator, do people realise its an indicator and not a flashing disco light as most modders do nowadays ? using a Amber bulb is also the same effect I guess.. Wondering to change to amber to be period correct or not..

Minied...!

[ivor badger]

The front indicator lamp on a mini is simply a standard Lucas lamp. I will need to go and get the parts book if you want the numbers.
The lamp in various forms was fitted to land rovers, morrie minors etc and came in a range of lenses. From the end of 64 (iirc) front indicators had to be amber, but mini ones always had been. Cars supplied abroad would be given lamp colours to match local laws. Ie, there is a photo of James Garners S with clear indicators. Works rally minis were always built to local lighting laws.

So swapping lense colour isn't a big deal, just illegal. Lenses were available in clear, red or amber with flat or cone as required.

[Tim]

I think it partly depends on where the park lights are located. I believe that Most early UK cars have the park lights in the headlights, with single filament globes and orange lenses for the indicators. In Australian built Minis (for example) the park lights and front indicators are both in the indicators, so we have dual filament globes and clear lenses, because park lights had to be white at the front.

Those of us with UK built Minis like to wear orange indicators to show that our cars are a bit special.

It doesn't matter that they have clear indicator lenses. The electricals on early minis are usually so weak that the dim flash from the indicators looks fairly yellow anyway.

Tim

[surfblue63]

So swapping lense colour isn't a big deal, just illegal. Lenses were available in clear, red or amber with flat or cone as required.

Why would swopping from amber to clear be illegal? I run clear lenses on my car with amber bulbs, just like most modern cars.

Also note the light units with the flat lenses have a different more sunken bulb holder than those with the domed lens.

http://www.vintagemotorspares.com/phdi/ ... ent&part=6

[ivor badger]

So swapping lense colour isn't a big deal, just illegal. Lenses were available in clear, red or amber with flat or cone as required.

Why would swopping from amber to clear be illegal? I run clear lenses on my car with amber bulbs, just like most modern cars.

Also note the light units with the flat lenses have a different more sunken bulb holder than those with the domed lens.

http://www.vintagemotorspares.com/phdi/ ... ent&part=6

Modern cars use clear lenses with orange painted bulbs. If you do the same, then your car will not be illegal. If you run clear bulbs in clear lenses, then your car will be illegal as the C&U regs stipulate that an indicator must be orange.

[Andrew1967]

I've just changed the amber lenses on my Fiesta Yellow/OEW Mk1 to clear lenses/orange bulbs as I think (at the moment anyway) that it suits the look of the car.

[Simon776]

If you run clear bulbs in clear lenses, then your car will be illegal as the C&U regs stipulate that an indicator must be orange.

For use in the UK it all depends on the age of the car. White front indicators are legal on vehicles first used before 1st September 1965.

[minied]

Hi Lads,

Thanks for the replies. Decided then to stay with my current clear lenses and clear bulbs as the Parking/Dip/Dim Lights are located on same location. Putting Amber lights as Dim/Dip/Parking might confuse people that I am stationary.

Minied...!

[cheleker]

Information left out. The car is a Mk II '67 build for U.S. export, if that makes a difference. The Mk Is were easy. All red rear lights and clear lens on the front with clear, dual filament bulbs doing work as running lights and turn signals. But Mk IIs...?