TVR S2 headlamp mountings

[kiwihead]

I have a question about the headlamp mounting rings for a 1990 TVR S2. There is an inner chrome ring that has a total of 6 lugs round the edge. Three are for mounting the ring to the bowl and the other 3 are to mount the ring to the lamp unit via little brackets. The outer chrome bezel then fits outside this inner ring.

It's this inner mounting ring that's corroded and I can't find what car it's from - it looks like the unit from a mini, but I'm not sure.

The car lives out here in New Zealand, so it spends its entire life upside down, but it does have a Cosworth V6, so it goes quite well upside down, but it could do with a little help to see better at night (so would you if you were charging around at a rate of knots upside down...)

Hard to find anyone who knows about these things over here, so I thought I'd ask the wise community at PH if anyone knows what car these headlamps came from and where I might possibly find some replacement chrome mounting rings?

Any advice much appreciated. Anyone who comes up with an answer stands a risk of being bought a beer or two if they can drink it while standing upside down - but you would have to visit to collect your prize. Worth every moment, I promise!

-) Nigel

[greymrj]

Hi Nigel, not too many S's down there and I guess there are few if any other Cosworth engines ones.
First of all I suggest you make yourself familiar with the Alternative Parts list at the head of this page, a member has gone to a lot f trouble to bring this up to date recently and it is a mine of important information.
The headlights are indeed Mini but a lot of us now fit stainless steel replacements. Corrosion is even worse than on the mini as the rim is so closed in at the bottom. If it isnt obvious on what you have left, you will also need a small piece of stainless rivetted to the outer rim at the bottom so you can secure the rim to the GRP, you cannot use the fitting screw method on the mini.
The choice of the actual headlamp itself is another matter, there are lots of aftermarket headlamps or bulb conversions which are an improvement on the original mini 'candles'.
Have fun!

[phillpot]

Headlamps common to Mini, MGB and Midget, Land Rover, many Triumphs, plenty of well catered for "classics"


Clicky for examples

[magpies]

phillpot said:

Headlamps common to Mini, MGB and Midget, Land Rover, many Triumphs, plenty of well catered for "classics"


Clicky for examples

Also mk1 golf . But any 7inch round headlight. Make sure you get good H4 lamps

[kiwihead]

Thanks Guys - this is really helpful - I can see the parts I need right away.

One other question for you, Richard: I've looked everywhere, but cant find the "Alternative parts" list that you say is at the top of the page. I'd love to be able to find it (perhaps I'm the one that needs a new pair of headlamps - quite possible). Can you give me another steer towards it?

In the meantime, I'll stock up the upside-down beer fridge, in case either of you guys can make it out here - I'll even try to keep my greasy mitts off it afterwards - but no guarantees on that

Cheers

-Nigel

[NZDave]

Hi Nigel.
Go and see your local Vintage Car Club, some of their members will know all about these headlights.
The parts list is under useful links tab at the top of the s series page.
Dave

[greymrj]

kiwihead said:

One other question for you, Richard: I've looked everywhere, but cant find the "Alternative parts" list that you say is at the top of the page. I'd love to be able to find it (perhaps I'm the one that needs a new pair of headlamps - quite possible). Can you give me another steer towards it?



-Nigel

Hi Nigel, glad to help. If you look in Useful Links at the top of the page a whole load of useful info will open up. You are looking for the NEW Alternative Parts List. You want to get an idea of the other links so you can refer to them if necessary. However in case you have problems this is the link to the specific list.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw2UHUb5GKJ6MDk3Q...

[greymrj]

kiwihead said:

upside-down beer fridge,

l

Is it helpful to have the foam at the bottom of the glass??

[kiwihead]

Thanks again guys - more useful stuff. I reckon I'm on the right track now.

Thanks, Richard, for the link to the alternative parts list. What a great store of useful info! I needed the link you sent to get me there, as I still can't see the heading on the TVR page, so to put things right, I've ordered for myself a shiny new pair of flishy-flashy forward-facing chrome-plated driving glasses - the ones with extra large tappet clearances and optional upside down beer fridge. I'm sure that will do the trick...

...and yes - the foam does sit at the bottom of the glass, but to get it there you have to play the "All Backs" game. You lie down on your back, open wide and ask a friend to pour it down the hole. Job done. Foam on the bottom of the glass...

- Nigel