Mini / MGB headlights

[Billy Hunt]

Just a quicky as someone will know are the 7" headlights for an MGB and a Mini exactly the same?

A friend has 'odd' headlights on his late mini and I have some spares from a B, so if the headlight fits!

[Spitfire2]

the 7inch headlights on pretty much all UK cars which used them are the same. Mini, MG, Triumph,Austin, even the Volvo P1800 are all the same lights.

I doubt its just a British thing even...

[Billy Hunt]

Sorted then!

[marshalla]

unless they're the "push fit" version used on the Mini for a short period and the Lotus Excel for its entire life. The good news is that it's only the fitting that's awkward - the lenses & reflectors are bog standard.

[na]

if they are from a R/B then they will have a hole in them for the 'sidelight' if so just cover over with white tape

[cpas]

Pretty much everything of that era used 7" sealed beam units, which should be a universal fit. The glass pattern may differ slightly but all should fit.

[Dogwatch]

My father had a brand-new Mini in 1965 (his first 'proper new' car). Some twit had mixed up the two wires into the back of one main/dip headlight which the factory had then correctly connected to the loom according to the colour coding.
Result: as one headlamp dipped, the other went to full beam.

I seem to remember there was a bit of a fuss when stylists wanted to ditch the 'round' headlights for 'square' ones a few years later.

[caziques]

7" sealed beams were very common - but sadly lacking in light output compared with modern cars.

Interesting fact, the only other major country to use sealed beams is the US - most others use bulb type - which are great (choice of bulbs) until they corrode.

[//j17]

caziques said:

7" sealed beams were very common - but sadly lacking in light output compared with modern cars.

Try some more modern, reflector-focused 7" lights then... http://www.powerfuluk.com/products/other-vehicle-l...

[Riley Blue]

I replaced the 7" sealed beams on my '63 Riley with halogen conversions (much better - other drivers now flash when I inadvertently drive on main beam); you can get them with domed lenses so they look just like the originals.

[cpas]

I still use sealed beams on my Defender as it doesn't get used much at night and they are better when the front end 'occasionally' gets dunked in water!!