Reversing lamp

[vodkakid]

HI,
Does anyone know where i can buy a works style??(lucas 576?) reversing lamp? I've seen some for sale but they are about £120, are they easy to fit and wire up? My car currently has no reversing lights at all
cheers
Ac

[Dino42]

I think Moss do repro ones - about £65 IIRC

[Dino42]

ops sorry £76.95 inc VAT part no BHA4399

>> Edited by Dino42 on Tuesday 1st March 15:27

[Cooperman]

Very easy to fit and wire. If you use an on-off switch remember to use a warning light.
Bear-in-mind that they are illegal, by the way, as the bulb and reflector are in excess of what is permitted, unless you only use a 21w bulb (I think).

[vodkakid]

The car is 33years old, is it still illegal to fit one?? Dont really like the look if the little rectangle ones.

[Dino42]

Would agree totally with Cooperman, dead easy to fit - don't forget to fuse it tho'
Legality: this is one of those slightly odd issues -
As I understand the law it's not illegal to have the lamp fitted on the car - it's just illegal for it to work (with the std. bulb)!!!
Can't see you getting pulled for it tho' unless you flash a policeman with it - just fit a BIG warning light.
I wouldn't wire it up so it comes on automatically either, so you can be a bit selective.

[vodkakid]

Isnt there a sensor on the gearbox anyway (the engine /gearbox is only a few years old)

>> Edited by vodkakid on Tuesday 1st March 22:23

[Dino42]

Yes but I'm suggesting you don't use it.
That way YOU control when it comes on - as in, you don't use it when there's a police car behind you!!

[Cooperman]

I must say that I've never had a problem with the legality on my '64 car. I use a standard 60w tungsten bulb, not halogen, and have an illuminated switch on the panel.

[vodkakid]

At the moment i dont have anything.....but i really like the retro look of it compared to the little rectangle ones that you stick under the bumper.

[Cooperman]

The only problem is the price for the rear-mounted Lucas 5" Foglight unit. When we did the rally Clubman GT recently we used a slim-line old type 5" foglight (not Lucas) on a steel bracket, but mounted in the same place as the Lucas unit on my red car. It looked fine.
On my black car, where I have to run a completely standard lighting system, I have re-positioned the red rear fog light onto the boot lid using a bracket made from aluminium plate. This is to prevent rally damage as under the bumper it's very vulnerable.I have a manual switch and warning light and it's independant of the side light circuit. Seems fine and looks better as well.

[Skyedriver]

Dino42 said:

Yes but I'm suggesting you don't use it. That way YOU control when it comes on - as in, you don't use it when there's a police car behind you!!

Best not to be reversing when theres a cop car behind you!!
Sorry, collects anorak and departs quietly.

[love machine]

I've got a 576 mofo on the boot. A reversing light which lights up the whole road, not just shows the car behind you're reversing. It's a proper 576 original and I paid £30. Autojumbles mate! Avoid the ones which aren't 576's. Similar price, rubbish though.

Upgrade the bulb and fit relays! I'm into bright lights after the rally enthusiast I bought the car off had fitted silly bulbs in the headlights. (They are brilliant and well worth the bucks). A real melt the wiring loom job.

Sod the law, pull the wire out for the MOT. Say it's decorative.