Lights

technical data -

Lucas Model MBD 148 headlamp, parts #50098A, #50211A, #50654A (Briggs - the last part number also used for export models) and #50623A (Barker).
Barker bodied cars are fitted with Lucas Model 464, No. 052621 (stop and tail lamp) and Lucas Model 467, No. 052410D (rear number plate lamp).

The headlamp catch may be Lucas part #509336, the spring may be Lucas part #509191, the sidelamp may be Lucas part #52057.

Model 464 rear lamp is fitted with Lucas #571979 rubber gasket (between glass and metal housing).

Lucas claim to have fitted fog lamp part #55029E to the Barker bodied cars.

maintenance -

To be written...

problems -

To be written...

removal -

To be written...

other notes -

The pass lamp (small Lucas lamp fitted to the protruding bracket at N/S of front apron on the Briggs bodied LD10) is believed to have been bolted directly to the chassis passlamp bracket prior to May 1947. Subsequent cars were fitted with a passlamp distance piece, that raised the passlamp up much higher.

The headlamps on Briggs and Barker cars were quite different - for the Briggs, both headlamps went out when the dip switch was depressed, and the passlamp came on. For the Barker, a dipping bulbholder was fitted to the N/S headlamp to enable dipping but a single filament bulbholder was fitted to the O/S headlamp, which then went off.
For the Barker, this led to MOT failures, on the claim that the O/S dip had failed, and so the original wiring was usually modified.

It may be possible to adapt the more commonly available Lucas type LD109 sidelamp for the LD10 - the screw thread is vertical in this model and may need replacing with an angled thread from a donor lamp.
The (correct angled) sidelamps may also have been fitted to the Wolseley 8 & 10 (to 1948) and the Hillman Minx (1939-1940).

The foot-operated passlamp switch is probably a Lucas type FS22-1.

Replacement Lucas Model 467's are available from Vintage Supplies Ltd. as part #708.
A replacement Lucas FS22-1 is available from Vintage Supplies Ltd. as part #442.
Double-contact headlamp bulb holders (to fit the reflectors) are available from Vintage Supplies Ltd. as part #853.
Headlamp rim catches, spectacle clips, glass W-wires and headlamp badges are available from Vintage Supplies Ltd. part numbers #863B, #864, #642 (or #642A) and #516D respectively.
A replacement Lucas #571979 rubber gasket for the Model 464 lamp is made by Meteor Spares as part number P3/4 (T 1249).

If thinking of upgrading the headlamps (eg. to 50/40) be sure to check the wiring loom is capable of taking the additional current.

Lucas also made a white/clear rectangular lens for rear lights which can be used to replace the red lens (Barker) to facilitate indicator and/or reversing lights. This was also used on the Daimler Empress.

With the advent of 7" sealed beam units, the original 7.1/2" headlamps on the LD10 were quickly considered obsolete and many users upgraded their lights accordingly. Lucas produced a kit for this purpose - the headlamp rim being the only obvious, visible difference on the vehicle.

Due to difficulties passing the MOT, many users upgraded the wiring on their cars to allow dipping headlamps, instead of the separate passlamp. On the Barker cars, only one lamp needed upgrading in this way.
The often obsoleted passlamp on the Briggs cars was usually removed, or converted to a driving lamp or foglamp, with additional wiring.

The brake and tail lights bulbs are the BAY15D type (dual contact offset bayonet fitting).

diagrams -

All images below are scanned from originals, wherever possible, at 100dpi (unless otherwise noted) and must be scaled when printed to preserve the original size (eg. scale up by 3 times for a 300dpi printer).

Note, however, that due to slight scaling inaccuracies during both the scanning and inevitably the printing, these images should be taken as an approximation for reference only.
In addition, drawings, measurements and notes of materials used are intended as a guide and aid to the restorer, and not necessarily a definitive, or even guaranteed correct, reference.

The headlamp unit is sealed with a strip of extruded rubber with the profile shown, fitting over the lip of the shell and sandwiched between the glass and the headlamp rim.
This profile was taken from an original 7.1/2" headlamp and may not apply to those cars with 7" sealed beam or similar conversions.
This profile is available from Meteor Spares.

The headlamp glass is held in position (inside the rim) with a number (4 per headlamp is recommended) of glass clips shown in the left of the image.
Any of the varying designs shown will fit, as will some clips used to hold glass panes in glasshouses.
The headlamp rim catch clip is shown to the right of the image and holds the rim catch to the headlamp shell.
Altho simple to construct the clips from steel wire, they are readily available from several sources including Meteor Spares (who also sell the headlamp rim catch).

The rear number plate lamp (Barker) is sealed with a strip of extruded rubber with the outline shown, between the metal back-plate and the chrome cover and glass.
(Note that the seal is not flat but lipped - a profile will be available shortly).

Inside the rear number plate lamp (Barker), this grommet protects the wiring as it passes thru the metal backplate.
(Note that the grommet is a standard, conical wiring grommet, and the image shows only the profile of the larger (flat) side).

The rear lights (Barker) are enclosed in metal inserts which fit into the protruding bodywork. On the rear of these (ie. inside the wheel arch) are rubber boots to prevent the ingress of dirt into the rear lamp assembly.
(Note that only the end profile of the boot is shown here).

Between the chrome bezel and the rear light casing, is a rubber grommet to prevent the ingress of water.
(Note that the grommet is not flat but lipped - a profile will be available shortly).

The sidelamps are attached with the grommet shown between the lamp and bodywork (this reproduction grommet has not yet been cut to accept the sidelamp).
Despite the parts catalog showing different part numbers for O/S and N/S grommets, it is thought that they are identical.
(Note that the grommet is not flat but lipped - see below).
This grommet is available from Meteor Spares.

A detailed sketch of the black, rubber sidelamp grommet with relevant dimensions.
These sizes were taken from an original, used and very perished sample.
Note that an effective replacement can also be made from 1/8" thick rubber sheet (ie. the lip is not necessary).

The Barker-bodied LD10 has an aluminum trunk liner, through which the wiring for the number plate light passes, through the grommet shown.
This grommet is stepped, this being clearly visible in the image shown (looking from the front), however, there appears to be no reason for it to be so, and a simpler grommet would suffice.

links -

None yet.