Good evening all. It has become evident that A7's c1931/32 were fitted with R47 headlamps fitted with Lucas-Graves bulbs and glasses before the change to 35/32 lamps.
I am anxious to acquire a suitable R47 reflector, this is the type that is mounted on three spring loaded 'fingers' and has a 20mm(?) bulb holder to accommodate the Lucas-Graves (Bosch blue spot) bulb.
If anyone has one going spare I would be delighted to hear from them.
Regards from the creative county
Stuart

Location: Staffordshire

Stuart, do you want it to keep or just to copy???

Ian Mc.

Location: Shropshire

Stuart,

I am almost certain I can help you with one of those, give me a ring on 0141 942 8037 if you still need it.

Hello Ian. I didn't make myself clear in the posting - it's to make up a pair for a project I'm working on.
Regards
Stuart

Location: Staffordshire

One of the R47s on my car is like that. The other isnt!

I thought that only the offside light should have the graves mechanism?

Location: NZ

Hello Ian. I think you might be confusing two systems. The Lucas-Graves system was the first to employ twin filament bulbs with an internal reflector/mirror to divert the dip beam upwards onto the upper half of the reflector and then down onto the road. The main beam filament was located on the focus of the parabolic reflector, the light being reflected out parallel to the road.
The later electro-mechanical system fitted to LB130 lamps from 1933 employed a dipping reflector in the n/s lamp and a single filament bulb in the o/s lamp which was only lit on main beam.
Regards from the creative county
Stuart

Location: Staffordshire

Stuart writes:

Good morning Ruairidh. Further to our conversation I have attached a photo of the R47 reflector fitted with 'Lucas Graves' bulb holders.
Coincidentally I have just received a pair of R47's for re-furbishing from a December 1931 A7. Would you be good enough to post this on the forum please?
The 'Lucas-Graves' bulb holders have been removed and replaced with Ba bulb holders. However the method of attachment is interesting being held in place by a structure made from Meccano!
I think this confirms my conclusion that R47s were fitted well into 1932.
Regards from the creative county
Stuart

what wings are on the car Ruairidh/Stuart?

The R47 are vertical lamps, that is the button is on the top, the mount at the bottom.

As you well know on the earlier cars have a bracket mounted on top of the wings making this so (my RL does as does father AE - both with R47's),

Surely a '31 car would have the later curvy wings with the triangular strengthening underneath on the wing stays for an angled lamp?.

Were the R47 mounted on the scunt or does this car also have the earlier wings?

I always believed the move from R47's to the later angled 35/32 lamp happened when the wings were changed?

Good evening Hedd. Logic would suggest that R47's were concurrent with the more angular' wings and the mounting bracket. However I have just disposed of a pair of nos later 'curvy' wings and these had a single 9/16" mounting hole (with cable entry through the stem bolt) as did the reinforcing plate beneath. If the wings were designed for 'Lucas Graves' lamps I would have expected a 7/16th mounting hole and a smaller hole for the cable.
The mounting holes were positioned so the medallion on top was vertical.
The wings were attached to a 1932 AH/AJ (is there a difference?)tourer.
Regards from the creative county
Stuart

Location: Staffordshire

sounds like those wings were made to fit R47 on the scunt then

I am rebuilding a 1929 M-Type MG. Specs say R47B headlights. Have just found a pair of R47 with curved glass and LUCAS vertical logo in a cats eye ribbing. I know MG should have flat glass. Genius of the Lamp tell me these are lights wrong for my car and will sell me correct ones for 1200 pounds!!! Unfortunately I do not own a gold mine here so that is a no-go! How do I get the reflector assembly out of the h/lamp body? Lens and rim come off bayonet fitting and reflector seems to be spring-loaded but wont come out. Bulb holder is twin contact bayonet - Bb size maybe?

Location: Knysna South Africa

Hello Tony. R47s were fitted to MG 'M' types but the glasses that you have are certainly wrong as I suspect so are the reflectors.
email me photos so I can give a more considered response.
Regards from the creative county
Stuart

I used to be saddened by the demise of Meccano and associated ingenuity...but now am not so sure. Would have been a crafty adaptation if drilling of the reflector had been avoided.

Those that store such things may be interested that based on my car since 1940, RPs exported here sported two solenoid dipping lamps. Presumably a legal requirement, although oncoming cars with the UK system were seen into the 50s.

Bob Culver

Location: Auckland