Mini headlamps?

[jan]

Gentlemen,

When I bought my P5B in 1996, it had Lucas PL tripod headlamps. These had been fitted by the previous owner who liked the look of them. Years later, I had to replace one of these headlamps when a small stone had gone through the glass. The replacement headlamp was, I think, of inferior quality and soon fogged up. Someone once told me the headlamp of a classic Mini is identical (or almost identical) to that of a P5. Is this correct? Would it be possible to fit Mini headlamps on a P5? I want to fit normal, standard headlamps on my car as it will probably have to pass an MOT next year (until recently, we didn't have an MOT for classic cars over here in Belgium). Thanks for your advice!

[Deleted]

Classic mini and lots of other older cars will fit. The headlamps are standard 7 inch sealed beam units which were fitted to hundreds of different vehicles years ago.The later 7 inch units with bulbs can also be used.
Avoid the cheap chinese copies and buy a recognised make,I fitted genuine Wipac to mine,not cheap but will last.

[Phil Nottingham]

The P5B used special and now are high wattage sealed beams 60/75w from memory not the standard common 45/60w fitted to virtually all British cars from approx 1962 well into the 80's.


They are a lot brighter although do not make much real difference where there is street lighting.

As to Wipac I fitted these to my wife's Mini in 1988 and the reflectors lasted till 2004 -  the replacement set is now failing.  I will revert back to sealed beams next time

[lagain]

The lamps are standard 7" and the most recent vehicle to use them was the Land Rover Defender, so if you look on ebay there are lots to choose from, mine are Wipac and then you can fit the bulb of your choice or even LED. You should be able to get lamps suitable for driving on the wrong side of the road !!!

As Phil says the original sealed beam lights were brighter than standard.

[Deleted]

I'm now told that the modern Wipac aren't a patch on the older ones. I bought some sealed beam units a while back as spares but I believe they are still made (I've seen some made by Ring at about £30 each ) . I know the new 'Lucas' stuff available now shares only its name with the original and apparently is pretty hopeless.
My taxi originally had sealed beams and like a ninny I replaced them with some halogen contraptions made by 'Autopal' (it seems a branch of Who Flung Dung and Co). They lasted less than a year before clouding over like a bank holiday week end.

[jan]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your advice... and for your British humour.

I didn't know these lamps were standard items. There is a company specialising in British (but not Rover) car parts where I live, so it should be easy to buy them.

Best regards

Jan

[djm16]

Have you tried cleaning the foggy one?
Introducing warm water and dish soap, shaking vigourously, then rinsing and draining.