Hillman Rear Lights

[Ian 46]

I would like to get my Crendon 427SC looking as authentic as possible and to that end I want to fit the 'square' Hillman type rear light units which I understand were original fittings on the 427 SC.

I have seen a Hawk 289 and other Crendons with this style of lights but I am not sure if they were fitted before or after the SVA test.

The reason for the question is, I want to know if I can fit them now during the build up and get the body sprayed or will I have to put the round rear lights on, get the car tested, then fit the square lights and spray the body at the end of the build.

If fitted now I realise I will have to rig up some sort of brackets etc for the indicator lights to get through the SVA and that in itself may prohibit the car passing.

How have other people managed?

Ian

[rich]

Hi Ian, you will have to fit them after SVA because the lights will fail the radius test, and unless you get the units adapted you will still need a separate indicator anyway as the L542 [Hillman] lights only have stop/side and a reflector.

HTH

[KevinW]

I saw an article on this site (I think) where a guy had carefully cut out the middle and added an orange plastic disc so that the flasher flashed orange, but wont solve the radius problem.

If you can bear it (wince) your cheapest solution is to fit BL mini indicators and stop lights for sva. the holes can probably be covered by the Imp lenses.
Apologies in advance if thats an insult for a crendon build.

Kevin

[Clive]

Hi Ian
Rich is correct in saying the L542 will fail the SVA on radius.
What I did for my SVA was to fit the round stop/tail light and the round reflector below and the indicator lower down where it still is.
By fitting the rear light and reflector close to each other the mounting holes are well within the area you need to remove for the L542 so no filling required.

[Purple AK]

Ian.
Beg, Borrow or Steal some L488 or L594 lights for the SVA along with stickon reflectors Then as Kev said replace then after. The L542's do cover the holes if your carefull. Have a word with GWAK (Gary) on the other site, As he imports them and does a nifty LED conversion to stop/tail and indicator in the same unit for not much money

[KevinW]

Originally Posted by Purple AK

Ian.
Beg, Borrow or Steal some L488 or L594 lights for the SVA along with stickon reflectors Then as Kev said replace then after. The L542's do cover the holes if your carefull. Have a word with GWAK (Gary) on the other site, As he imports them and does a nifty LED conversion to stop/tail and indicator in the same unit for not much money

I'll have spare mini indicators after 10th oct! (sva re-test). cant help with the stop lights.

Kev

[Ian 46]

Thanks for the info guys. Chris (Purple AK) as I am new to all this forum stuff, I don't know who Gary is or what the other site means. Please clarify.

I knew the whole idea was going to be complicated, so I am leaning towards fitting the square rear lights after the SVA test and carrying out any body shaping/re-profiling spraying at that stage.

Ian

[Purple AK]

Originally Posted by Ian 46

Thanks for the info guys. Chris (Purple AK) as I am new to all this forum stuff, I don't know who Gary is or what the other site means. Please clarify.

I knew the whole idea was going to be complicated, so I am leaning towards fitting the square rear lights after the SVA test and carrying out any body shaping/re-profiling spraying at that stage.

Ian

Sorry Ian.
Gary (user name GWAK) is the guy you need to talk to

[Neil O]

The Hillman lights definitely cover the holes on a Crendon.
Just fit the SVA round ones and change them later as a winter job.

John will have already cut the tail light holes in the body, so all you will need to do is trim the centre part out when you change them. This shouldn't affect the painting of the car, either before or after you change them.

[dingocooke]

hmmm..interesting thread (for me) this one, as my Crendon (chassis 29 which is the 'new' body shape) has the later Austin Healey type lights which John Kerr drills the holes for, and I have a pair of the Hillman lights from FinishLine (which I also prefer); however, I removed the Healey lights, and offered up the Hillman ones, and whilst you can get them to cover the holes, there is a noticeble flat area of the body moulding at the rear lights, which is covered by the Healey lights, but not covered by the Hilman ones, so this would need to be addressed before paint to get the desired effect later.
Id be very tempted in your case Ian, to fit the Hilman lights now (to make the holes blend the body to the lights shape etc) then take them off, and make some adaptor plates or whatever to put SVA compliant lights on for the test.
Unfortunately if you leave it until after paint (as my car) its not a quick change (well not for me, so have I missed something, or am I being too picky?)