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Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - TF headlight trim rings

Has anyone been successful in finding NEW replacement trim rings for the TF that have the original profile? Seems all the replacements have a more angular profile than the originals, which have a smooth curve to the headlight.
I bought a pair of NOS Wipax rings recently, thinking I found them. But, no, these look just like the pair I bought on line from NOS Liquidators.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Check with Abindgon Spares and see if they have any old real Lucas rims.
George Butz

Hi Tom,

Yes,most of the TF repro. headlamp rings have the incorrect profile often also in some cases with only a 'dimple' for the the top rivet !

However,many English cars had TF headlamp rings fitted originally. MGAs,Morris Minors,Austin,Wolseley etc had the Lucas TF rings.

A word of warning re the re chrome process of the the rings-Polishers/Electroplaters can easily linish the top of the copper rivet off your rim in one second ! Alert them to be very careful over the rivet area. I have the rim stripped with reverse electrolysis,bring it home and do all the preparatory work myself.
This usually requires removal of a few dents,judicious use of Mill Second Cut files,sanding through the abrasive paper grades,and then finally polishing the rim on a buff
ready to hand back to the Chrome Plater.

Of course,the top rivet can be removed prior to restoration work commencing making for an easier polishing process. You then would have to replace same after the new chrome has been applied.

I am sure we would probably have bbs td tf members who have rims/rings somewhere in their Garages or you could seek out others on the MGA site?

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

I found some really good ones on ebay uk. From time to time you even find NOS Lucas chrome rings on there.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I don't know if this helps, but I recently discovered that the headlight rims for the TD are now readily available. However, they are not identified as such-- they are only identified as for a vintage Norton motorcycle. I have a NOS headlight rim in the original Lucas box and I verified the Lucas part number against the Norton offering (which can be found on eBay in a new Lucas box). I purchased the Norton rim and it does indeed match the TD rim.

I know the TD and TF rims are not the same, but perhaps you can cross-reference the rim to a British bike, as well, and find it that way.
David Littlefield

David and all
Thanks for your comments. I did more on line digging and I found 7 in trim rings with the original style of profile that are used on classic Minis and early 60's Land Rovers. These are available new.
Have any of you TF owners out there used rings from other sources like this? Happy with the appearance?

I do have a pair of old originals, actually dent free. The issue is re-chroming. Nothing available in my area and, as you all know, costs keep going up and up for re-chrome.

Tom
'54 TF

T Norby

Tom: For plating you might contact McKenzie Chrome Plating in Springfield Oregon at 541-747-6148. They're local to me and I've used them in the past but can't vouch for their prices today.
John Quilter

This thread was discussed between 05/01/2017 and 08/01/2017

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.