The 'E' Type Forum

Looking through my many boxes of parts I have come across a pair of Butlers England number plate light surrounds, from what I can gleam from the web they would have been fitted to the early 3.8's not sure how they would have ended up on my series 1.5, any ideas?

They would not have been fitted at the Factory as they were fitted up until late 1961 when the Lucas marked items took over. Probably old stock fitted to the car during restoration or following a prang. Put them on eBay - reproductions cost £300! http://www.classicquality.co.uk/en/Jagu ... p221c72c73

Interesting to see you have one of each of the two variations, with the name stamped in different directions.

Hi David, Top of the class for observation, wouldn't of they been fitted as a hannded pair from factory?
Wow £300 for reproductions what are genuine ones worth? I may take your advice sell these buy the correct Lucas ones and have change for other parts

Butlers were part of Lucas and used to fulfill 'short' orders for quantities below 5,000 units. As Jaguar did not plan on making more than 2,500 E-Type's Butlers were used. I don't think the handed printing was deliberate, just down to the employees putting them whichever way in the presses. As to value I doubt originals are worth any more than the reproductions because the latter are so good. Stick them on eBay with a starting bid of £9.99 and see what happens. Add a link to the Forum Factory Fit thread to confirm originality: viewtopic.php?p=35522#p35522

There was a recent thread in the wanted/for sale section....someone was after a pair....

'Twas me that was looking for number plate lights . Didn't really fancy the repro units as I wanted the Lucas stamping. Couldn't find any easily. In the end purchased some from Richard Smith which he sold at a good price. Bit of new chrome needed as mentioned. Happy with these.

Tim