The 'E' Type Forum

The front side light lens used on the 3.8 and early 4.2 cars is significantly different to the design used on the later 4.2 cars:
3.8:

4.2:


For some reason (damage to mould or better light output?) Lucas/Jaguar changed the internal design of the lens. Where previously it was a random array of small dots it became a central 'Fresnel' type lens. This was achieved by removing the central part of the mould and letting in the new design. The 3.8 lenses are no longer available because the original moulds were irrevocably changed. Originals are rare, sought after and you can expect to pay ?50+ each on eBay, but they are unlikely to be of show quality.

We have now been able to make exact copies of these lenses from a selection of five originals I supplied. Although the interior of the lenses were in excellent condition the exteriors had been subjected to blasting from grit and stones, the opacity was affected by exposure to UV light. After considerable work a perfect copy has now been made as you can see. These are accurate in every detail - shape, size, printing, numbers, and opacity. So for the first time in 50 years:

Original on the left, copy on the right:






Although the associated indicator lens did not change an exact copy of that has been made as well. They will be offered as complete sets in either white/amber or white/white (USA). The only parts you will need will be the polished bands off your old lenses and the (optional) foil blanking plate between the two lenses. SNGB can supply the bands if yours are missing.

These can only be produced at a rate of two per day and the price is expected to be ?60/pair (i.e both sides of the car) + p&p in your choice of amber/white or white/white. I will post pictures of the complete units in the next few days. If you are interested in a pair please add a post with what you want to this thread or PM me. They should be available from next week on a first come first, served basis. As I said, these were fitted to all 3.8's (including the Lightweights) as far as we know. The rear lenses did not change.

Note: I was involved in creating these lenses but I am making no financial gain. The moulds and production are being handled by someone else.

David,

Put me down for a set of white/white. Can they be split so at a later date if I wanted to change back to amber for the indicator I could remove the white clear part and change?

Dave

Yes, they will come as two separate lenses which you can choose to glue together or they can be retained by the bands. The two lenses actually interlock anyway with the band as a retainer.

That's four sets ordered already!

Hi David
Just sent a PM for a white/white
Thanks
Jonathan

Just for info its David Jones (Heuer) you need to PM, not me I have nothing to do with project.
Thanks

Dave

First couple of weeks production now sold.

Even if you don't intend to enter your 3.8 into a concours do you really want it to look like a 4.2 :D

This is what I like about this forum, you learn something new every day!
I knew about the screws but not the clear lenses, never noticed.

Put me down for a pair of amber/white please.
I'm now going to have to dig about all the scrap bits lying around to see if I have any old originals.

Michael

Production is under way!


Indicator part of the lenses will be made this coming week.

You can now order these lenses directly from Marek - contact via PM

Interestingly it looks like these lenses were also fitted to early production 4.2 cars as well. Not sure if this was because they were using up existing stock or the change in design happened later than we thought.

The chrome plated lens retaining slotted screws (Lucas 106871; Jaguar #8606) were of a unique design and featured a lead in nipple on the end. The thread is odd as well. These are now available from Richard Smith 01270 780954 rmj@rmjsmith.fsnet.co.uk:


The special slotted chrome screws retaining the side/stop/tail/flasher lenses were held in place by 3/8" diameter rubber washers #6524. These acted to both retain the screws when the lens was removed and, more importantly, act as a buffer between the lens and casting. If the washers are omitted there is a high likelihood the lens will crack or the fragile screw recess will part company. They are no longer available from the usuals but I found a suitable alternative as M4 9mmx4mmx1.5mm rubber washers. Not cheap (25 for ?10.75 +p&p) but a lot cheaper than the lenses!: http://shop.deltarubber.co.uk/rubber-wa ... herm4.html

More information is coming to light which suggests these lenses were also fitted to 4.2 cars up until about March 1965. This is a Forum members car #1E30806 built 4th March 1965.:


I have checked through a number of un-restored cars on XKEdata and they validate the theory. I guess we should now refer to the lenses as either 'fluted' or 'fresnel' and standard fitment on all cars up to March 1965.

David/Marek,

How and when do we pay for the lenses?

Dave

I have passed the details of everyone who has ordered to Marek who will contact you when the order is ready to ship with a request for address details and payment. Production of the fluted lens is continuing and Marek hopes to have the long indicator lenses produced this week. Presumably shipping will start in a week or so.

Hi David,

Isn't it too late to order a pair of 3.8L lens ?

Regards
Michel

Not at all. I will put your name down and Marek will be in touch when they are ready. White/Amber or White/White?

Good news !
The color for me is White/Amber ( France )

Thanks
kind regards
Michel

Marek has now completed the first sets. They look fantastic!





"Dear S1 owners,

I have finally got to the stage of being able to make a near flawless replica of the 1961 front turn signal lenses which remained OEM fitment to the E-Type until the first few months of S1 4.2 production sometime into the first/second quarter of 1965. This has been a very time consuming process, as the only surviving examples to work with are now either badly pitted, broken or simply too badly preserved to be worth considering. The modern lenses available from the usuals are slightly different in that, aside from the different pattern on the tip, they have distinguishing marks which were not present on the originals. The current SNGB items have a clear line of plastic on the inside corresponding to a chip taken out of the mold under the "L652" of the long casting and those offered by David Manners do not have the words "LUCAS" on either part, have an additional tiny "XK" stamp on the inside of the central plug of the long castings and have a wholly different font for the writing on the clear tips. Despite this, after several iterations, replica items are now able to be made and they do not sport any of these later additions or alterations to the original tooling. Neither do the parts have any distinguishing marks to show how they were made and this is why they should be considered "replicas", not "repros". Production will be in limited numbers as the process is time consuming, effectively being hand made to very high standards, with there being four separate parts to complete each job. Accordingly the price for a set of two lens pairs will be ?75 or $110 plus postage (from the UK) .

I'd like to thank David Jones for his help with this - my digital camera has limited resolution and my computer doesn't let me post pictures readily, hence his fronting the initial announcement. There is currently a backlog of orders and I will contact people in turn for their address and payment details when their items are finished and ready to ship.

Kind Regards

Marek Hermaszewski"

Marek sent an email out today with info about the lenses and then a follow up email.
For info my replies bouncing back as undeliverable!

Dave

Dear Dave,

I also had a bounced email problem back to myself before 9am today but a couple of people have subsequently got through to me this afternoon. The problem is/was a DNS resolution problem at my ISP, but emails directly to my gmail address get through.

Either way, you should still be able to pm me.

kind regards
Marek

Just received the sidelight lenses from Marek and the quality is superb. Well done that man.

Cheers

Alan

Just got back from holiday to find a set of Marek's lenses waiting for me. The quality is superb and the fit is excellent. I have spent the last 15 minutes with a magnifying glass comparing them to an original lens and every single detail has been replicated. Fantastic work!

Incidentally these are the original blanking plates which prevent light bleed between the indicator and side lights:


They are not reproduced