Reversing light brackets location

[JamesGPJones]

I'm trying to install reversing lights on my series 2 e type, but I'm completely stumped by where they should go, and how the brackets fit. The car has never had them whilst in our possession. I'm aware there's two usual fitments: UK cars have them wide apart to avoid a wide number plate, whilst US have them close together. I have the correct brackets for a UK car. However, following fitting instructions would lead to my reversing lights being mounted directly behind the overriders, which would obscure them. I'm stumped. I've even looked at a car at CMC classics, but that seemed to have a third solution and was different again. SNG Barrett's couldn't advise me. Advice would be most welcome. Thanks.

[mgcjag]

The horizontal panel above the numberplate panel has the rectangular numberplate lamp in the center....outboard and either side of this lamp there should be 2 small square holes(either side)....special square shaped plastic plugs fit into these holes....the reverse lamp brackets fit to these with self tap screws....Steve...ps the above info is assuming your after UK spec with the bracket you show above.....for US spec thete is a different bracket with one bolt hole to fit to the bumper https://www.martinrobey.com/jaguar/e-ty ... -lamp/8137

[Gfhug]

Or speak to MarekH of this forum (search for his user name) and buy from him his LED S2 rear lights that incorporate reversing lights. A neat solution and means you can also get rid of the hideous wheelbarrow style exhaust pipes and fit the S1 style and put on a rectangular number plate instead of the square one.

Geoff

[JamesGPJones]

I'm aware of the square holes that accept plastic inserts for a self tapping screw. The problem I have is that if I use them then the reversing lights are too high and are obscured by the overriders. I'm definitely missing something. Perhaps there's a spacer or a secondary bracket or something? The lights need to be a good 2 inches lower.

[mgcjag]

Can you post a photo of you brackets attached to your car showing your overriders....are your bumpers and over riders fitted correctly...Steve

[JamesGPJones]

Thanks Steve. Although I'm aware the holes should exist, my car doesn't actually have them as it was a new panel specially made some 25 years ago. I can't attach them. I'd have to drill them. Some images I've seen of other cars have the lights far apart to avoid a rectangular number plate. The hole locations I've seen seem to align with this. Note how the holes in this image seem to be further out than the US reversing light that's attached (it's a little dark but you can just about make them out). My car has always had a rectangular number plate at the back. If we're saying that was never right and it should have square, then I'll get a square one. I just need to make absolutely sure that's right first.

[mgcjag]

Rectangular numberplate is incorrect for a S2(Uk) the photo I posted above is correct....a square numberplate and exhaust pipes bent outwards to fit either side of the square plate...Steve

[Gfhug]

But look at post 289 here for how it can look with straight exhausts and rectangular plate:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3359&start=280

Geoff

[JerryL770]

This is mine before and after fitting Marek's LED conversion:
Before

Reverse lights before_s.JPG (205.14 KiB) Viewed 94866 times

After

Reverse lights after.JPG (232.03 KiB) Viewed 94866 times

It is not necessary to buy Marek's complete lenses though (sorry Marek). The inside red lenses can easily be removed to be replaced with Marek's white reverse light unit which actually doubles as additional brake light. It is necessary to solder bullets to the wires though for connection to your own wiring.

[lowact]

Here are mine, not the subject of the photo but still visible. Tiny little LED spotlights, a few bucks on ebay. Unnoticeable behind the bumper, they shine down and back (45deg) and provide more light than the old incandescents. No mods required to the car, they mount to the existing holes, the holes you see in James’s photo (post #6). I did have to slightly increase the size of the mounting holes in the light fitting, to match the existing holes in the car.

[UK Muppet]

Hi Colin,
Would they be these lights?




Tony

[lowact]

Yep

[MarekH]

...It is not necessary to buy Marek's complete lenses...

Seal Team Six will be visiting you shortly.

The story of how the reversing lights even came about is as follows. My car is a US car. These were originally fitted with red rear lenses and a chrome housing with side by side indicators and stop lights. Prior to the annual rolling extension of the historic car status, cars like mine had to pass a UK MOT and to do so, they had to have amber indicators, not red. As Lucas never made rear lenses with a red/amber vertical split, the enterprising previous owner of my car simply masked off the relevant part of the rear lens with red electrical tape and miraculously, no one noticed.

I decided I could do better, so I made a set of rear lenses with a vertical red/amber split, as the alternative was to purchase two new chrome housings and two new rear lenses, both with a horizontal red/amber split, as the lenses had to match the housings and this was the only way to get amber indicators -clearly a very expensive prospect.

The whole reversing light hoo-ha was simply to tidy up the appearance of the rear of the car and provide better illumination than the Lucas festoon bulbed square blocks. LED bulbs hadn't yet become a thing, so this was actually a very cost effective way to get an MOT passable imported car with better rear illumination.

A few years later, I replaced the white LEDs with a dual purpose white and red LED board. This additional upgrade and helps keep you safe should a bulb fail, since you have doubled the number of your stop lights.

kind regards
Marek

[JerryL770]

...It is not necessary to buy Marek's complete lenses...

Seal Team Six will be visiting you shortly

[johnetype]

...It is not necessary to buy Marek's complete lenses...

As Lucas never made rear lenses with a red/amber vertical split,

a very cost effective way to get an MOT passable imported car with better rear illumination.

Or you just use Lucas rear lights from a Lotus Elan/Europa. You get the correct Amber/Red split and reversing lights built in. It's then your choice to fit led or original incandescent bulbs.

Jaguar never paid Lucas for exclusive use of the rear lights for the S2 E type (allegedly) so Lotus was able to use them straight from the Lucas parts bin - although they did transpose them from right to left.

[MarekH]

Or you just use Lucas rear lights from a Lotus Elan/Europa. You get the correct Amber/Red split and reversing lights built in.

If you want to spend the thick end of £650 on lights, go ahead.
See https://www.holden.co.uk/p/lucas_l807_t ... lamp_lotu1

kind regards
Marek

[JerryL770]