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Lucas PL 700 tripods

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I

ichthos

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Well, got an email from TRF about PL 700 tripods on sale and ordered the same day. Of course they were out of stock by the time I called in. I was told, " We will have more in stock any day now." Not having one order actually completed by these people in the last year, I decided to check back. Apparently they will be "out of stock" for a long time (no longer available.) So now my question. Does anyone know a source for these headlights? I have seen NOS on Ebay for between $350 and $400, and some reproductions for $150, but they are no longer available. I would really like used original tripods in decent shape, but I would consider other options.Thanks for your help/suggestions.

Kevin
 
I guess that I got lucky when I replied to the email within minutes of getting it. Mine arrived last Thursday and I installed them Saturday. If you can wait, it's a HUGE difference, well worth the $150.

I have only a few parts that are really meaningless on back order with them at this time. I actually thought that their fill rate improved a lot in the past 12 months.
 
I am getting to the point where I only order parts that I do not need right away from these TRF. It is not a matter of patience at this time for the tripods. TRF says they flat out don't have any and doesn't know if they will get more in the future. Apparently the vendor that TRF was buying the tripods from abruptly stopped making the lights without explanation; the person on the phone said they no longer have a source for these at the moment. So, I guess it will be a matter of patience and the right price. Hopefully I will get some help from the forum or luck out at one of the local British car shows this summer.

Kevin
 
If you are just interested in better lighting, and not the (non-original) look of the PL-700s, I'd suggest the domed Cibie lamps from
https://www.danielsternlighting.com
plus relays as documented on the site. The difference is incredible !

Others have written that some of the reproduction PL700s are junk from an optics standpoint, and I believe them.
 
TR3driver said:
...the (non-original) look of the PL-700s....
Click to expand...
Depends on the car. If you want to get really "technical" about it, the P700 (with the little round emblem in the center and a different lens pattern and bulb arrangement) is the "appropriate" accessory/replacement headlamp for TR2 through early TR4. In fact, that is what you'll see in many sales brochures and factory publicity photos of these cars. The PL700 came a bit later...perhaps 1960 or so, but wasn't quite as common until maybe the mid-1960s? In original Lucas runs, both were very nice upgrades from a typical US sealed-beam unit, with all the optical qualities of a shower door. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

I definitely agree, though, that any 7" round Cibie (or Hella and maybe a couple other brands) H4 or similar headlamp will literally make a night v. day difference. For that matter, I still have stashed away an old pair of Citie "Optique" headlamps, with a concave lens. These also took the same Type A tungsten bulb as did original PL700s and had a fantastic light pattern: bright, and an extremely well-defined cutoff for low beams.
 
Andrew Mace said:
TR3driver said:
...the (non-original) look of the PL-700s....
Click to expand...
Depends on the car. If you want to get really "technical" about it, the P700 (with the little round emblem in the center and a different lens pattern and bulb arrangement) is the "appropriate" accessory/replacement headlamp for TR2 through early TR4.
Click to expand...
Not in the US they weren't ! Literally illegal to use them here, at the time (although certainly some people did sell them).
 
TR3driver said:
Not in the US they weren't ! Literally illegal to use them here, at the time (although certainly some people did sell them).
Click to expand...
Right. I never said they were legal; I was referring to "period correct" appropriateness! Laws and/or enforcement of same tended to vary somewhat from state to state, but basically NOTHING except a sealed beam with molded-in aiming tabs would've been "legal" for use on US roads back then.
 
Well, good things do come to those that wait. I lucked out and won a bid on a pair of Lucas PL 700's on Ebay for $120. They are used from an estate sale. I guess I am happy TRF ran out after all since I would rather have used old stock than new reproductions anyway. They looked to be in pretty good condition from the pictures. We'll see. O.K., on to the next obsession for my TR6. Thanks for all the input.

Kevin
 
Good luck, Kevin. Originals are reasonably durable...unless you live in the rust belt and drive your car year-round (like I used to, many years ago), in which case the reflectors deteriorate. Doesn't always cause fatal damage to the output, but it tends to look bad and and make state safety inspectors upset. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
I don't know if I should start a new post, but are there clear protectors that look good, fit well, and protect the headlight?
Kevin
 
That would probably distort the light pattern . there are metal ones.
 
You sly dog, you!

Now I know how you won 3rd place against all of those beauties. You had the tripods!!

I'm glad I have mine now.
 
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