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Speedo High Beam Warning Light Color

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R

Ron WLA

Freshman Member
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I need some help with the proper color for the high beam warning light and the ignition warning light in my ‘61 BN7.


The 2004 Originality Guide (page 9) says that cars destined for “continental export” had blue warning lights for the high beam and red for the ignition warning light. My car was shipped directly to California for sale by a dealer here. Is that considered “continental export”?


I just had my speedo repaired by Foreign Speedo. The little colored lens for the high beam warning light was missing since I bought the car. Preston told me they discovered a red lens inside and he reinstalled it.


So, I am wondering if it should be blue or red? Since I have the gage out, now would be the time to make it right if I can find out what is right.


Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks


Ron Fine
 
steveg said:
Roger,
Your cars are newer and the high beam these days is blue - do you know for a fact the '61 Healey uses blue for the high beam?

I don't have my car right now, but seem to remember the high beam may not be blue on my '59.
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For a fact, I don't know that a 61 US-bound Healey has a blue high-beam light. However, I am an old Englishman and had several BMC cars of that ERA, from 59 onwards, and in UK at least they were blue. Didn't have a Healey though.
 
I have a 1960 BT7 that I've owned since 1963. It was imported directly to California. Both ignition and high beam lights had red lenses. The Drivers Hand Book that came with the car confirmed the high beam lens was red. I would be surprised if the 1961 was different than mine. High beams were changed to blue at sometime in the future but I don't know the change point.
 
Direct quote from my original 100-Six handbook.

’Main Beam Warning Light: A red glow appears when the headlights are switched on, with the two beams straight ahead. The light goes out when the headlights are dipped.’
 
Roger said:
Well there you are then. Apologies!
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Not necessary! All in the spirit of answering the original question. On these British Car Forums I love exploring the arcane questions about our old LBCs! Once again, we're medieval monks poring over the ancient manuscripts, perhaps looking for the answer on turning base metal into gold.
 
steveg said:
... Once again, we're medieval monks poring over the ancient manuscripts, perhaps looking for the answer on turning base metal into gold.
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Somehow it seems to be more work and money than the price of gold. Thankfully, it's good entertainment.
 
I had to laugh at Ron's original post. I too found the red lens disk in the bottom of the speedo can when I opened it up years ago. I'm not clear if the lenses were glued in or just a press fit, but obviously they were subject to falling out. I can count on one hand the number of Smith speedos and tachs from the era that still have the lenses. Doubt if I've ever seen one on the gauges sold on eBay.
 
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