TR Switch Bezels

[Simmo]

Does anyone know where I can purchase dashboard switch bezles to suit the Lucas switches on a TR3A?

 

[6TTR3A]

There are four different sizes for TR sidescreen switches;
Push-pull, rheostat panel and starter(same size), light,and ignition.
I've been "mucking about" those switches for years & I've
never been able to source just the bezels. They were all
made by Lucas originally, but that part of the firm no longer exists.
There are aftermarket manufactures but you have to purchase the entire
switch to get the bezel and even then the bezel design is often different than the original.
I've looked into having them machined but the set-up costs are prohibitive.
Somewhere in the world there is a LBC pack-rat with a big box of nothing
but bezels but I haven't found him yet !!
Frank

 

[Simmo]

Hey Frank,

Thanks a million for that info, although dissapointing, it saves me pulling my hair our looking in vein.
I did see a page somewhere that a mob who sells Aston Martin gear has had simular machiened out of stainless steel. They have a different thread to Lucas and didnt mention the cost.
Regards

Ian

 

[TR3driver]

rheostat panel and starter(same size),

Same thread maybe, but not the same bezel, right? IIRC The starter pushbutton bezel is a rounded ring similar to the ignition switch, while the rheostat bezel has a tapered area, similar to the headlight and wiper switches.

The cars I've owned have all been too early to have the rheostat, but that's what I recall from later cars. This isn't a wonderful photo (blown up quite a bit) but maybe you can see what I'm talking about:

 

[6TTR3A]

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="color: #003300">Randall, You're absolutely correct; Same thread, different design BUT I've seen 100 point cars (back east) with the incorrect design & no points off.
....Your photo is the correct configuration.
....Note that when the rheostat was introduced it had to be moved down one because it would no longer fit in the top hole (wouldn't clear the ignition/turn lights)
....The photo in Piggott's <span style="font-style: italic">Original Triumph TR2/3/3A</span>,p46 is incorrect & misleading to the contentious restorer.</span></span>

 

[TR3driver]

....Note that when the rheostat was introduced it had to be moved down one because it would no longer fit in the top hole (wouldn't clear the ignition/turn lights)

Right. The panel itself is also different, because the rheostat takes a larger hole than the wiper switch (which was in that position on earlier cars with the on/off for the panel lights).