TR2/3/3A TR3A Headlight questions

[TR3driver]

The wide ones seemed to be for American market primarily.

I'm not certain, but the evidence seems to suggest that the wide rims were fitted to cars for pretty much all markets. At least there is only one part number shown in the factory parts catalog (for all cars after TS32585) even though the headlight assembly is broken out into "home market", "export only, dip left (ie RHS)", "left hand steering", and "USA/Canada". And Bill Piggot says that all later 3A through 3B were fitted with the wide rims. Since he lives in the UK, he's usually up on what was fitted to UK cars even if he occasionally misses "export" options.

Of course that doesn't explain Don's car.

 

[TR3driver]

If I have this right, there were at least 3 styles of headlight rims, the rounded clip on, the screw type

There were two different "screw" types. On the earlier ones, the screw ran through the rim and into threads on the bucket. These were clearly only fitted to TR2-3, as there is no way to turn the screw with a 3A front apron.

 

[TomMull]

Randall,
Yes, there is little consistency in the rims, my own car TS73117 an example. See the picture below from 1964. It has the clip on type but the small round ones (I think the same as Don’s). However, the longer tube types have been called “export” or "American spec" rims, right or wrong.
My question though, is whether the smaller round clip type are the same as the screw type except, of course for the screws and clips. Could one, for example, split one of the clip type rims and add on the screw tabs? (I know it wouldn't be easy)
Tom

 

[Don Elliott]

Dan - Thank you for the favourable comment. In 2007, at VTR, I was awarded 2nd in the early TR3A class with 8 entries that were judged.

Look closely at the screws holding on the headlight rings on my 1958 TR3A. The screws aim down at about a 45 degree angle. No one specifies that you have to locate them under the bottom where you risk scratching the paintwork. The rings are handed. The incline for the tightening screw on the right side is accessable from the outside front corner of the car. I use a long straight screwdriver very carefully.

 

[Don Elliott]

Dan - Thank you for the favourable comment. In 2007, at VTR, I was awarded 2nd in the early TR3A class with 8 entries that were judged.

Look closely at the screws in my photo above which hold on the headlight rings on my 1958 TR3A. The screws aim down at about a 45 degree angle. No one specifies that you have to locate them under the bottom where you risk scratching the paintwork. The rings are handed. The incline for the tightening screw on the right side is accessable from the outside front corner of the car. I use a long straight screwdriver very carefully. You can see this below.

If I remember correctly if you put the screws in one way for one side, put the other screw in on the other split ring the other way around. So if you find you have two left ones, remove one screw and screw it in sort-of up-side-down and they will be "handed for LHS and for RHS.