This section covers MGA dashboard switches, warning lamps and the horn and its mounting hardware. MGA dashboard controls were designed to a consistent factory style with round black knobs (except the lever-type indicator switch and the white windscreen washer push), white engraved lettering and round chrome-plated bezels.
Lucas Windtone horns, WT618-L low note and WT618-H high note
The factory horn fitment is a single Lucas Windtone type WT618-L (Lucas part number 69046), the low-note horn, mounted on the inside of the right-hand chassis front extension below the radiator duct valance panel. An additional high-note horn, type WT618-H (Lucas part number 69047), was available as an optional extra from new, paired with the low-note horn to give the twin-tone sound characteristic of many factory-upgraded period cars. MGOC stocks both horns as Windtone-pattern complete assemblies. For factory-specification single-horn cars, order the low-note WT618-L alone; for the factory twin-horn option or to restore a car originally supplied with the high-note accessory, both horns are needed.
Factory horns were painted black.
Horn mounting brackets, left and right hand
MGOC stocks left-hand and right-hand horn-to-chassis brackets. The single factory-fitment low-note horn mounts on the right-hand side; the high-note horn, when the twin-tone option is specified, mounts on the left-hand side. The brackets are handed because the mounting geometry to the chassis front extension differs between the two sides. Confirm which horn is being fitted before ordering the correct bracket.
Dashboard switches, pull/push type
The MGA dashboard uses two-position pull/push switches controlling multiple circuits. The switches are a common specification across applications, light master switch, wiper switch, map light switch, overdrive switch (where fitted), panel light switch, with the function identified by the engraved lettering on the knob rather than by a different switch body. MGOC stocks the pull/push switch body as a common service item alongside the marked knobs specific to each function.
Dashboard knobs, MGA-specific markings
Dashboard knobs are stocked individually and as a complete dash knob set. The knobs follow the factory pattern with white engraved letters on black bodies: the plain knob for cars where the knob is used on a function without specific marking; the wiper knob (marked "W" with arrow); the light master knob (marked "L"); and the panel/instrument lights knob for the panel light switch marked "P". Other factory-specified knobs, fog lamp switch (F), choke pull (C) and starter pull (S), follow the same pattern. The starter pull knob is omitted on cars fitted with a steering lock (introduced by Neiman from approximately May 1961); on late Mark II export cars the redundant hole for the starter pull was filled with a special blanking button.
Bracket, starter switch
A dedicated starter switch bracket is stocked to mount the starter solenoid switch to the chassis.
Windscreen washer pump knob
A dedicated knob for the manual windscreen washer pump, marked "Push screen washer", is stocked. The factory specification is a white push for the washer (distinct from the otherwise-black dashboard controls), a small but visible detail of MGA dashboard authenticity.
Warning lamps and indicator lenses
MGOC stocks a three-colour warning lamp assembly with blue, green and red lenses, taking a BT8 MES (BA7) bulb, the factory warning lamp used for indicator repeat (green), main beam (blue) and ignition/charge (red). A separate green indicator lens in MGA 73-pattern is stocked as a service replacement. Warning lamp bezels are stocked in bright finish. The 1600 Mk II moved the direction indicator warning light inboard and upwards for improved visibility through the steering wheel, and the dimple for the warning light in the panel was omitted; some late US export Mk II cars may have lacked the warning light altogether.
The matching BT8 MES-type bulb, 2.2W clear, is stocked as a service item.
Mounting hardware
UNF hex-head screws in 1/4 and 5/16 sizes, with matching zinc nuts and spring washers, cover the dashboard-mounting and horn-bracket fixings.
Ordering considerations
For factory-specification single-horn cars, the Lucas Windtone WT618-L low-note horn alone is correct; for twin-horn specification, both WT618-L and WT618-H are required.