Front lighting on the MGA covers headlamps (including the unit, lens, reflector, bulb and pilot light), sidelamps with integral front flashing indicators, and any auxiliary lamps fitted to the factory bumper mounting points. Front lighting is one of the most variant-and-market-specific areas of the MGA: different dip patterns, different lens types, different bulb bases and different pilot-light arrangements were fitted depending on where the car was originally sold. This section covers all items needed to restore or service front lighting on a pushrod 1500, 1600, 1600 Mk II, Twin Cam or De Luxe.
Headlamp units, factory pattern
The factory-specification headlamp on most MGAs is the Lucas F700 Mark VI. MGOC stocks new headlamp assemblies to the factory pattern in both right-hand drive and left-hand drive specifications, the LHD unit has its dip pattern oriented to suit left-hand drive road use, and the RHD unit vice versa. Sealed beam headlamp units are also stocked in both RHD and LHD specifications, including a 65/55W sealed beam RHD unit with pilot light, the pilot light being the small auxiliary filament within the headlamp that operates as a sidelamp or running light on some installations. A headlamp without pilot light is stocked for LHD cars where the separate sidelamp arrangement makes the integral pilot light unnecessary.
USA-specification sealed beam
From 1600 chassis 70222, cars destined for the USA were supplied with Lucas SB700 Mark VIII headlamps with factory-installed sealed beam units. Earlier US-market MGAs were shipped with Mark VI lamps without light units, fitted with Ward and Goldstone adaptors for sealed beam units to be installed locally. MGOC stocks a sealed beam USA headlamp unit specifically for American-specification cars.
Tripod BPF headlamp, non-original period fitment
MGOC also stocks a tripod BPF headlamp in LHD specification, the P700-pattern lamp with the distinctive three-finger lens design. The tripod lens was never factory-original on any MGA, despite being a common sight on restored cars today; the factory F700 has a plain dished lens rather than the tripod pattern. The tripod lamp is stocked for owners who prefer the period aesthetic on their car, or for cars that have been retrofitted at some point and are being maintained in that specification.
Headlamp bulbs, BPF and P45t bases
Two bulb base standards are used on MGA headlamps depending on the lamp unit fitted. BPF P36d type is British Pre-Focus with a 36mm-diameter double-contact base, the factory bulb standard for Lucas F700 and similar traditional UK-pattern lamps. MGOC stocks BPF P36d bulbs in both RHD (50/40W) and LHD specifications, both clear. P45t type is an alternative 45mm bayonet base used on some later or replacement headlamp units; both a standard 45/40W clear and an upgraded 60/55W halogen version are stocked.
The halogen bulb offers noticeably brighter output than the original tungsten filament and retains the P45t base, so it is a direct fit in existing lamp units without modification. The bulb base standard must match the lamp unit. Fitting a BPF bulb in a P45t-pattern lamp or vice versa is not possible, the base dimensions and contact arrangement differ.
Where a car has been retrofitted with aftermarket lamp units, confirm the bulb type required before ordering.
Wiring adaptor for BPF headlamp
A headlamp wiring adaptor is stocked for BPF-type units, allowing a modern BPF-pattern replacement to be wired into the original MGA harness with the correct connection pattern. This is a service item for restoration work where the original headlamp-end wiring has been lost or damaged.
Sidelamps and front flashing indicators
The original sidelamps (incorporating the front flashing indicators) were type 539 on all 1500 cars and on Twin Cams until chassis 2192. From Twin Cam chassis 2193 and on all 1600 models, the larger type 632 lamps were fitted. MGOC stocks both types as complete lamp assemblies and as individual service parts. Lens colours differ by market: home and most export had amber/white 632 lenses (amber upper for indicator, white lower for sidelamp); USA, Canada, Italy and Switzerland had all-white 632 lenses.
Ordering considerations
Headlamp ordering starts with the drive hand (RHD or LHD) and the country of original supply, cars for the USA need the sealed beam specification; home-market RHD cars use the factory F700 Mark VI pattern; European LHD cars require the appropriate dip-pattern lens. For bulbs, confirm whether the lamp fitted is BPF P36d or P45t. Sidelamps are selected by variant and chassis number: type 539 for 1500 / Twin Cam to 2192; type 632 from Twin Cam 2193 / 1600 onwards.