Lucas or Sparto??

[KD1521]

Evening all. What lights should my 1960 SWB 2L Diesel have? The parts manual is not specific and shows both. Sparto or Lucas (L594 or L488)?? I have a mixture on there at the moment. Ta

[2DieselMan]

I believe that most SII's originally had Sparto's fitted. 

But I also believe that all SII's 58 to 61 had a basic Factory Specification of Front Side Lights and Rear Brake/Side Lights.   As Front & Rear Indicators also Sparto were an Optional Extra, as was things like, Water Temp/Oil Gauge, Smiths Heater, Map Light, Front Spot Lights, Rear Seats, Passenger Side Lucas FW2 Wiper Motor, etc

[autorover1]

The basic 1960  88" Diesel I once owned originally had no flashers as delivered as no legal requirement . The option list Shows Sparto or Lucas as alternatives . So which ones fitted depends a lot on circumstance or  when they were fitted. I fitted Lucas when I had the vehicle as they were a lot cheaper from Lucas direct than the Sparto from Rover

[Peter Holden]

Rob Maude has commented on FB to say that Lucas L488s were never fitted at the factory.  Our 59 still has its original Sparto rear lights but the fronts are long gone and we replaced them with Lucas L488s.  However our 58 wears Lucas L488s and we have photos from the late 60s showing it wearing L488s.  I would be surprised if anyone had changed them at that early stage given the known history of the car.

Peter

[Exile]

I suspect it depended a lot on what they could get supplies of at the time.

My early '59 diesel has these, both made by Sparto.: