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On the website it still appears to be for sale – is it sold?
I haven’t tracked down the part but it’s almost exactly the same as the boot lid and rear door light switch escutcheons – except they have Lucas written on them.
No, never found one. It just sits in place – actually not that much of a problem…
Were these locks used on RR around that period as well? The eBay lock looks quite different, would it have to be heavily modified?
There are two ‘new old stock’ RH P5 Mk 2 rear door handles on eBay at the moment. These have the tapered button and should fit earlier Rapides (I’m not sure what number upto). I’ve just ordered a LH for mine as the chrome on one has some pitting. I’ll let you know if it fits okay – if so they’re worth having as good spares. The link is here;
Thanks David, I have replied…
Hi, thanks all! The blue label is a ‘Coopers Air Filter’ label – mine was replaced about 500 miles ago so is in good nick – I don’t think there are any replacements left – or are there? I wasn’t planning to put a pad under the bonnet as I don’t think there was one originally, but if drumming is a problem I might reconsider! I’m quite proud of the original brake fluid caps…and they work! For those who don’t know, the red ignition light also tells you when your handbrake is on and if the brake fluid is low…
I’m told this is now sold?
Very nice interior! Well done on finding out where the switch gear is from.
Hi Ray, you’re right – it is a C48. – oops! An electric fan like the one I’ve fitted will put about 7 amps, but only when required. I think I’m going to stick with the dynamo and see how it goes… I would consider a conversion though!
Thank you, I am very pleased with the result. The lights work beautifully now but I had to track every wire which wasn’t easy, as there are so many just for this one thing.
I think the C45 dynamo in the Rapide has a maximum output of 25A so probably not worth getting at 30A alternator instead (if one were available). I’ve not seen any retro alternators with an output of less than 40A and the ones I have seen are not the same size as the Rapide one – which is extra long. Could you fit a C45 (which is available in two sizes)? I’m assuming you don’t have a Rapide and therefore have a lower output dynamo…?
Yes, good points. I’ve fitted a 12V coil and by-passed the ballast resistor but the 6V system makes a lot of sense. Was it generally dropped because of alternators or for some other reason? I could easily fit a 6V coil, would it be worth it?
I was planning to change the dynamo for an alternator but the Lucas ‘Special Equipment’ C45 is a lovely looking dynamo which suits the look of the engine bay (along with the Lucas RB310 voltage regulator). It is a reversible upgrade but personally I love those characteristic items in the engine bay which show quality engineering and technological advances of the day etc such as the Girling Servos, Dynamo, PHH44’s (carbs) and so on. It’s getting the balance of practicality and authenticity right which is part of the challenge.
I’ve put in a very large battery so as long as the dynamo output keeps up then I should be fine…
The setup I’ve gone with is a Revotec thermostat at the bottom outlet of the rad with a 16″ 80A electric fan which pushes through around 2100CFM , this sits in front of the rad. The Revotec thermostat is an adjustable inline type rather than the capillary type (which I think looks crude).
The Rapide radiator is ducted on both sides, though on the engine side the cowl is designed to fit the mechanical fan. I have removed the mechanical fan as I don’t think it will add benefit when needed and may further restrict air flow. In slow traffic on a hot day the mechanical fan is spinning slowly when you really need it to be fast. I’ve only tried the new fan a few times but it seems to work well letting the engine run up to around 93 and then bringing it back down to around 88…ish.
Also a mechanical fan reduces the HP by around 5%.
I’ll let you know how I get on.