Joseph Lucas Electrical

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Dr. Ian Levy
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2002 1:16 pm
Location: United Kingdom
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Joseph Lucas Electrical

Post by Dr. Ian Levy »

Hello Tom
I notice from your postings that you are no fan of Lucas Electrics but in the UK most things auto electrical even on many foreign cars) were Lucas.
My question is why did Ferrari choose them to supply key parts e.g the windscreen wiper motor on my 365 GTC4?
Were Lucas the only ones in the market or were they top of the tree 40 years ago?
Where were Bosch, Magnetti Marelli & others?
Regards
Ian Levy
PS If I can help with any Lucas parts please let me know!!
tyang

Post by tyang »

Hi Ian,

Thanks to yours, and Simon's offer to help from the other side of the pond. We'll see if I need it!

As Pete said on another string, one is always amazed how bad Lucas is when you compare them with other manufacturers! I don't want to bash Lucas here(they get enough everyerwhere else), but their systems are usually repairable, and reliable if you take care of them. They just seem so much worse because other systems don't need nearly as much attention!

I think Ferrari (and others) probably used Lucas because they were the cheapest subcontractor to deal with. When you look at the way these cars were engineered, you can see Enzo Ferrari's priorities. His engines and gear boxes were designed and built in-house because he was concerned more with making his cars fast and durable. Sub systems like windshield wiper motors, and cooling fans (who needs cooling fans if you're driving at a high rate of speed?), were not a major concern, so assigning a design and engeneering team to work on that probably wasn't in the budget, or priority.

Tom
horner
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Post by horner »

Tom, if the wiper motor needs replacing and you want Lucas try Moss Motors and Victoria British or another British car parts company for a matching part. If it's standard Lucas part they may have it. I use them for the Midget. Jack Horner
tyang

Post by tyang »

Hi Jack,

I already checked to see if it was a common Lucas part, but it's not. I even peeked at my Alpine's wiper motor, and although the case the is same, the wiring is different.

Tom
enio45
Posts: 826
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 6:56 pm
Location: Gilbert, AZ

Fans

Post by enio45 »

For those of you who want to keep your original Lucas fans and wiper motors stock, these guys in the UK do a great job for total restoration of the motors. I,ll be sending mine to them shortly, but thru my checking, all recommendations have been very high.

http://www.jlspares.co.uk/
Ed Montini
330 GT 2+2 Series II - 8289
58 Ellena - 0855GT - orig drivetrain
87 El Camino SS
Sleeper
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Joined: Sat Dec 21, 2002 10:33 pm

Post by Sleeper »

Now heres the real question. My 250GT has lucas dirtributors. These are rare and used on only a few Ferraris that I know of, some D type Jags and some racing Aston Martins. Are parts ( rotor, points and cap ) available for these units?
enio45
Posts: 826
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 6:56 pm
Location: Gilbert, AZ

Lucas

Post by enio45 »

Sleeper

For sure i would email these folks at J&L Spares and inquire......being they are in the UK and specialise in Jag components.....they at least should be able to direct you to the right place.......good luck and let us know what u find.
Ed Montini
330 GT 2+2 Series II - 8289
58 Ellena - 0855GT - orig drivetrain
87 El Camino SS
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David Booth
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Location: Vista, California
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Post by David Booth »

Sleeper: without digging out my reference material, what's the story on your 250 with Lucas distributors? From memory, maybe some of the Series I cabriolets had this setup, and perhaps some of the Europas or Boanos? Please share.
1960 SII PF cabriolet #2105GT
1963 250GTE #4799GT with 330 America engine #5033GT

"...Luigi follow only the Ferraris.."
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