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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Tar Topper Optima Battery Cover

Wanted to order a Tar Topper cover for my Optima battery directly from Tar Topper, went to their ad to order and believe it or not, they don't have a web site where you can order on line. You have to download and print out the order form, write a check and send it to them by snail mail! LOL!! Maybe that makes the fake old time battery cover more authentic? Hard to believe that is happening in this century. Oh well, somebody sells them. Need a fake Lucas decal also. The looks of the Optima battery, just doesn't cut it! PJ
Paul S Jennings

BTW, you can actually buy a 'period correct' battery for your MG, with tar-like top and Lucas livery for about $280.

http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/batteries/british/G27L.html


kmclemore

Yes I know, but to install it you have to remove the bonnet and if there's any way around it, the bonnet is staying put, I will not chance putting a scratch on this car! Optima Gp34 solves that problem as it slides right in the box. If the car was concurs, I'd put a regular old style battery in it, but it isn't. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Paul -

I had a vinyl sign shop cut a Lucas "King of the Road" decal for my Group 27 battery. I created the decal based on Lucas Battery ads from the mid-50's. The original logo was formed into the black battery case and was probably not colored. I made mine yellow. The logo in one of the ads was yellow, probably done by the advertising dept to make it show up in the ad.

If the sides of the Tar Topper are textured, then I believe that the texture will telegraph through any vinyl decal.

Send a PM if you want one.

Lonnie
TF 7211

Yes, I need six period-correct battery caps ...
(two pics)

LM Cook

Dave S is the Tar Topper expert,,, I'm sure he will chime in,,,

Did you do a search for Tar Topper ??? There's a few threads on it,,,

SPW
Steve Wincze

My Lucas decal (part 2)

The battery bar covered part of the LUCAS logo in an original 1950's MG installation, too.

Lonnie
TF7211

(Brown & Gammons diagram)

LM Cook

My Lucas decal (part 3)

1954 Lucas battery ad ...

Lonnie
TF7211

LM Cook

go to;


http://www2.mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/or17?runprog=mgbbs&access=&mode=archiveth&subject=8&subjectar=8&thread=2013022100050921039
Steve Wincze

Lucas... "Britain's best battery. 2 years guaranteed life".

Wow.

How soon we forget just how far we've come on this stuff.

...
MAndrus

Lonnie, Please email me, at your convenience, at pgc161 fairpoint.net about the decal. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Paul: On the TF you only have to loosen the front two hood support screws and remove the two rear ones. You can then have another person tilt up the hood from the back while you slide your battery in. For a TD this would not work without taking the side panels off first.

Lonnie: I suspect you are right about the color. I would imagine it was just embossed into the case and not colored at all in real life.
Christopher Couper

You can buy the tar topper here: http://www.tartopper.com/order.html
I sell a white vinyl transfer "Lucas" decal for $5.00 postage included.
This is what the battery can look like if the caps are modified and my decal is applied
David
dasander@aol.com

D. Sander

David, I saw that before, but could not believe in this time, they don't have a way of ordering on the net! You have to download their order form, fill it out and send them a check or money order with the order form by snail mail! That's unheard of today. PJ
Paul S Jennings

I guess I don't understand the reluctance to order it buy Snail mail,, they ship within 24 hours, and it's sent to you by Priority Mail,, so it porbably will be at your door by mid week,,,Did you call the land line number to get more info ??


SPW
Steve Wincze

No not yet Steve, to involved with my windshield frame and door locks, I will though. Trying to do 6 things at once is frustrating. Been trying to get it ready for early Summer, but I finally realized that's not going to happen. So I think I'll back off of it for a while. Frustration is starting to overtake common sense. PJ
Paul S Jennings

OK,,, take care of your priorities,, but when you do decide to get back to the Car Topper subject,, keep in mind that they also take orders over the phone where you talk to a real person, so you don't have to send by snail mail,,,

SPW
Steve Wincze

I've bought the tar topper on line here, for about $30.

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/optima-tar-topper-battery-cover.html
Amazon has it available too:

http://www.amazon.com/1953-1967-Corvette-Optima-Battery-Topper/dp/B00NB5DU3K#

If you have prime, the is no shipping.
-David
D. Sander

This thread was discussed between 04/03/2015 and 05/03/2015

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