Lucas SL/SF 576 Lamps were the original-specification accessory fog/spot lamps fitted to MGAs. They required a separate, heavy chrome bracket that attached to the bumper-bolt behind the overrider. Since they were lamps designed to be used on all British cars of the fifties, they were styled a little on the "large" side, and although perfectly at home on Rolls-Royce and Jaguar they seem a little too big for the MGA in my opinion... I think these lamps break up the clean lines of the grill and front end.

You can see the attached fog lamp is nearly as large as the headlight, and protrudes out from the front of the car substantially. Maybe I'm the only one that thinks it is too large...it's still a beautiful lamp.

Other Vintage Lamps

The first alternative I tried was the Lucas 4FT/4LR, normally fitted to earlier MGs (TD and TF), Morgans, and Triumphs. They are an inch smaller in diameter and look more "retro" with the built-in chrome hoods. They're also very hard to find since no reproductions are currently made, and they were originally available in far fewer numbers. I managed to get a rare amber 4LR unit and clear 4FT, shown here temporarily mounted:

But after installing them I realized that, although smaller, they still interrupt the clean lines of the front of the car. Their position above the bumper, and relatively modest light output reduced their value to mostly cosmetic.

I looked for something that would mount below the front bumper, like the Lucas Square 8s or Mercedes-Bosch foglamps of the sixties, but period-correct for the 50s-vintage MGA. After searching for nearly a year on eBay I was able to find two matching, British-made WIPAC 675 "Stainless" foglamps. These are semi-rectangular, vintage lamps with a fluted lens and chrome "nipple" in the center to disperse the beam. "675 Stainless" is blown into the glass lens and it refers to the model number and stainless steel housing (unlike the chrome-plated brass Lucas lamps). They are a little more effective since closer to the road when mounted under the bumper, however extra care must be taken when parking up against a curb! I'm quite happy with these lights, they look great and don't interrupt the clean design of the front of the car. The vertical pattern of the glass matches and compliments the design of the grille.