The upward pointing S1 license plate light that mounts on the top of the rear bumper no longer has replacement parts available. This makes restoration a little more challenging since the long clear lens typically breaks and the horizontal placement of the light body tends to attract moisture and lots of rust. Our 1972 XJ6 Series 1 fixture looked like this:

Original XJ6 S1 license plate light fixture

We blasted the original mount, filled in the bottom with fiberglass resin to seal all the rust holes, and retrofitted festoon LEDs.


Dual festoon LEDs retrofitted to license plate light

Then by using a CAD/CAM program to carefully mimic the original lens shape, a new 3D printed one looks and works great.


Custom 3D printed lens (aftermarket replacements no longer available)

Full details here: Kriss Motors XJ6 Restomod blog

 

Nice work!

I'm betting you now have VERY bright license lights

Cheers
DD

 

WOW!! 30 elements! EACH!
WOW!
Gendarmes will have No trouble reading your plate.
(';')

 

excellent!

So a 3d printer can actually make clear lenses?

what about color lenses?

 

The lens is not exactly transparent clear, more like a milky translucent look due to the substrate that is an artifact of 3D printing, a sort of honeycomb structure. Yes, you can print translucent colors too. The raw 3D lenses need to be sanded and polished BTW.

 

Thanks. I understand now.

Could the 3D piece be used to cast a resin part ?

 

Not familiar with resin casting, but don't see what 3D printed parts can't be used. You can print in a variety of materials. You certainly could make a plaster cast of the 3D printed lens.

 

WOW !!

I am impressed, indeed. Very nice work.

Add a switch to cut out the lamp lights in cop territory. Tis said that when I was a teen some had switches to cut out all rear lights when needed....

Carl

 

i repaired mine with glue, then made a silicon mould and cast a new number plate light. a variety of reasonably expensive clear resins are available and can be tinted. the detail was spectacular, even the original mould marks from factory, i'd wager if it wasnt for the new plastic, you couldnt tell the difference between new and old.

I even made a second lens with the jaguar badge on the lens to add a custom look.

 

I would be up for one of those Glenn, if you are going to make more. I'm in your neighbourhood.

 

i'll make some in about a fortnight, all going to plan.

 

I'll have one. I'm sure there is a market for them on ebay, It took months to find a new one four years ago and it's fading fast. No new ones around I can find.