Sceptre III parts wanted

[Wilko]

Hello,

I'm new to Rootes ownership, having just acquired a late series III Humber Sceptre. I'm a regular over at the AROnline.co.uk forum, but I guess I'll be frequenting this one a bit more often now!

The car I've bought is generally nice but needs a respray and a few bits and pieces doing.

I was wondering if anyone on here could help me in sourcing a couple of parts I need. Done a few internet searches but not had much luck so far:

* A dashboard headlamp switch (the existing one disintegrated the first time I tried to use it, leaving me with an "interesting" drive home in the dark
* An original steering wheel (it's currently fitted with a rather naff after-market one).

Also, if anyone can recommend a good place for a respray in the original colour (preferably in Herts/north London area), that would be great. The previous owner got a quote for £800 but it's quite a long way from me and neither of us are familiar with the place's work.

Thanks!

[kalvo]

Hi Wilko, welcome to the world of Sceptre III ownership. ( I love mine! )

The steering wheel will be as rare as hens teeth but the switch, look at this....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hillman-Hunte ... 2c5e4d3691

[thowman]

I can recommend the Classic and Custom Workshop in Penn Street, which is between Amersham and High Wycombe.

01494 716416 and ask for Rob, the owner. Good quality and reasonable prices - they advertise in Practical classics as well.

[Wilko]

Thanks chaps - much appreciated.
However, that's not the right type of switch for mine - I seem to have quite an unusual, presumably run-out model, set-up, with a single switch for the side and dipped lights and then another separate switch underneath it for the dashboard lamps. I'm sensing that finding a replacement is not going to be easy!

[sceptictank]

Can you post a pic of the switch you have?

[kalvo]

Can you post a pic of the switch you have?

yeh, I'd be interested to see that. sounds highly irregular and non standard to me !!

[Wilko]

I'll get a close-up pic of the switch when I can - but in the meantime, here's a pic of the interior. Sorry about the offensive steering wheel! You can see the hole just above the choke, where the switch was.

I've since spoken to another Sceptre owner who tells me he thinks this is a very late run-out model, just before the Humber marque was dropped, hence the slightly different dashboard arrangement.

[Wilko]

EDIT: deleted duplicate post

[kalvo]

Here's mine for comparison. My Sceptre is a '73. ( the horrible radio cassette has been replaced with a period radiomobile since and has been re-carpeted )

[turbinecol]

Actually you do see quite a lot like that (presumably because lots of the cars that survived are late ones). The switches are illuminated Lucas ones. Keep your eyes open on the auction site.