MG Car Repair: MG TF 1954 Instrument panel, mg car club, chassis number

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
My Father in Law has just bought a 1954 TF (Australian delivery) and we don't know what the "A" and "P" knobs on the instrument panel are for.  Top right and top left controls respectively.
Could you advise please.
Thanks
Stuart

ANSWER: Hi Stuart.    

Before I answer this question, may I make a small request.  Please could you tell me the chassis number of this TF for my records.  I am the TF Registrar of the MG Car Club in the UK.  

I think your father-in-law needs a copy of the TF Owners Handbook.  You can order a copy by going to www.tregister.org

The P stands for Panel lights.  It has 3 positions:  
Instrument illumination OFF, Instrument illumination ON, Map lights ON as well.  It should be wired so that it only operates when the sidelights are on.

The A stands for Auxilliary.  This is a spare switch that is usually wired into a pair of lamps (one fog and one spot).  If you don't have any foglights, you could wire the driver's map light into this switch, so that the passenger can use the other maplight without ruining the driver's night vision.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Barrie

Engine number. 36184. Chassis No. TF6098. it is a 1250cc

Regards,

Stuart

Answer
Thank you, Stuart  The actual VIN number of this TF appears to be HDH26/6098, which left Abingdon on 18th June 1954.  The HDH2 prefix indicates a RHD export car, but with a body painted in primer.  This was often done with CKD kits, which were Completely Knocked Down and crated for transport.  They would then be painted and assembled in Australia.