Electrical: When did Studebaker begin offering directional signals as factory (and/or dealer) equipment?

[brngarage]

An interesting question came up at our chapter meeting last Thursday night. Nobody could say for certain when Studebaker began offering directional signals as a factory accessory (or dealer installed). As a related question, I wonder when they became standard equipment, Thanks.

[Tom Bredehoft]

My '50 Land Cruiser had 'em, it was a Demonstrator, so I don't know if they were an option or not.

[PackardV8]

"Dealer-installed" is quite a different answer from "factory optional" or even "Studebaker authorized." Most dealers would install anything a buyer would pay for.

My '55 E12 had dealer-installed small chrome bullet Guide lights as front turn signals instead of the much larger, more commercial/industrial units found on most pickups, because the buyer's wife said the factory optional turn signal lights were "hideous."

When I re-did the truck this time, I decided even the tasteful Guides on top of the fenders were a hiccup in the Bourke lines and I rewired the parking lights to function as the turn signals.

jack vines

P.S. the '55 below has the factory turn signals. your opinions and results may vary.

[greyben]

They show up in the parts books starting for 1942 models.

[StudeRich]

Keep in mind that starting in AT LEAST 1947 that I am familiar with, there were built in "Arrows" (Indicators) with Green Lenses in the Dash for the optional Accessory Kits to utilize. Most "other makes" did not have those until they were installed in all their Cars as Standard Equipment.

Studebaker started putting them on all models in 1955 or '56.

[studegary]

My 1940 President Owner's Manual has most of a page demonstrating hand signals - with pictures and "Always let the other man know by means of arm signals what you intend to do." among the written portion.

As far as requirement for directional signals - that varied by state. In New York, all 1953 model, and newer, cars were required to have directional signals.

[DWBookout]

My 1950 Champion was set up for a field-installeld turn signal kit and I found a "factory type" at a the Nashville SDC Meet some years ago. The Chassis Manual for this model illustrates a factory turn signal, probably an accessory as far back as 1947.

An interesting question came up at our chapter meeting last Thursday night. Nobody could say for certain when Studebaker began offering directional signals as a factory accessory (or dealer installed). As a related question, I wonder when they became standard equipment, Thanks.

[Greenstude]

On our 1947 Studebaker Champion, the glass lens for the outer half of each tail light has "Direction" cast into the glass. At the front of the car, the original chrome horizontal bars above the grille, used on a car without signals, are replaced by a bar which, at its outer end, is the body of the direction signal. There is a cut-out in the sheet metal behind this bar to make room for where the back of the bar curves to make room for the bulb socket. When the wiring harness on the car was replaced it was found that the original harness had the wires required for signals, even though the car was not equipped with them until after I bought it in 1973.

I believe direction signals became standard equipment on most North American cars about 1955.

My father owned a top-of-the-line 1952 Dodge Mayfair 2-door hardtop (Canadian version of a Plymouth Belvedere) which originally was the dealer's private car. The car came with every available accessory except direction signals --- a strange thing to omit given all the other options the dealer had put on it.

[jnfweber]

An interesting question came up at our chapter meeting last Thursday night. Nobody could say for certain when Studebaker began offering directional signals as a factory accessory (or dealer installed). As a related question, I wonder when they became standard equipment, Thanks.

Here is the photo of my 1948 Champion Regal Deluxe Coupe with factory installed directional signals.

[Skip Lackie]

I believe direction signals became standard equipment on most North American cars about 1955.

I agree, though I seem to recall it was 1956. I don't have my 53-57 chassis book handly, but a quick check of section 6 should indicate when signals stopped being offered as an accessory kit.

In the US, directional signals became mandatory on passenger cars to comply with a Federal regulation. It was more complicated for trucks, as each state (and maybe province) had its own regs. A number of states required the separate, stand-alone lamps mounted on the top of the front fenders and at the rear, at least on larger trucks. Others permitted the use of parking/tail lamps. As a result, Stude continued to offer a variety of accessory directional signal kits for trucks all the way to the end.

[Deaf Mute]

In my 1953 Commander owners manual, on page 36 where it lists light bulbs, it is listed
PARKING Mazda 63
(with Directional Signals) Mazda 1158
lower it states: Directional Signal Front Mazda 1158
Rear 1154
Tell-Tale 51
On my build sheet it shows AC 2351 DIR SIGN
That leads me to also believe they were optional in 1953... mine came off the line on May 7, 1953.

[studegary]

In my 1953 Commander owners manual, on page 36 where it lists light bulbs, it is listed
PARKING Mazda 63
(with Directional Signals) Mazda 1158
lower it states: Directional Signal Front Mazda 1158
Rear 1154
Tell-Tale 51
On my build sheet it shows AC 2351 DIR SIGN
That leads me to also believe they were optional in 1953... mine came off the line on May 7, 1953.

Yes, they were an option, but if the car was delivered new in some states, like New York, they were a mandatory option.

[Commander Eddie]

Keep in mind that starting in AT LEAST 1947 that I am familiar with, there were built in "Arrows" (Indicators) with Green Lenses in the Dash for the optional Accessory Kits to utilize. Most "other makes" did not have those until they were installed in all their Cars as Standard Equipment.

Studebaker started putting them on all models in 1955 or '56.

My '50 Commander had these in the speedometer and when I had the wiring redone the guy who did the work wired my after market turn signals through it so it works now. I was very surprised and pleased when I saw them the first time.

[brngarage]

I just pulled the steering wheel on my '53 Commander and verified (via the pictures in the parts manual) that I have the field (dealer?) installed directional signal switch. Since the parts manual shows both field and factory switches, it is obvious that both were available in 1953. Thanks again everyone for the continuing updates.

[alex54]

I believe direction signals became standard equipment on most North American cars about 1955.

Could be. My 54 came with and still has none. But I will add them.