You can use the Guide 682C headlights as I did on mine. The headlight has the turn signal mounted on top of the housing. You can go the original route and restore originals or get really nice repros from OTB that have a clear lens and an amber bulb. They come in chrome, stainless or painted. There are some other repros out there like the ones Speedway sells, that have a different style turn signal lens that is amber, bigger and looks cheesy. Bill
Some great suggestions given so far. I wanted to run cowl lights just because of a "hot" know-it all writing for Rod and Custom when writing an article about 32,33,& 34, hi-boys said, "Cowl lights do not go or belong on hi-boys". So that is where my directionals are using Bob Drake cowl lights. Hey squirrel, I have been in Mesa/Apache Junction during the winters the last 10 years. Everyone knows that directionals are optional for Az. drivers, because only about 5% of the cars with Az. plates use them. I've made the decision that this is to be my last post for a while, just to much time taken up here. Will tune in now and then just to see the great info and cars but for now I just have to get back on my 34. Not happy with the red frame, need a rolled rear pan, need it to be shiny, need to work more on the interior, maybe add lakesters and exhaust and countless other little things. Although it is what it is, I was forced into completing it and taking short cuts and it did not turn out the way I envisioned. So for the foreseeable future..........................................................
As far as I know, in Arizona, turn signals are required on cars that came with them new. That means anything built in the last 60 years, mostly. There are no annual state inspections for any safety equipment on non-commercial vehicles in Arizona. Around here, most folks use their signals. Not so much in the big cities.
Had a pair of small motorcycle turn lights bought out of a Waco Tx cycle shops bottom shelf take off box on my T bucket in the mid 70's. Outside of the Amber lenses they didn't show up too much when you were looking at the car from 20 ft away but they sure showed up when they were working. Paid less than ten bucks for the pair then and they were new take offs that were replaced by aftermarket lights on the bike.
I found some small black bullet shaped motorcycle turn signals on E-Bay that had a black lens so they almost disappeared when mounted on the frame horns of my deuce 5 window. They are metal and I paid 16.00 shipped for the pair.
I’m only 50, and familiar with hand signals. And I know that using them is going to get me rear-ended. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Hand signals aren't an option, just as well forget that avenue. Don't waste any more space with those comments. Car has to go thru a state inspection to get a ***le. In Iowa it will be a "Specially Constructed Vehicle" and will have to have lights, turn signals, wipers, lap belt (minimum), exhaust.......all the stuff a car is supposed to have. We don't have annual inspections, once it p***es it's good. I have thought of putting something ugly but functional on then removing it after the inspection. In this day and age I'm torn on how much a front turn signal even helps. I kind of think not using one gives me the element of surprise over the texting mouth breathers. If I use a front signal it gives them a "heads up" to what my next move is, maybe it's better to keep them guessing. It might sound strange but I consider rear mandatory but front optional at this point. I have to have them on the front to p*** inspection but not to drive once that inspection is p***ed. I want to put on something that won't look like a wart or something just stuck on out of the JC Whitney catalog. Been giving this a lot of thought on how to do it and make it look correct. aesthetics are very important to me, it has to look right if it stays. Thanks for all the pics and ideas. SPark
i think 1953 model year is when turn lights were factory required and in model year 1963 amber front turn lites became the standard. if your car is registered as being 1952 or earlier you shouldn't be required to have them. but better to have them regardless of the year. like squirrel said...
They were optional for several years after 1953, even the very early 60s Chevy pickups did not have them as standard equipment. My 59 truck had add on turn signals, and the "delete" cup screwed to the bottom of the steering wheel, when I got it.
For IA specially constructed vehicle, at least for the inspection, put something on that is used and looks like you got it free. The more new parts you have to declare, the more your registration fees will be. Gary
I always thought a pair of cowl lights mounted off the frame rails down by the shock mount would look good. Somewhat mimics your headlight mounting, looks old school and looks non-street roddy. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Fairly bright, dirt cheap and the flat black grille makes 'em barely noticeable! Or, paint 'em whatever color you like. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
These headlights are from united pacific. Fit my 35 ford buckets perfect and have a signal light built in small along the bottom of the light. I didn’t want any other lights cluttering the front so opted for this. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I’m running the same ones in my 37 Chevy. Minor modifications to the lamp and the trim ring required, but they fit and the turn signals are pretty unobtrusive if you don’t light the running light on them. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
If it was mine I would find anything to put on it to get inspected and then find something better later,it does seem strange that they want stuff on the car that was not even manditory when it was originally made or do people now think they always had that stuff.
It sounds like this is a new build, with new parts, and he needs to p*** new car inspection to initially ***le it. Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
You got it. Year the car represents doesn't have a thing to do with it. The state requires turn signals (plus lap belts and a few other small things that didn't generally exist in 1932) to get a ***le for a newly constructed vehicle using MSO and receipts for parts. Have to jump thru a few hoops, just looking for ideas on what others have used. No use re-inventing the wheel (or turn signal in this case) when I may be able to steal somebodies idea. SPark
Over here we've got the Magic Red ****on Which Makes Everything All Right. People drive long distances with their hazard flashers on to communicate that they really have no idea what they intend to do next, but the possibilities include taking off vertically.
I was on OTB's site today looking for something entirely different but found this. They mount from inside your head light and they sell the lens and gasket too. They can be adapted to several different lights they claim. Kinda look like a 682C when you are done. They also sell them primered.
I like the fog or driving lights like were used on this truck (picture borrowed from "For Sale" section of the Early Ford V8 Club). Of course in the back just run two tail/brake lights. Of course for this look to work depends on the rest of the vehicle. Charlie Stephens
Y'know, I'd want my turn signals to be both obvious as to what they are and visible, given the general stupidity of some of the driving public. I overheard a conversation at a show about a guy that had his turns in or on the headlights (that part wasn't clear) and got clobbered anyway. The other driver expressed 'confusion' at the lights, thinking 'there was something wrong with his headlight, it didn't look like a turn signal'. Running without turns presents pretty much the same hazard...
These are united pacific. Signal built into headlight. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I like the old fender marker lights from the 1930s and 1940s for turn signals and have a great look and jeweled gl*** lens
The Jalopy Journal
