Technical 50 Olds Lever

Saw a gorgeous 50 Olds four-door yesterday. It had one of those accessories that allowed you to see the overhead traffic lights. I took a picture of it. When I got home and looked at the photo, there is a lever just to the right of it. What was that for?

 

That’s a combined turn signal and hazard warning switch which seems odd as I’m sure 50 Olds had a stalk on the column there.

 

50 Olds did have turn signals. The original signal switch must have been bad, and that’s how Bubba fixed it,with an after market switch.

 

As others have said, you're looking at two different things. The Guide traffic light viewer mounted on the dash, and the aftermarket turn signal switch mounted on the steering column. The angle of your photo makes them look connected.

 

The car in the picture is a base model 88, so it's possible it wasn't turn signal equipped when new.

 

How can you tell by that picture that it's a base model 88?

 

Two of my '51 Fords have factory turn signals and the third does not. Has an aftermarket one. All three are Custom models, no the cheaper Deluxe. Heaters were optional back then too.

Dave

 

Base model would be a 76, which had a six cylinder flathead engine.

 

^^^^^^^
Actually, there's a base 76 & a DeLuxe 76; a base 88 & a DeLuxe 88 ...

 

My '51 Ford has "integrated" turn signals, but they are listed as as optional upgrade on the original invoice. About $17 extra, if IIRC.