Vans and indicators

[FrankM83]

Does anyone know if 1953 van has indicators at all? I suppost rrafficators were the rule of the day but mine doesn't have the cut for them or the holes for their extension and nothing seems to be filled as if someone closed them

Thanks

[WPR678B]

My early 1954 van had indicators in the B-post and holes cut out for them to come through, although this makes them pretty hard to see by anything behind as the Van body side sticks out nearly as much as they do!
Can't find a picture to hand, but will see what I can dig out!

[TFM150K]

Some had nothing at all - you either stuck your hand out of the window in the approved manner, or quite a number were fitted with after-market "boxed" trafficators fitted where the trafficators were later fitted by the manufacturer. If you are a lot more clever with electrics than I am, you can fit them so that the bulbs flash like an indicator but the lever arm does not waggle up and down at the same time.......
it must be nice to understand electrickery!

[OHP 900]

My 1953 van matches with yours, there is no evidence of trafficators ever being fitted and when it was restored by a past owner he fitted a flasher unit and wired up the side lights to also act as indicators. I believe they were optional extras. Will post a pic to show.

[OHP 900]

[frame][/frame]

[irmscher]

Early vans were optional extras for semaphores or mickey mouse ears indicators and in 1962 regular indicators were fitted

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

This is the sort of thing that was an optional extra when you bought your new van with no indicators

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-LUCAS ... 2ecd4662fd

[Keith]

See attached the optional extra.... Keith[frame][/frame]

[irmscher]

Keith are these the ones operated by an up and down lever

[Keith]

No they are Lucas electric trafficators, operated from a dashboard switch. regards Keith

[irmscher]

They look good

[WPR678B]

Not managed to find the pictures I was looking for, but you should be able to make out the trafficator in the B post of my old 1954 van (which I no longer own btw). If I find a clearer picture I will be sure to post it here! [frame][/frame]

[1098]

Not managed to find the pictures I was looking for, but you should be able to make out the trafficator in the B post of my old 1954 van (which I no longer own btw). If I find a clearer picture I will be sure to post it here! [frame][/frame]

Nice van ![frame][/frame] Note the bracket, to push the semaphore out a bit more from the B post,so traffic behind can see it. Not that anyone takes any notice, the signal is always supplemented by an arm signal. The left turn, arm signal is often greeted with strange looks from the younger brigade,as they pass me. You have to make sure the right semaphore is down before you get out,other wise you normally snap it off,by accident. For some reason, this former mail van did not have the semaphores removed,and roof mounted flashing indicators fitted. Most did.

[irmscher]

I Have a pair of nos covers for when people took the semaphores off and tidies things up

[IaininTenbury]

I've got a pair of NOS aftermarket flashers with a chrome plinth, shaped to fit over the hole where the trafficators were. Never seen any fitted on a vehicle, I suppose most replace them with the correct trafficators during restoration. I always fancied using these on my Series 2 van just to be different - a representation of how it could have been fitted out during its life rather than when new...

[daviddeb2]

Hi has anyone tried to fit a indicator switch cluster, as fitted to later vehicles to include INDICATORS HIGH BEAMS,LIGHTS ECT. Have seen a switch unit off a merc but not sure if it will work. Have all sorts of wiring and plugs to adapt so that's not a problem. Just has to be small enough and fit around steering column. Any ideas??

[TFM150K]

[quote="IaininTenbury"]I've got a pair of NOS aftermarket flashers with a chrome plinth, shaped to fit over the hole where the trafficators were.

2 chrome plinths, more polishing, you'll be going in for conkers next! And maybe even chrome wheel centres on the GPO trailer!!

[IaininTenbury]

Ok, I have a weakness for contemporaneous extras and accesories otherwise known as 'period tat'. The Tudor brand rubber overiders being a particular favourite as they do stop me scratching the painted bumper when trying to see how many cars I can park in a small space...
If I had 4 of the chrome hubcap spinner thingys,(surely the most pointless Morris Minor accesory) they'd probably be on the van or convertible but with only three its limited to trailer useage.[frame][/frame]
As for conkers, I once showed Gaffa van at the Manchester Branch Rally with blackened and singed paint on the bonnet and wing after a small engine bay fire (long story) so the chances of one of my own vehicles being up to that standard is slim. Too busy doing others etc....

[qwerty165]

I once showed Gaffa van at the Manchester Branch Rally with blackened and singed paint on the bonnet and wing after a small engine bay fire

Did you win the prize for the best engine bay fire?

[IaininTenbury]

Not sure if many noticed as it was before I painted it anyway, so the overall colour scheme was patchy primer and dark blue. The slight black tinge round the front nearside didn't stand out too much...
Cause of the fire, was a sticking petrol pump. I pulled the hose off the carb to see what was coming out, hit the pump a few times and it suddenly started pumping. I couldn't get the pipe back on the carb as the end was a bit frayed and petrol was squirting everywhere, so I unscrewed the wire off the petrol pump to stop it and of course it made a spark.... Funny how you learn lessons like that. I forgot about the fire extinguisher next to the drivers seat and put it out with a blanket out of the back...