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mikeC
Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 1808
Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
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 Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:07 pm Post subject: Indicators - Left or Right? |
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Column-mounted indicator switches are now almost universally located on the left hand side; but it wasn't always so. In the 1960s and 1970s (and before - think Morris Minor) the majority of cars had the indicators on the right.
I recently drove a late 1970s Fiat X1/9, and was surprised to find that the switch was on the left; my 1972 850 coupe had the switch on the right, as did my Triumphs (up to mid-80s Acclaim), various Rootes Group and BMC cars, Saab, Citroen, etc.
So which was the first manufacturer to adopt the left hand side location?
And which do you prefer - left or right! Or would you go for the pre-war standard in the centre of the wheel?
_________________
in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on! |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2116
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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The Japanese.....I think......preferred the indicator to be on the right.
Bedford TM waggins had the indicator on the right...
Most buses I ever drove had their indiflators on the right....along with quite a few that had their gear-changes on the right too... |
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lowdrag
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 1600
Location: Le Mans
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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| I can't remember seeing a Mercedes with any right hand side control lever; everything has always been on the left, at least from the Pagoda onwards. Japanese cars kept it the other side and I remember that my Accord of 1990 had the control on the right. When did the floor dipswitch disappear though? |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7211
Location: Edinburgh
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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Sitting at traffic lights waiting to turn right I keep an eye on the mirror and indicate if a car is approaching me. I indicate until it has come to rest behind me and I then switch off the indicator as it annoys me to have the car in front flashing away when I don't need to know.
Having the indicator stalk on the right means I can select first gear and switch on the indicator simultaneously when the lights change to green. I prefer right hand side.
Oh yes, I much preferred floor dip switches.
Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon
Last edited by peter scott on Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:37 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 2116
Location: East Yorkshire
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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| lowdrag wrote: | | When did the floor dipswitch disappear though? |
I suspect 1970's......although my '67 Mustang has a floor-mounted dipswitch... |
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badhuis
Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 1467
Location: Netherlands
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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| peter scott wrote: | | Having the indicator stalk on the right means I can select first gear and switch on the indicator simultaneously when the lights change to green. |
That might exactly be the reason why it is now universally on the left as most cars are designed to be LHD.
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012
Posts: 1763
Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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| alastairq wrote: | The Japanese.....I think......preferred the indicator to be on the right.
Bedford TM waggins had the indicator on the right...
Most buses I ever drove had their indiflators on the right....along with quite a few that had their gear-changes on the right too... |
I think if the car was originally designed to be RHD that's likely to be the case, hence the Triumph Acclaim - essentially a re-badged Honda Ballade - having the indicator switch on the right. The Japanese, of course, drive on the left too.
I have always preferred the indicator switch on the right, and in the days when I had Minis used to scour scrapyards (remember those?) for sets of column switches with the indicators on the right rather than the left. IMO it's a real advantage to be able to indicate and change gear at the same time, and better still if the dipswitch is also on the right as per the aforementioned Acclaim.
I've been driving a modern regularly for the last 3 years or so now, and of course it has the indicators on the left of the column - and I'm still attempting to indicate with the wipers, not every time out but often enough. It just doesn't feel natural at all. |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4850
Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
| badhuis wrote: | | peter scott wrote: | | Having the indicator stalk on the right means I can select first gear and switch on the indicator simultaneously when the lights change to green. |
That might exactly be the reason why it is now universally on the left as most cars are designed to be LHD. |
I suspect that Japanese made cars still have them on the right.
The changeover for UK built cars was another of those D****D EU regs which weren't suitable for us driving on the left.
As well as Peter's comment I could previously teach hand waiting on H/brake mirror and B/spot checks, signal and H/brake off and move off.
Can't do that now. Probably why manufacturers have had to introduce hill hold etc.
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Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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peppiB
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 686
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 10:51 am Post subject: |
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| lowdrag wrote: | | I can't remember seeing a Mercedes with any right hand side control lever; everything has always been on the left, at least from the Pagoda onwards. Japanese cars kept it the other side and I remember that my Accord of 1990 had the control on the right. When did the floor dipswitch disappear though? |
I have owned 6 Mercedes cars and all had the indicators on the right. They ranged from 1979 to 1992. Anything younger than that just not my thing, so can't comment |
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mikeC
Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 1808
Location: Market Warsop, Nottinghamshire
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 11:12 am Post subject: |
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I am fascinated by the responses here - I thought I was a lonely dinosaur in my preference for a right-hand control!
I was also interested to see a 1965 Farina A40 on eBay, which apparently has a left-hand switch; I could have sworn my (1959) A40 had one on the right:
_________________
in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on! |
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Penman
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4850
Location: Swindon, Wilts.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 11:49 am Post subject: |
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Hi
I think that one has had the switches rotated round the column.
I was teaching on Minis in the 70s and the change over definitely came sometime after the UK accession to the EC.
We changed our cars every year and I would put it as late 70s or early 80s for BLMC I would say the Metro was probably the first designed with a left hand indicator. switch.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.
Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10 |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7211
Location: Edinburgh
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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When I am waiting at traffic lights having already indicated to the car behind I now select first gear with my left hand and operate my stupid left hand indicator switch with my right hand when the lights go green.
Peter 
_________________
https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012
Posts: 1763
Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Penman wrote: | Hi
I think that one has had the switches rotated round the column.
I was teaching on Minis in the 70s and the change over definitely came sometime after the UK accession to the EC.
We changed our cars every year and I would put it as late 70s or early 80s for BLMC I would say the Metro was probably the first designed with a left hand indicator. switch. |
That would fit with my experience. '78 Mini with right hand indicator switch, numerous '82 and '83 Acclaims all with right hand switches but '84 and '87 Minis with left hand switches. Luckily the switch assemblies on the Minis were interchangeable. What year did the Metro come in - 1982? |
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troutrunner
Joined: 03 Dec 2012
Posts: 185
Location: South Lincolnshire
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BigJohn
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Location: Wem, Shropshire
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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I believe indicator location has now come full circle, as they are not fitted on BMW's or Audi's any more 
I'll get my coat.... |
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