Bus Indicators

The original Splitscreen Bus was not installed with front facing flashing indicators. Instead a Semaphore was located on the B-Post (Behind the Front Cab Doors) on each side of the bus. These semaphores would raise when activated with a small light bulb that did not flash. Pre 1953 models were fitted wityh a ‘Ribbed’ Semaphore which had a flatter top and a ridge in the orange plastic at the bottom of the Semaphore. From late 1953 a new ‘smooth’ semaphore was installed which was more yellow in colour and did not include any ridge on it. The top metal part of the semaphore also changed slightly in design which was more sweeping in design.

Semaphores were installed in all Splitscreen Buses until March 1955 when the bullet front indicator was introduced. This new flashing front indicator however was only available to the US market and was not available to the European market until June 1960.

The US Spec ‘Bullet’ indicator that was installed on all US buses from March 1955 included a clear lense. The European version which was released in June 1960 had a slightly longer metal base than the earlier US Spec version and included an Amber (Orange) lens.

In August 1961 the bus indicators design changed again for the US market. The ‘Fish Eye’ front indicator was launched which was a much larger design over it predecessor the ‘Bullet’. Just like the ‘Bullet’ front indicator the US Spec ‘Fish Eye’ was clear. It wasn’t until August 1963 that the ‘Fish Eye’ front indicators would be installed and yet again these European lenses would be Amber (Orange) in style. The ‘Fish Eye’ front indicator would be the final indicator design for the Splitscreen Bus.

The first Baywindow Bus in August 1967 would have a new indicator design for the front of the Bus. These ‘Early Bay’ Buses had these indicators installed below the headlamps until August 1972. US Spec Buses were fitted with Clear front indicator lenses and European Buses were installed with Amber (Orange) front indicator lenes.

In August 1972 the front indicators were moved to a new higher position above the headlights on each end of the fresh air vent on the front panel. The design was improved making them squarer and larger. This was to improve there visability to oncoming traffic. Again US Spec front indicator lense were clear and European front indicator lenses were Amber (Orange).