was thinking of wiring my taillights (snowflakes) so that the brake or tail light flashes as the indicator. Just wondering if anyone has done it, or knows if it can be done without upsetting the whole show. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Josh.

Indicators started in the USA in the 40s
as You described....
The stop lamp flashes...
Brakes on... one stop lamp stays on
other one flashes...
How it was done, I'm not sure...
I think the 1957-58 Holden may have had these.
they added the amber bit in 1959
I think... long time ago...

I think the 57> Beetle in the USA had these blinkers too
they had the round front blinkers on the front guards..
but nothing at the back except the oval red tail lamps...

Lee

you would need to rewire the indicator system. Have 2 relays to control the brake/indicator function (one for left one for right). When the indicator is off the NC contacts on the relay power the brake light, when the indicator is operated the relay switches the NO contacts on and grounds out the flasher unit through the brake lamp and you get a flashing brake lamp. had to do the same set up to make my semaphores flash.

Only legal in Aus on pre-61 cars (I think) as an original installation: ie: You can't legally do it to an Aussie car. But try sourcing a US-spec 1950s VW wiring diagram...

US cars may have had extra contacts on their blinker switches

Like type 3s that have the small red/clear light on front guards - parking lamps
they only worked with the ignition off and then the blinker arm turned them on

Some countries in Europe require cars parked to have a parking lamp/s on at night.

Many Mercedes and BMWs can switch the left or right parking lamps on individually
I saw a late model Mercedes a few days ago with the right side parking lamps on..

Lee

i'll try and get a 356 wiring diagram josh

My understanding is that red lights may not flash. Only amber for indicators.

Strictly speaking, flashing red lights on bicycles is illegal, but because they are so visible and make for greater safety, the police either have a rule for bicycles only or they ignore them.

Also 1960s Mercedes used to have a system that caused the brake lights to flash a few times and then go continuously on, every time that the brakes were applied.

Maybe that would be a cool option that is possibly not "agin the rules" and it would make for greater safety.

Sometimes I feel a need to flash my brake lights if I think that the car behind is approaching me too fast if I am unexpectedly slowing or stationary.

Thanks everyone, will have to look into it some more. Will need a wiring diagram for sure. Mark that would be great if you could find one.

Thanks heaps for that Greg. Appreciate the effort involved. I had a feeling that they just hooked up to the brake bulbs, but was not sure. Still not 100% but now there's only one way to know for sure. Will sus it out this weekend. Cheers guys.

[ Edited on 3-8-2006 by Hertz ]

I ran a '48 Morgan 4-seater in the 70's & it had been wired so the stop lights flashed as indicators. If u stood on the brakes with an idicator on, the stop light relating to the turning direction flashed. U need diodes in the circuit so the current doesn't bleed to the other stop light. I'm fairly sure the FE holdens did likewise. Search for the FE wiring diagram & u may find what u need. Early MGA"s with the single Morris Minor type taillight do the the same- but they have a flasher can the size & complexity of a voltage regulator- more of Joseph Lucas's great work (not!)

Yeah I was thinking about using diodes actually, so that only one side would flash at a time. Cool.