Cars with semaphore turn-signal indicators have a great deal of charm and are of historical importance. However, flashing orange indicators at each corner of cars were developed for a reason, as they do a far better and safer job of signalling that the car is about to change direction.

Until recently, many beautiful period kitcars, classic and vintage vehicles used to routinely have extra orange lights bolted onto their elegant bodywork and the semaphore signalling arms were disconnected. Now, thankfully, we tend to be a little more sensitive to the need to keep these machines looking as they were intended to look and we have the means and technology to do this without compromising road safety.

Over the last five years Better Car Lighting has been working to develop solutions using the latest and most efficient LED technology to not only make these cars safer to use in modern traffic but also to make it easy for the average owner to install this equipment in such a way as to make it virtually invisible but highly effective.

At the front, they can supply specially-designed powerful LED bulbs, which shine brightly warm white when on the sidelight setting, but flash orange when indicators are engaged.

They also supply twin-contact bulb sockets to upgrade from single-contact to make use of them and electronic flasher relays, the adaptors to allow them to work with the original indicator controller and loud sounders to create a noise and traditional flasher ‘tick-tock’ sounds.

For the semaphore arms, Better Car Lighting has orange LED festoon bulbs, which are a direct replacement for the original but have flashing LEDs front and rear to make the semaphores highly visible. These require no alterations to the car’s wiring and can be used as a ‘standalone’ upgrade.

At the rear, depending on which original lights are fitted, they supply highly efficient and very bright LED light units, which may or may not be bulbs, to upgrade the tail and brake lights. It is usual for their conversions to more than double the brightness while hugely reducing the amount of electrical energy consumed.

More importantly, by using carefully developed high power amber LED light panels placed inside the original red lens, we can create a clearly visible and clearly orange flashing rear indicator with nothing showing from outside to spoil the original appearance.

Prices start from £220.97 inc VAT but may vary depending on specification. More information from www.bettercarlighting.co.uk ENDS.