Not too far from me is a bar/social club that caters to the turn indicator enthusiast community (often known as blinkies), called Winking Amber’s. It’s one of the older indicator bars around, and they generally have pretty good relations with the greater Taillight enthusiast community. Every year, they hold a little festival celebrating the first-generation Honda Civic and the surprising number of front turn signal types these cars had. They jokingly call it Happy Honda Days in Summer, a play on the well-known wintertime religious holiday followed by the Children of Soichiro.
The celebration is scheduled for this coming weekend, so before it happens, let’s look at what the blinkies are going on about, and see just how many variations of front turn signal these early Civics – the first generation lasted from 1972 to 1979 – had. It’s genuinely shocking or inspiring, I suppose depending on how you feel about turn indicator variations, ethically.
Let’s start with what I think are the earliest version of these turn signals, these simple rectangular units that are integrated into these all-chrome bumpers:
In America, we got the Civic in 1973, and we had different bumpers with black tape striping and rubber bumper guards, with some genuinely odd turn indicators:
These indicators were large units set atop the bumper and in front of the grille, and appear to be emulating the look of foglamps. It’s kind of an odd and interesting choice, and the indicators are quite prominent in this particular variation.
There’s another atop-the-bumper variation, this time with smaller indicator units, featuring a combination of amber indicators and clear/white sidelights. The indicator units themselves appear to be the same shape as these below, which are mounted under the bumper:
This one has all-amber lenses, though I think I’ve seen ones with the clear sidelights as well. I’m not 100% sure these are the same size and shape as the above-bumper ones, but they seem pretty damn close.
There’s another under-bumper version used on US-spec cars up until 1979, as you can see above. The indicator lenses are inset into little cutouts in the lower part of the bumper and are a rounded-corner rectangular shape, differing from the other under-bumper design. Again, there may be a non-US-spec version with white sidelights, but I haven’t found an image of such indicators yet.
Finally, we have what I think is one more variant:
This design seems to use the same shaped lenses as the one above (though shown here with amber indicator/white sidelight lenses) but in this case the indicators are set into the bumper itself.
So that’s at least six different types of front turn signals! I have no idea why Honda never seemed satisfied with the design of these turn signals, or perhaps they loved the process of turn signal design so very much they couldn’t just leave it alone! And I have to respect that.
Anyway, I can’t wait to get liquored up and really celebrate the crap out of these indicators over at Winking Amber’s. It’s gonna be lit.Â
The big fog light style ones may have been a quick way to meet US,regulations on height and size. US spec Land Rovers from the early 70s have significantly larger turn signal lenses and the ones Rovers North imported in the 80s,use the larger military style lights for the same reason.
Currently for sale in France. Probably a post-sale modification, but I don’t see why.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/voitures/2973842180
Slush box. No Dice.
I think the indicators that mimic fog lights are a bit of cheeky fun. Around the mid-70s there was a trend, both OEM and aftermarket, of mounting Bosch or Hella or Cibie (or cheap knockoff) auxiliary lights either above or below (or both) the front bumper. I think these signal lights are a gentle mockery of that trend, and I approve.
They also seemed to enjoy different style grilles
I’m surprised you were able to get up early enough to post this after a late night of drinking too much blinker fluid.
I like the big ones that look like fog lights.
In the 80s, add on fog lights was really a big thing.
Extra, add on lights, seem to be making a comeback in the worst way
Is this the first angry face car? Fairly sure not, a lot of early American metal had disconcerting expressions, but maybe first from Japan. That strait-on top shot with the chrome trim that narrows top and bottom looks pissed. The later blue one, just annoyed.
Looks more “mildly concerned” or “worried”.
https://symbols.getvecta.com/stencil_182/4_worried-face.b26915f5a8.svg
Aren’t we all?
Amen.
It’s going to be lit part of the time. Could make for some awesome drinking games. Blink you drink or off you quaff, whichever suits best. Say hey to Amber for me.
Instead of poker machines and love testers, they’ve got signal stalks and hazard buttons you can play with at the bar.
Torch spends an awful lot of time in illumination based bars and taverns. Don’t they have less-seedier places to hang out? Hazard Days at the Park? Brake Light Beach Days? Or maybe a Turn Signal Takeover of an unsuspecting PTA meeting?
It’s also surprisingly violent at these places. I’m surprised he doesn’t look worse for the wear given how many hours he seems to have spent at these locales.
Perhaps as an early adopter of the Light he became a better fighter? Or maybe he’s seen as a form of messiah, which is what allows him to visit so many different variation bars and taverns without getting enmeshed in brawls himself?
There always seems to be one asshole cop with a baton knocking peoples lights out.
I like how visible they are, Even when not on.
Modern Honda design bureaus just flip a coin for whether this refresh will have red or amber turn signals.
I subtly have a lot of disdain for any brand or model that goes from amber to red. Or the way BMW changed their door handles from the objectively superior pass-thru/pull version to the weird “upward pull” version like it’s 1988 all over again.
This design seems to use the same shaped lenses as the one above
It also appears to use the same shape as the first one.
As a former owner of a ’77, I am deeply troubled by your use of the name “Civic” for these early first-gen Hondas. Clearly, as verified by the name on the grill, the name of the vehicle is CVCC. I don’t care what it says on the plate. words in chrome used to mean something in this country. The world has gone to hell since Carter left.
Adjust your spell-checker as needed.
The world has gone to hell since Carter left.
Especially since he left this plane of existence.
Best ex president ever. If you’re nerdy and lived the 70’s, Stew Eizenstat’s book on James Earl’s presidential years is tremendous.
I am beginning to think these bars are farcical.
I had a hard time finding any bar that was open close to midnight in that part of the world. Nevermind one that also catered to automotive illumination aficionados.
It’s like The Continental in the John Wickverse, you just have to know where to look. 😉
OK, this article just reinforces my belief that, by and large, the best design of a vehicle is the first iteration. Very few facelifts remain true to or actually enhance the original designer’s vision.
Don’t get me wrong, the 70′ and bumpers were a whole different issue, but that first Civic is EASILY the nicest one here.
I’d like to think it’s Honda trying to navigate a multitude of regulations they’re being told by various countries (or jurisdictions within each country) telling them what they need to include.
Torch is always enlightening the obscure dark corners of autopia. There wasn’t the profuse proclamation that the discovery deserves, but nonetheless I learned that blinker fluid is real, and apparently high proof.
I am glad I live in a world where Jason Torchinsky is given free reign to write about whatever he wants. It’s always a good day when I get to read new Torch content.
This is quite a plethora of indicators! I never would have guessed. I drove an 81 chevy chevette ‘scooter’ in high school (it was horrible) and the simple design of the civic reminds me a bit of the ‘vette.
Yeah, but those fender mirrors get me really week in the knees.
Imagine going up to the parts counter and asking for a replacement turn indicator. Good luck.
Children of Soichiro rejoice! The Summer celebration is nigh!
I assume that since they were all dependent on the bumper and with the different/changing bumper regulations over the years and across markets, the lights changed with the bumper variations.
It would be interesting to know if all of these were produced and installed in the same facilities, or if they were added once they reached the U.S.
They can change the style of indicator, but Amber was still the colour of their energy.
BOOOO!
Your boos mean nothing, I’ve seen what makes you cheer!
😀
Weird, I randomly thought about 311 on the way to work 10 minutes ago. Really makes you think.
It was probably the shades of gold displaying naturally during your commute.
Around here you can dial 311 and complain about pot holes and things