1963 Electra Front Turn Signal Lens--Clear or Amber

[John]

A friend who owns a 63 Electra asked me why his has clear lens and another has amber. My answer was that 1963 was a transitional year in the changeover from clear to amber, and there may have been differences in state laws that required both be available; also, amber bulb with clear lenses provided the same result.

Buick parts books show clear and amber lenses both available for 63 Electra.

Anyone know more details???

[Barney Eaton]

Many GM cars started with amber bulbs and clear lens....... as time went by, many lens were changed to amber. Not sure if state/federal laws were involved and not sure if there was a single year that GM changed or if it depended on model changes that also changed the lens design.

It would be interesting to hear from others about what their cars have.

[Pete Phillips]

One is early 1963 model year; the other is late 1963 model year; Buick changed over from one to the other in mid-year. I can't recall which is which, but I covered it in the article on the full-sized 1963 Buicks in the Bugle a few months ago, and I have the dealer notification order to prove it. Not home tonight, or I would look it up.

Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

[5219]

My father bought a 1963 Electra convertible in October of 1962. It had amber lenses. Later 1963 Buicks had clear lenses. The earlier '63's also had a smooth dash without the horizontal ribs that the later '63's had.

Beautiful car. Wish I had it today.