a semaphore...

...indicator (or trafficator) and this one thriving on a 79 year old Austin 7 that hooned (it really did!) into the carpark at our local deli.

What a treat and there she was in her glorious green glory  with all her original fittings (including crank start for cold days..extra) and now loved by her eighth owner L.
He has decided not to go the bling route (trafficators now can be fitted with glowing LEDs eeeek!) and the cable brakes still remain which apparently requires a firm and insistent foot.
He has however fitted indicators on her back bumpers...as he says no one is looking for a 'semaphore' to indicate which way they are turning.

Originating in the UK this A7 spent most of her life in New Zealand with a series of 'careful lady drivers who may well have used the trafficator,  the shape of which is 'closely based upon the shape of the semaphore signal arm used by the Royal Bavarian Railway beginning in 1890. The only difference from the railway arm is that it is halved down its length so as to fit flush with the vehicle's exterior.'

Long may she semaphore.