what is this under the dash?

[39topless]

The photo here is of a 1939 convertible coupe. This is not my car. Please note an arrow drawn on the photo to point to an object located under the dash and just above the pedals. My '39 does not have this object. In fact, there are lots of objects my '39 does not have. This being one of them. Can someone please tell me what this object is?
Thank you,
Phil

 

[Kurt in NJ]

It looks like the radio box----the part on the dash has cables that connect to it

 

[Vic Piano]

It is the dash lights dimmer or rheostat... I have one in my '39 Convertible Sedan.

 

[39topless]

Pretty high tech for 1939. I suppose it was an option.
Thanks

 

[V8COOPMAN]

It is the dash lights dimmer or rheostat... I have one in my '39 Convertible Sedan.

Vic........That big, brown thing with the holes in it that the POINT of the arrow touches. DD

 

[swoopNZ]

Radio valve box. Either Philco or Zenith.
Suspended under the dash by 2 bolts that come through the cowl.
There was another optional Philco radio for 1939 that had a smaller square
valve box that was attached to the centre of the firewall by a single bolt.
About where that heater is.
That model has the tuning knobs on the outer side of the bezels.

 

[Pete]

Does the car have a trailer hitch?
It could be an electric brake controller.

 

[Vic Piano]

Vic........That big, brown thing with the holes in it that the POINT of the arrow touches. DD

I don't have a clear view of that on my computer, it's too dark to see anything so, it looks like the arrow is pointing to the dash light dimmer switch... What exactly is the arrow pointing to?

 

[39topless]

Sorry for the confusion. I was trying to point to the metal box, with vent holes, that's installed under the dash and just above the pedals. As mentioned above, it is most likely
part of the radio.