That added extra switch on the dash

M

mleder

Senior Member
Always fun to look at the un touched barn find cars that appear on x bay, Many seem to have an extra switch installed on the dash to the left of the steering wheel in the corner near where the dash meets the door. What have you seen in the cars you've come across? Just what kinds of things have those switches controlled.
 
If it has a little knob on the end of the toggle type switch it might be a dealer installed switch to control dealer installed cowl lights. Got on a while back, and am looking for another. Bob
 
My 1930 Std Phaeton had a toggle switch on the left side of the dash to switch the electric windshield wiper on and off. The dash was not drilled, but the toggle flipper was mounted hanging down between the dash panel and fuel tank. During restoration, I kept it that way.
 
My father has a story about a hole in the dash. He rebuilt the car in the 70's and the dash had several holes in it, from what one can only guess. He filled all of the holes and painted it up real nice. My grandfather came over to help install the windshield wipers. Before my father knew it, my grandfather drilled a hole in the dash to mount a switch. Needless to say, it is still that way today.
 
I've got the dome light and horn on my 29. I think it looks sort of messy and plan on relocating at least one switch. Horn goes back through the s wheel.
Pete
 
Mine had 2. It also had no wiring. What do you know, a headlight switch and horn button fit right in there. My Dad's cousin said his A in the early 50's was done the same way. Easier than fixing the original wiring before the ample supply of reproduction parts.
 
We have an original low mileage (53,700) 1930 Deluxe Coupe just out of long term storage. Other than a couple bolt on accessories, the only modification on this car is a push button starter switch located on the left side of the dash. This car was purchased new by an elderly lady who probably found it easier to start the car with a simple push of a finger rather than the original foot operated push button.
All though not original, it sure is a nice feature!
 
Model A Man said:
I thought the gas tank and dash were one in the same. How did they drill a hole without gas coming out?
Click to expand...

NO the gas tank is UNDER the dash rail or should i say parallel to it. you can attatch to the dash rail and not effect the gas tank at all, hence the reason air flow is there when the windshield is open
 
Many dash rails are akin to archaeology sites.

Between 1931 and 1967, when I acquired it, my Tudor had a hole drilled in the left hand end of the rail... perhaps for a switch for the aftermarket (dealer?) cowl lamps. Someone also re-routed the dash light wire behind the rail rather than from behind the instrument panel (much neater... I kept it). Then someone removed whatever was in the dash hole and neatly refilled and repainted the dash rail.

Now my instrument panel light wire remains hidden, my cowl lamp switch is hidden in my kick panel (so I can operate my headlamp parking lights with the original switch)and my dash rail is unsullied. I did notice, however, that behind my dash rail there were small (anti rattle?) pads made of swatches of mohair upholstery; I suspect that more "innovations" occurred on the line at the Rouge and/or at dealers than were ever documented:)
 
My car had auxillary lights on the fenders, and there was a switch mounted on the dashrail to the left of the steering wheel that controlled them.
 
My sons vicky had several horns, lights, and relays all over the car. There were 4 "unauthorized" hols in the dash and several switches behind the dash.
 
My 29 Tudor had a push button switch located on the left side of the dash. It was used to activate a solinoid for starting the car. The solinoid was mounted on the starter where the starter switch had been. W
 
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