What is this on my Model A firewall?

[ilangford]

Newbie to Model A; thought I knew a few things, but beginning to think, not so much! Please help identify what this is 'thing' in picture attached.

Thank you!

 

[Bob C]

Looks like a Bermuda bell.

 

[ilangford]

Bob, You are a genius! Exactly that! Once I got the plunger unstuck, wow! Have to ask a follow up? Was this a 'stock item' by Ford, or is it more likely a prior owner bolted this on?
Thanks!!!

 

[alexiskai]

Bermuda bells were popular in the '50s as add-ons, a way to give the car additional personality.

 

[Purdy Swoft]

I remember seeing them in JC Whitney catalogs , years ago .

 

[shew01]

Okay.... I haven’t seen one of these before. What does it do? Presumably, it would ring, but why would the driver want it to ring? Just to make a different sound?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Clem Clement]

Reproduction Bermuda bell. Years ago I missed a original one for $20! Pep Boys , western Auto, and others sold them. They are poorly designed. Unscrew the bell and look at the plunger. I replaced my weak plunger with an automobile valve. The striker is adjustable. The sound supposedly is a chick magnet.

They mount on the floorboards so your heal can stomp the plunger. Never saw one on the firewall.
Sometimes the hammer grounds on the bell and ruins the sound.

 

[SSsssteamer]

The "Bermuda Bell" was a correct period accessory around 1899 to 1905 in the Locomobile steamer car and other makes at that time. Their sound was a Ding, Dong! They usually were mounted to the floor board of the car, and they were foot operated.

 

[Charlie Stephens]

Any chance there is a hole in the firewall to operate it from the inside of the car?

Charlie Stephens

 

[McMimmcs]

I have one in two of my Model A’s ( one original ) but they are both mounted on the floor. Google them for more information.

 

[Mikeinnj]

From the JC Whitney Catalog

 

[imacrazy]

Ilangford, thanks for the memory I had a Bermuda bell on the floor board of
my 19 50 Ford.
Bill

 

[ilangford]

yes, the plunger is through the firewall... but I didn't know it was a plunger until I started getting answers on this thread!

 

[ilangford]

THanks, MIke!

 

[John Dayhuff]

I'm still looking for one of these if anyone has one for sale.
Thanks,

 

[McMimmcs]

I'm still looking for one of these if anyone has one for sale.
Thanks,

If Hershey ever opens up again, they are plentiful and not too expensive for the reproductions! Originals are not easy to be had.

 

[gdmn852]

Hello I think old street cars used them also as a signal device too.

 

[John Dayhuff]

If Hershey ever opens up again, they are plentiful and not too expensive for the reproductions! Originals are not easy to be had.

We'll I'll probably never make it to Hershey again but thats good to know anyways. Thanks,

 

[Werner]

I'm still looking for one of these if anyone has one for sale.
Thanks,

I am also very interested in this foot bell. If anyone want to send one to Germany, please offer.

 

[Jeff P. / MN]

I have one original on my Model T and a repro on my Model A. The repro actually sounds better and is louder!