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My brother and I purchased a donor 1953 Packard 400 for the parts that are missing on the restoration project car we're currently working on. While going through the vehicle's contents, we ran across an oddity that I'm unable to find any reference anywhere online. The best I can describe is that it's possibly a keyed governor. It has two knobs, and they turned sheathed cables with slotted ends. Both knobs and their respective cables work, but we have no key to determine if the device can be operated.

I did take several photos of the device and are posting them. As a Graphic Designer, I know the type used on the dial's face is Art Deco, and likely used into the late 30s, but certainly not in use by the mid 40s and later.

Once the contents of the vehicle have been inspected and categorized, they will be posted as items for sale. There's a lot of beautiful and perfect stainless trim inside the donor, along with Clipper trim and interior pieces. That will be a little later, for those who may ask.

Thank you for any insight you can give. I appreciate it.

Kind regards!

Miscellaneous Parts Front
Miscellaneous Parts Back

I do believe it is a radio head but for which year I am not sure. The older radios had a small control unit on the dash connected via the cables and sometimes wires to a large box containing the rest of the works that resided on the firewall under the dash. The 36 120 shows a key under the radio head so not sure if they were in different places for different models or that one is separate. At any rate would guess the item is from the mid 30s era and maybe even for an aftermarket radio.

EDIT: There is an item on ebay identified as a 34 head. Slightly different shape but shows a key in the same location.

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Thank you, Howard! After that huge lead, I got online and did indeed find it's a Keyed Radio Head. Now all I have to do is to identify the application. According to what I've been able to find, I need to remove the two slotted screws and look under the cover. There will be a maker's mark inside the body somewhere. Now I'll have to dig into the car itself to see if I can locate the key for it. I doubt it's there, but I use a really good old-timer locksmith who can replicate nearly anything with a lock and tumblers.

Illiterati,

Even though the '53 400 is a parts car, please don't forget to include it in the Packard Owner's Registry. The amount of detail in your present '53 Patrician Touring Sedan entry is outstanding!

for including your parts car '53 Patrician Touring Sedan in the Registry.