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Hello folks, replaced my headlights this past weekend and took the opportunity to check out the under-dash gadget that I have no idea what it is. At first I thought it was a button but upon examination it is a switch, that when mounted goes forward and backward. The metal rod it was connected to at the end right under the dash says "Speaker" but it is written backwards?? There was also what appeared to be a small hinge between the rod and the switch where it mounted.

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Good Morning...Looks like a back yard addition of some sort with parts off the shelf in the garage. Trace out the wires and just remove it all so it doen't confuse the next owner more than it is confusing us! Ernie in Arizona

Thanks Ernie, this is the end of the rode for the Baby, staying in the family!

My guess is that tracing the wires will lead to an electric fuel pump somewhere back by the fuel tank. I can't think of much else that would require a toggle switch. Mine had something similar, except the electric fuel pump was already removed when I got the car. I removed the rest of the wires and the under dash switch.

-Kevin

Does the car have a manual transmission or automatic? If manual does it have overdrive? If so the makeshift homemade arrangement could be controlling the overdrive.
Just my guess.

If you decide to remove it, do so carefully...its a really cool period bakelite switch and I'll bet you can get $40 on Ebay if that floats your boat.

With the threads on the base I would almost bet it is a repurposed house light switch of the type used with the old knob and tube surface wiring up thru the 30s or maybe a bit later. After the war that system was replaced with much safer wiring whenever possible but is still around in some old houses. The switch looks to have a missing cover unless you removed it for the photo. You often see the switches in old movies and as I recall, there was one which was prominently featured in an episode of MASH with a plot where the switch and wiring caught fire. Here is a photo of a similar example of the type.

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I think you nailed it! I guess I have some work to get busy on, thanks for all the feedback folks!!!

It really is a great little switch, never thought of that!

One thing you can be sure of is that it wasn't put there by Packard! LOL If/when you do remove it, let us know what it was for.