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I'm in the process of chopping up my 1956 400 "rust bucket" parts car. After removing the dash, I find this "whatsit" mounted on the left upper inside of the firewall. It says "Motorola" and looks kind of like one of those old drive-in movie speakers. Anyone have a better idea?

Craig

What does the wiring look like? An audio plug or shielded cable? If a speaker, possibly for a civil defense or police type radio. Maybe a power supply.

The wiring is an insulated sheath around two insulated wires (black & white). It is not shielded.

Craig

I stick with almost my first guess and add fire dept to the list. Check out the 4th picture down.dcaptain.com/radios.htm

I think you nailed it Howard. Thanks!

Craig

I'm floored Craig. Last time I was at your place and looked at that 400 I wondered how it still stayed all together for lack of obvious parts being removed. Neat finding that speaker! And no.....I never had an old speaker like that in any of my units.

Actually that's a "leaverite" - if you don't know what it is you -leave her right- there

Just to close the story on the whatsit (Motorola speaker), here's the 56 400 chopped up ready to go to the scrapper. It was a good purchase as I paid $300 for it originally (plus going to CA and back to get it). It was the project car for the 1st and only Packard V-8 Club meet in May 2006. Many good parts were pulled then and over the years, including today.

The two guys standing behind are local fellows that I hired to do the actual chop. It had to be chopped up to be accepted by the scrapper since I don't have a title for it.

Craig

Too bad you didn't have the rest of the whatsit. That radio site might have bought it from you. Maybe they'd still want the speaker if it's decent.

HH56 Quote:

Good idea Howard. I'll email them with the picture.

Craig