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This is more a question of curiosity than need. Speculation would be welcome but actual observation would be definitive.

Was sorting thru my 47's interior components and among the finds was a knob and cable setup labeled "Fresh Air". The assy mounts in the dash. My car never had the option.

Question is with an owner buying that option, one might logically assume it would be added to an otherwise well equipped car. With limited space in the dash and assuming the car was well optioned, which button or function would most likely be removed to add the fresh air knob. Choices would be Heater, Defroster, Fog Lite and Electromatic. The other 4 knobs - Headlights, Instr Lights, Map Light and Cigar Lighter -- are must haves due to function or hole size -- although I suppose it is possible to fill in one of the two large holes.

Assuming all those switches and knobs were used or required, what do you think they would do or if you were the owner, what dash knob would most likely be sacrificed and either go under the dash or be eliminated.

I know there was a thread at one time with a wiring question and the possibility of heater and defroster switch being shared was mentioned. Don't believe that idea was ever conclusively put to rest and there would be a downside to sharing. You might not want both blasting hot air at the same time.

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I am wondering if Packards from southern areas had the heater as an option in which case the fresh air feature might have replaced either the heart or defroster switch location?

When i had a '41 Clipper, it had been delivered without a heater, in Atlanta, GA. The car had been fitted with a "Hadees V8" heater (no defroster) but there was no fresh air control or duct work. Maybe this started in '42?

Quote:

Not sure when it was first offered.

There was a photo posted of the engine compt flapper valve assy on site or a car on ebay with it sometime last year. I neglected to grab a copy but basically they cut a hole in the dash immediately behind the defroster/footwarmer -- or if the owner elected for the deluxe heater, behind that. The information states the option is for those owners desiring to regulate the intake of fresh air into the car and in mild climates that defroster/footwarmer air may be all that is needed.

That last bit kind of makes it sound as if the defroster switch was the one to go but if the car isn't moving, there would be no defroster. I'd hate that arrangement as one could imagine the car would fog up fairly quickly if stopped for any length of time and no air flow. Of course, some defrosters didn't do much more than make noise then so maybe not much difference with or without air.