Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I take it its the knob thats a 51-52 dash knob you're wondering about? Given the fifty plus years since it was produced it could actuate a number of things due to the want of the previous owners. Obviously the first thing is to see that the rest of the knobs function as they are supposed to to eliminate possibilities, then see what options you have but no control to. Its very possible its to a rear speaker or antennae added later on but it could start the underseat heater or rear defogger since they were initially wired to turn on/off with the heater. I know when (a certain place beneath our feet will freeze over)I get my Cavalier out on the road I'm going to wire the rear defogger to its own switch.

Hi all! Well, turns out (no pun) that it IS a front to rear speaker fader. Wow! I've got sound all through the car now. One less wiring problem solved. All this time I thought I'd have to spend a weekend tracking down why the rear speaker wouldn't work. Thanks for the assistance everyone!

Rear speaker fader would have been my guess also. Too bad it was installed in the wrong position. Kev's diagrams and screen shot show the correct position. Also notice the knob doesn't match the others? It is for a 51.

Thanks Bob. I guess I'd better start looking for another 53 switch. I'd rather keep things as close to original as possible. Can't do much about the hole in the wrong place though... Damn!

Switch will be the same--just need a 53-4 knob to match your others --has to be setscrew type for 1/8 shaft. The same knob design was used thru 56 on Clippers and are commonly seen but the shaft size and attachment method are different on later knobs.

David Moe (Seattle Packards) has those knobs. That is where I got mine from.

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How much were these parts, Kev?

I think the Knob was like $15. More if you want the spacer and the bezel I would imagine.

Thanks Kev! Now I know what to plan for.