What Option was this for?
#1
Just an Olds Guy
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
What Option was this for?
Tuesday I was cleaning the garage and moving 30 boxes of Cutlass parts to the shed - I need the space soon for winter. I can't believe how many neat parts I've accumulated over the years! One of the items I carted out was a 1970-72 lower dash panel. (this is the part that has the radio/AC heater escutcheons etc.)
Anyway, I was checking it out because I need to cut the hole in my dash for the factory Cruise Control. This lower dash was obviously from a ragtop and was cut appropriately. When I turned over the dash, I noticed that on the right side (next to the radio cutout) there is ANOTHER factory cutout area for what looks like another dash switch. Does anyone know what this would have been intended for? My best guess is that these cars were designed to originally have a power antenna. It could work out nicely for me because my car will have 2 rear window defoggers. One will be the forced air, and the other is the rear defog on glass. I could put the other defogger next to the radio, or beside the cruise; just haven't decided which way to go. I would obviously have to get a trim plate made for 'Defog'. There are local companies that can do this for me.
I'll get a pic tomorrow. Anyone else notice this cutout area on their lower dash?
Anyway, I was checking it out because I need to cut the hole in my dash for the factory Cruise Control. This lower dash was obviously from a ragtop and was cut appropriately. When I turned over the dash, I noticed that on the right side (next to the radio cutout) there is ANOTHER factory cutout area for what looks like another dash switch. Does anyone know what this would have been intended for? My best guess is that these cars were designed to originally have a power antenna. It could work out nicely for me because my car will have 2 rear window defoggers. One will be the forced air, and the other is the rear defog on glass. I could put the other defogger next to the radio, or beside the cruise; just haven't decided which way to go. I would obviously have to get a trim plate made for 'Defog'. There are local companies that can do this for me.
I'll get a pic tomorrow. Anyone else notice this cutout area on their lower dash?
#7
Cruise, Night-Watch, conv top or power antenna are the only things that come to mind and those were almost always on LH side of dash. I've never seen a car with a switch between the radio and HVAC control. Remote RH mirror was still a few years in the future.
Defog switches were always incorporated into the HVAC faceplate- dealer jobs came with appropriate faceplate in the kit, that had to be changed out.
Defog switches were always incorporated into the HVAC faceplate- dealer jobs came with appropriate faceplate in the kit, that had to be changed out.
#9
Just an Olds Guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Not there Tony, it is to the right of the radio. I'll get a pic later and post it so you can see what I'm talking about.
Cruise, Night-Watch, conv top or power antenna are the only things that come to mind and those were almost always on LH side of dash. I've never seen a car with a switch between the radio and HVAC control. Remote RH mirror was still a few years in the future.
Defog switches were always incorporated into the HVAC faceplate- dealer jobs came with appropriate faceplate in the kit, that had to be changed out.
Defog switches were always incorporated into the HVAC faceplate- dealer jobs came with appropriate faceplate in the kit, that had to be changed out.
Hi Mike! The rear power window on a wagon was also on the left side of the steering column. There was room for it since the only other option at the time was Cruise.
I was thinking about drilling it out and putting a spare rocker switch there labelled "Security"
#12
Just an Olds Guy
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Mystery Option pics
Ok, just got in and have pics
Everyone's familiar with the backside of the left dash. This dash was cut from the factory for a vert
Front side of same section
Now, for the mystery option: Here's the backside of the dash - to the right side of the radio (from the front) Because of it's location I think it was originally going to be a switch for a power antenna. I plan to cut out the area and use it with a switch - possibly label it "Security" or " Ejector".
And the front looks just like you'd expect any Cutlass dash to look like
I was planning to use this dash as a practice unit for mine. Or it will replace mine if it turns out really nice. Will have to change its color though. This one is probably the same as Lady's. (sans Cruise). I know the radio holes have been overcut - the guy who sold me this told me it was, but not seriously enough to be a problem. Some JB Weld will patch it back to new condition if I need to.
Everyone's familiar with the backside of the left dash. This dash was cut from the factory for a vert
Front side of same section
Now, for the mystery option: Here's the backside of the dash - to the right side of the radio (from the front) Because of it's location I think it was originally going to be a switch for a power antenna. I plan to cut out the area and use it with a switch - possibly label it "Security" or " Ejector".
And the front looks just like you'd expect any Cutlass dash to look like
I was planning to use this dash as a practice unit for mine. Or it will replace mine if it turns out really nice. Will have to change its color though. This one is probably the same as Lady's. (sans Cruise). I know the radio holes have been overcut - the guy who sold me this told me it was, but not seriously enough to be a problem. Some JB Weld will patch it back to new condition if I need to.
#13
Now, for the mystery option: Here's the backside of the dash - to the right side of the radio (from the front) Because of it's location I think it was originally going to be a switch for a power antenna. I plan to cut out the area and use it with a switch - possibly label it "Security" or " Ejector".
And the front looks just like you'd expect any Cutlass dash to look like
I was planning to use this dash as a practice unit for mine. Or it will replace mine if it turns out really nice. Will have to change its color though. This one is probably the same as Lady's. (sans Cruise). I know the radio holes have been overcut - the guy who sold me this told me it was, but not seriously enough to be a problem. Some JB Weld will patch it back to new condition if I need to.
However, if it were a switch location, everyone is ignoring the elephant in the room here. Look at an owners manual. It will tell you if there is a switch location there.
#14
That is the same type of arrangement as for the CRUISE switch (between the TOP and WIPER switches). Guides are there (only half on one side), as well as the screw holes.
BUT, looking closely, it would have to have a different bezel, because that lower dash mountin stud would prevent cutting the same way as for the TOP or CRUISE switches.
Allan, check fit a switch there before cutting.
BUT, looking closely, it would have to have a different bezel, because that lower dash mountin stud would prevent cutting the same way as for the TOP or CRUISE switches.
Allan, check fit a switch there before cutting.
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