The Ford Barn

burner31 · 07-31-2016, 07:35 PM

Anyone know what thing in the middle of the dash rail is?

Ashtray?

leadpot · 07-31-2016, 07:42 PM

Cigarette lighter? Looks like an electric wire? Hole about the size of cigarette?

Ken Anderson · 07-31-2016, 07:51 PM

I was wondering that too when I looked at the ad. It seems like I have seen one before but I still don't know what it is...

DougVieyra · 07-31-2016, 08:29 PM

The item in the middle of the Dash Rail, immediately above the Instrument Panel, is an Ash Tray, for holding cigarette or cigar ashes. Or as in my case on the two I have mounted, to hold 'folding money' for bridge fare, police bribes, etc.

The wire to the left of the Ash Tray is not an original part of the Ash Tray; but may have been added later for any number of reasons.

As the Instrument Panel is missing a Model A ampmeter, the owner installed one from a Ford Model T on the Dash Rail, to the right of the Instrument Panel. Red Light on Dash Rail, is an unknown use - could be for any number of uses.

Brian SATX · 07-31-2016, 08:57 PM

Cigar lighter appears to be located just to the left of the steering column brace.

DougVieyra · 07-31-2016, 09:08 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Good eye, Brian - I think you may be right.

Brendan · 07-31-2016, 10:18 PM

and a flash light holder

burner31 · 08-01-2016, 09:10 AM

Brian/Brendan...good catch.

Doug, do you have a pic of either or both of your installed ones?

29Cabriolet · 08-01-2016, 02:58 PM

Ah yes! The gas tank! Perfect place for cigars, cigarettes lighters and ashes.

frank mcdaniels · 08-01-2016, 03:20 PM

It should be ok, looks like the tank is empty

CarlG · 08-01-2016, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 29Cabriolet

Ah yes! The gas tank! Perfect place for cigars, cigarettes lighters and ashes.

When I got my Pickup, there was evidence that a PO had used the ribbed dash panel (late '31) as a place to strike matches.

d. · 08-01-2016, 06:18 PM

I also have seen several ribbed dashes with kitchen match strike zones wore into them.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-01-2016, 06:35 PM

Isn't it ironic that Henry hated smoking, but had the ideal striking surface on his instrument panel.

Sunnybrook Farm · 08-01-2016, 08:43 PM

The red light could be for a 3 wire alternator not sure why they wouldn't use the original ammeter. This was someone's driver and it must have really fit the person.

updraught · 08-01-2016, 08:52 PM

Is that the elusive Canadian two piece gear stick knob?

Ken Anderson · 08-02-2016, 08:22 PM

Big John has something similar on his. About six minutes in you can see it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ysdS85fXtg

07-31-2016, 07:42 PM	#2
leadpot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Blanchester, Ohio Posts: 109	Re: What is this? Cigarette lighter? Looks like an electric wire? Hole about the size of cigarette?

07-31-2016, 07:51 PM	#3
Ken Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Panama City, Florida Posts: 54	Re: What is this? I was wondering that too when I looked at the ad. It seems like I have seen one before but I still don't know what it is...

07-31-2016, 08:29 PM	#4
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: What is this? The item in the middle of the Dash Rail, immediately above the Instrument Panel, is an Ash Tray, for holding cigarette or cigar ashes. Or as in my case on the two I have mounted, to hold 'folding money' for bridge fare, police bribes, etc. The wire to the left of the Ash Tray is not an original part of the Ash Tray; but may have been added later for any number of reasons. As the Instrument Panel is missing a Model A ampmeter, the owner installed one from a Ford Model T on the Dash Rail, to the right of the Instrument Panel. Red Light on Dash Rail, is an unknown use - could be for any number of uses. Last edited by DougVieyra; 07-31-2016 at 08:36 PM.

07-31-2016, 08:57 PM	#5
Brian SATX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 821	Re: What is this? Cigar lighter appears to be located just to the left of the steering column brace. __________________ Brian SATX

07-31-2016, 09:08 PM	#6
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: What is this? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good eye, Brian - I think you may be right.

07-31-2016, 10:18 PM	#7
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,903	Re: What is this? and a flash light holder __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

08-01-2016, 09:10 AM	#8
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: What is this? Brian/Brendan...good catch. Doug, do you have a pic of either or both of your installed ones? __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

08-01-2016, 02:58 PM	#9
29Cabriolet Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 267	Re: What is this? Ah yes! The gas tank! Perfect place for cigars, cigarettes lighters and ashes.

08-01-2016, 03:20 PM	#10
frank mcdaniels Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: moorhead minnesota Posts: 166	Re: What is this? It should be ok, looks like the tank is empty

08-01-2016, 06:18 PM	#12
d. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 510	Re: What is this? I also have seen several ribbed dashes with kitchen match strike zones wore into them.

08-01-2016, 06:35 PM	#13
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: What is this? Isn't it ironic that Henry hated smoking, but had the ideal striking surface on his instrument panel.

08-01-2016, 08:43 PM	#14
Sunnybrook Farm Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 409	Re: What is this? The red light could be for a 3 wire alternator not sure why they wouldn't use the original ammeter. This was someone's driver and it must have really fit the person.

08-01-2016, 08:52 PM	#15
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,970	Re: What is this? Is that the elusive Canadian two piece gear stick knob?

08-02-2016, 08:22 PM	#16
Ken Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Panama City, Florida Posts: 54	Re: What is this? Big John has something similar on his. About six minutes in you can see it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ysdS85fXtg