What is it?

My wild guess is that it's something to do with either a door or compartment, or cowl latch based on the looks of the plate, and it's countersunk holes. That might explain the electrical connections, when opened maybe it actuated a light?

I will take a guess and ONLY a guess but I think it may be part of a rheostat to dim the direct lighting to the instrument panel. As I recall,the panel light was either off or on and for some folks including me,on was too much light. On my car that I use daily.long trips at night mean the panel is barely on and if something does go sour,the car will alert me with a squeal or a message light.

Bob Roller

I took the liberty of correcting the links so that the images open properly (for easier review).

Restoration of the LeBaron prototype is underway. I doubt any car was ever subjected to such a thorough disassembly by a prior owner as was this one. Can anyone identify this neat machined piece? It seems to have an electrical component (with bakelite housing) and armiture (?switch) on the front. A knurled thumb wheel which does not seem connected to the electrical component, and an adjustment screw. It's anyone's guess what the stamped "7" means. I would wonder if any other LeBaron Duesenberg has something like this as my guess is this most likely came from the parts bin of LeBaron rather than Connersville or Indianapolis.

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