another slightly odd part

[Young Ed]

I know I've mentioned before that I suspected my p15 parts car to be a really early model. Well a parts wanted ad led me to another discovery. The list so far of different parts I've discovered:

chrome plug in place of drivers door lock

dash and windshield had holes with plugs in them. The plugs are woodgrained so certainly factory.

Also I'm not sure which came off what car but I've got chrome pieces for the window garnishes that are different. Some have raised parts that would allow the chrome to be attached with a screw along with the normal stud for the clips. Now the latest piece. The spare tire holddown. Instead of a slot type hole it has a round hole in the middle. I thought when I took the car apart it was still bolted in but I didn't find the bolt with the hold down. Its the same size and shape as my other one but with a different hold. As far as I can tell the hole is factory.

[greg g]

Mine is an October 46 vintage and I have the same style hold in. Didn't know enough to know it was different later models.

[Young Ed]

Greg what kinda of bolt does this version use? One with a huge washer? I am sending this hold down to another forum member and he might appreciate knowing what he needs to find or make.

[greg g]

Yep the bolt goes through another domed (rather than doomed) washer. The bolt is perhaps 4 inchs long and tapered a bit on the back like a lug bolt.

[BobT-47P15]

I've seen both styles, Ed. I'm using the slotted one with another washer

on top of it. Kind of a pain to get it at just the right angle to start the

threads....but otherwise it works fine.

Not sure about the plug in your driver's door. Wonder if they removed the

lock when it quit working, then inserted the plug. I have chrome plugs in

both doors.....since I have not gotten replacement locks installed. Have a

pair on the shelf.....

I believe there was a time when cars only had a lock

on the passenger door, since you were supposed to enter and exit the

car at the curb.

[Young Ed]

Bob this looks factory to me. Cant imagine where it would have come from except mopar. My 46 pickup only has 1 lock too. Funny whats old is new again. Now with all the electronic entry stuff they dont put one in both doors again.

[greg g]

Yor friend and ours Henry FOrd had a Safety (more likely a money saving idea)idea back in the late 30's. He figured hat it was dangerous to stand in the street and lock unlock and or ope your car door. Therefore hr decided that his cars should only have exterior lock tumblers on the passenger or curb side. Looks like other manufacturers copied the idea as they didn't want ford to be the only one saving all those lives (errrr money). Make half a million cars delet one lock even at 50 cents a cylinder was big bucks.

Take a look at most modern cars, they only have one key tumbler any more usually on the Drivers side (to heck with those folks opening the drivers side on the streets) Think of all the oney thery are saving now.