Rather odd replying to my own post, but another idea has crossed my mind. I
don't know about the red button under the dash, but the underhood piece sounds
suspisiously like a replacement horn rely. From the location that I "thought" I
read, and the number of wires, that sounds like a distinct possibility.
Paul
In a message dated 1/3/2004 9:00:20 PM Eastern Standard Time, RandalPark writes:
>
>
> The '55 Imperial is a six volt, positive ground car. It should not have 12
>volt power window motors or anything else. Even though the rest of the car is
>original, someone must have added that box. If someone had once added a modern
>12 volt negative ground accessory, a convertor would have been necessary. From
>the description, that's what it sounds like this box is.
>
> I once knew of a '55 Chrysler in which the radio was replaced with a '56
>model so that it could accomodate a Highway HiFi unit when the car was nearly
>new. A convertor was required since the '56 model was 12 volt and negative
>ground. I doubt that this is what actually happened to this car, but if it
>did, it could explain why the car has "never had an extra hole drilled" or
>appear to have any incorrect equipment. The '55 and '56 radio appeared to be
>identical from the outside.
>
> Some people have claimed that the '55 Crown Limo was a 12 volt negative
>ground car. I don't know if this is true or not, but I do have a '55 shop
>manual, and don't remember reading anything about it. I'll take a look the
>next time I am at the storage building and report back. This would be
>explained in the shop manual.
>
> If you can take a photograph of the box and scan it into the computer, maybe
>one of us could identify it for you.
>
> Paul
>
> In a message dated 1/3/2004 2:29:08 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>rcrabshish@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
> >
> >
> > The box is stainless, not black. It has nothing to do
> > with the points, coil or radio at all. The car is
> > original without extra options. Lights, radio,
> > electric windows, seat, and heater are standard for
> > that year. It has a dual blower hot water heater, no
> > air and a dual point ignition. At first I thought it
> > had something to do with the dual point but doesn't.
> > Then I thought it was for the radio because of the
> > amplifier. It too is factory and not connected to the
> > box. The button under the dash is red. It is located
> > next to the E-brake. It looks like it is a electric
> > trunk release, but is not. There are no holes drilled
> > in the dash for stereo equipment or extra speakers.
> > When you push the button it does nothing that I know
> > of. Everything works in the car. The lights do not
> > get brighter. It starts the same. The horns are the
> > same with or without pushing the button. It has three
> > wires going to the box, one back to the generator,
> > then back to the button on one side and to the
> > ignition switch from the button. The car is in
> > storage right now. I don't remember a name on the box.
> > It say something about 6-12 volt on the side of the
> > box. Everything looks factory with it. Could it be
> > something that converts electric window or seat
> > motors? I understand that some of these 55s were 6
> > volt and some 12 volt. I have no clue what it is. RC
> > Billings Montanaaaaaa
> >
> > --- WBinegar@xxxxxxx wrote: > In the 60s and 70s you
> > could get a form of
> > > electronic ignition for 6 volt
> > > cars. It could be a black box.
> > >
> >
> > =====
> >
> >
> > http://personals.yahoo.com.au - Yahoo! Personals
> > New people, new possibilities. FREE for a limited time.
> >
> >
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