Interested Dash information
 

Ever wonder what this was on the Dash?
I've collected 3 so far.
The answer is in the 2nd picture.

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Very interesting!

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Hmmm, a flame so close to a possibly leaking fuel gauge. Not that a flash of flame would be likely to cause a serious fire but it could give the driver or passenger a fright.

Re: Interested Dash information
 

The very first Model A I looked at to buy in 1966 (a 1931 Coupe) in answer to my classified ad in a local newspaper had a similar black, splotchy pattern over the instrument panel's ribs. The older person selling the car explained that traveling salesmen in the day would strike matches over the ribs to light their smokes. I was skeptical (at the age of 17 already!) and thought he was just trying to explain away a weak selling point in his car. I was told the same thing many times later over the years, so I guess the old codger had been right back in '66. 'Still didn't buy the car, though. I ended up with a different 1931 Coupe as my first Model A, whose instrument panel had been spraypainted silver - probably to hide the black, splotchy pattern on the panel's face. :)
Marshall

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Standard practice.

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In 58 I had a Zippo. Much easier than wooden matches. I filled it with Avgas from the wheel well quick drain in Navy Super Connie’s I still have it but have no need to use it.

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I knew the answer!! This one I have was a heavy match user!!

Re: Interested Dash information
 

That's interesting.

What could possibly go wrong lighting a match on a gas tank that is leaking.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Wick, those are the wrong kind of matches. One would have to use the "strike anywhere" kind that had two colors on the tips. I am not sure if they are available anymore.

Regarding leaking tanks: In the 60's while driving my 30 coupe home from college, I stopped at a gas station in a rural part of California. I was curious about the burned gas station (back then gas stations could be of wood construction). The man there told me that a Model A had caused the fire when a faulty ignition switch ignited the leak from the fuel tank.

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Ace Hardware carries them.

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Striking wood matches to light their smokes!

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Never knew! Thanks for sharing.

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Have that on my roadster.

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I knew the matches were wrong, all I had to use for demonstration purposes.
The gas guage probably didn't leak much in the 30s-40s, Then zippo lighters became popular.
I will go to Ace and get some real matches, I thought they were gone.

Re: Interested Dash information
 

I find that very interesting but then again I never smoked.

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Probably the roll your own. Or camels.

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Or Luckys. Anybody remember L.S.M.F.T.? :D

Re: Interested Dash information
 

Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco.
Marshall, non-smoker

Re: Interested Dash information
 

there are also a couple "R-rated" variations of this :D

-Chris (no cigarettes since October 1978)