What is this lump for?
 

I was up in the garage walking around my 29 tudor planning my spring projects when I discovered this "lump" in the middle of my dash rail. I thought this was one more thing to add to the list of things I need to correct. But then I did a google image search for 29 Ford model A dash rail and found the "lump" common in many of the images.
So what is the deal with this "lump"? Was it found on all 29 tudors? Does anyone have any idea why it would be there?

Re: What is this lump for?
 

Style, fashion, beauty, All things auto designers strive for. Like what were fins on mid fifties cars for?

Re: What is this lump for?
 

I have a May '29 Tudor that has been in the family since new and it has a similar "lump"....though not as pronounced as your's appears....would be interesting to find out what you learn...never thought about it myself...

Re: What is this lump for?
 

Yeah, except the model A was designed back before Ford even had a design department. I can't imagine a meeting at Ford in 1927 where someone said, " That dash rail look too plain. Lets add a bump to jazz it up!" I am guessing that there must have been some engineering reason for it, but I have no idea what that might be!:confused:

Re: What is this lump for?
 

I must have a tudor dash, since my coupe has it, too.

Re: What is this lump for?
 

I think you may be reading a bit too much into it.

Re: What is this lump for?
 

How close does your gear shift come to the dent? Maybe a hand slipped and left the print

Re: What is this lump for?
 

My 29 Roadster also has the lump. I thought all 29's had this on dash. Not sure of the 28's. Have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA

Re: What is this lump for?
 

My 29 pickup closed cab, also has the lump. But i dont know if my dash is original.

Re: What is this lump for?
 

Just a postulation on my part, but an engineering reason, might be to improve the quality of the stamping. Given the shape, I would guess that that area might need extra shrinking after being stamped if the part was formed as a smooth roll all the way across the bottom edge. The lump gives a place for extra metal to go. Someone, who is a better metal shaper than I, might better answer this query, but that is my best guess.

I had to do a bit of shrinking in the lower part, center, of my firewall to smooth a lump in that area on my '29. I think it was due to the stamping result, not a part of the intended design shape, as other firewalls were slightly different. But the firewall stamping quality would not get as much attention as the dash rail.

Re: What is this lump for?
 

That sounds logical. I'm going with your hypothesis unless something better comes along.:D

Re: What is this lump for?
 

All '28 & '29 dashes had this except for the Briggs & Murray dash which is a different design.

Re: What is this lump for?
 

No i think his hand is still firmly on it.:D

Re: What is this lump for?
 

I'm with Rush - Creases, beads or lines in a flat panel provide rigidity so I'm thinking the bulge is not only a style element but reinforcement as well.

Who knows, there may have been plans to install a gauge or switch in that location and it was cancelled after the tooling was struck.

Re: What is this lump for?
 

My 29 roadster has one. I find it quite attractive:

Re: What is this lump for?
 

Could it have been where a dash lamp was intended??
JG

Re: What is this lump for?
 

Or a light?
Been waiting for someone else to post this possibility, but doesn't it look as though the instrument light might fit behind there?

Re: What is this lump for?
 

Vermin, my June '29 Coupe, DOESN'T have the "lump"!
Bill W.

Re: What is this lump for?
 

It's a Crumple Zone!

Re: What is this lump for?
 

Did not see your post when I replied!
It sure looks as like the dash lamp could fit nicely behind that "lump".....