early 1933 air cleaner?

[DavidG]

If not late '31 then very early in '32. Its one of the earliest of the prototype engines for the '32 model year. The starter location alone rules it out as having any practical application as it would have reduced the seating capacity of the coupes, roadsters and cabriolets from a tight-fitting three down to two.

Do you think that the exhaust manifolds, engine block, etc., etc. are also made of aluminum given their light color?