What is this lump for?

[pgerhardt]

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?

[J Franklin]

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

[Rojo]

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...

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

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

[DadOfTwo]

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

[Not George]

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Originally Posted by pgerhardt

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!

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

[Big hammer]

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

[modelAtony]

Originally Posted by pgerhardt

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?

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

[norway]

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

[Russ B]

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.

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Russ B

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.

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

[Tudortomnz]

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

[Manager]

Originally Posted by Big hammer

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

No i think his hand is still firmly on it.

[Dollar Bill]

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.

[Skeezixx]

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

[James G.]

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

[Papa's CCPU]

Originally Posted by Dollar Bill

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.

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?

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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

[Skeezixx]

It's a Crumple Zone!

[Papa's CCPU]

Originally Posted by James G.

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

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