Dan Reed Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Anybody know what this knob is attached to the bottom of the radio in my 1951 Olds 98 sedan? It's a rotating knob with 3 position detents (notice the arrow on the face of the knob). Wondering if it is an upgrade from the 1950 antenna trimmer screw. The weather here in PA is still too crappy to fire the car up and get it out, so I haven't had the radio on to try the knob. Maybe next week. I've only had the car a month and just happened to see this mystery knob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Maybe radio speaker select if it has more than one speaker installed. If it was not a detention switch I would have guessed it was a fader speaker control for front to rear speaker selection. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curti Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Probably a aftermarket radio or heater. Why don't you trace the wires to find out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Just a guess......maybe a on/off control switch for a rear seat speaker if your car is equipped. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Looks like the switch for the machine that goes Ping. Export for the UK model? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Reed Posted January 25 Author Share Posted January 25 Two points mentioned above were, control for rear speaker, and somebody said to trace the wires. My Olds does have a rear speaker. Regarding the wires, they go into the radio itself. Next time I get the car out I'll have to see if it effects the rear speaker at all. It's a 3 position knob so maybe [Front - Both - Rear] speaker selection. Interested to find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Studebuddy Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Neat looking little switch. I'm guessing speaker selection. One other possibility could be a switch for a power antenna. I have seen auxiliary switches used offset from a factory radio when someone added an aftermarket power antenna. Some early power antennas had the option of being down, half-mast or fully extended, so having multiple settings on the switch would make sense. But, I'm guessing you would know if your car had that modification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
human-potato_hybrid Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Idk if they had Radio Vibrato this early but that was another thing. Because it's 51 I would guess a rear speaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge28 Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 Aftermarket stuff. Trace the wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted January 25 Share Posted January 25 A genuine Oldsmobile accessory rear seat speaker switch for 1950-1952 Oldsmobiles, the real deal. Gr.9.650 P/N 7257865. That chrome knob matches the style of the rest of the knobs on the dashboard and the wiring connector on the left side of the switch sure looks authentic. See Ebay item # 195396870632. Confirmed by parts book. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Reed Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 Yep, I bet "The 55er" is on to something. I did more searching and found the actual part number you are referring to with the item's photo (which looks exactly like it. Next time I fire up the car I'll have to see if it works. because there is a factory rear speaker. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 5 hours ago, The 55er said: A genuine Oldsmobile accessory rear seat speaker switch for 1950-1952 Oldsmobiles...Confirmed by parts book. Thanks, Mr. 55er. This forum is great for the sharing of automotive expertise, often even for the most obscure items! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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