I am thinking about making some sort of accessory switch panel to mount below the dash of my 444. This would house switches for my new (non-stock) Trico windscreen squirters, accessory driving lights, rear window defrosters, etc.

I am struggling with what it should look like though. The easiest thing to make it out of would be aluminum. I could probably hog something out of a flat sheet (using a mill), drill the switch holes in it, then sandblast it smooth. I'm just not sure what shape to make it. I've been looking around for something vintage looking on ebay, but surprisingly, have not found much (the defroster switch panel below looks period-correct). Gauge clusters/panels are common, but not accessory switch panels.



Has anyone added something like this?

The other option would be to drill holes in the dash, but I just can't bring myself to do that.

Hi
Volvo delivered a switchpanel as accessories for the PV444. A original Volvo accessories catalag has this picture:

http://darak.no/PV/images/diverse/1958-accessories-US/side-17-72-640d.jpg

I have one panel and I have taken a photo. see this URL:

http://darak.no/PV/images/tilbehor/swichpanel/P4236440-b.jpg

How can I get this pictures into the message ??

Hi Dag: Essentially you have to place some HTML codes around the URLs you've provided; like this:

thanks
Im sorry but the switches are not for sale.
I found them on ebay some years ago.

Try http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062527&cp=&sr=1&origkw=switch+panel&kw=switch+panel&parentPage=search

I use it on my amazon:
http://groups.msn.com/ClubVolvodelPeru/volvo1211966.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=557

Belinda,

I was helping you search eBay for some switches, and came across this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1939-40-41-42-46-47-1948-chevy-def-switch-gm-accessory_W0QQitemZ270112577339QQihZ017QQcategoryZ34197QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Or this one - from the same seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1939-40-41-1942-46-47-1948-chevy-heat-gm-accessory_W0QQitemZ270112576194QQihZ017QQcategoryZ34197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Here's another from a different seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-truck-heater-switch-42-46-47-48-49-50-51-52_W0QQitemZ320104793734QQihZ011QQcategoryZ140731QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



Look familiar? To me, these look exactly like the heat/air/blower switches in my 444 except for the color, the engraved letters and the fuse holder in the rear. I only wonder what the rest of this switch assembly looks like? Unless it is just meant to mount under the dash. Check out the seller's other auctions for more switches too.

I wonder what other GM parts are identical to my 444's?

Here's another idea... Do a search for "heater switch" in the Vintage Car & Truck Parts section of eBay. Or, try this search. There are ton of "period correct" switches that I believe would look great in my 444.

Good luck!

--
Tony Scarola
1958 Volvo PV444 (44408)
http://www.scarolas.com/58VolvoPV444/

As most know I'm a bit of a purist, so here's a picture of the actual 444 accessory panel, with toggle switches and what appears to be an indicator light. There werea few of these selling on eBay a few years back, but the cost went through the roof. Should be relatively easy to fabricate.

wow thanks for this picture. I had no idea

BTW, what is the toggle switch above the emergency brake for? Mine is cut

If you mean the cream colored switch with the red indicator light in the center, then that's the pull switch for my backup light.
--
Cam a.k.a. CVOLVO.COM

Since the cars (444-544)are probably most related to Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth and maybe Studebakers, of the late 40's, I'd look at photos of dashboards of any of those cars. I have a small heavy metal panel, about 6 inches long, which came from a '49 Plymouth Wayfarer I found in the boneyard. It attaches under the dash. There is room for 3 or 4 switches, and it looks like it belongs. In a'47/'48? Chrysler I also found a really cool underdash panel. It had a beautiful engine turned metal pattern engraved in it, and was about 12 or 14 inches long. It now lives in my '58 Duett. If you didn't know the cars, you'd swear it was factory installed. Go forth and scrounge!!

ooooh, I would love to see a picture of these panels!

yup, exactly what I was thinking..

Belinda;

As designer of this panel, you need to ask yourself how many switches do I need to accomodate...are they of primary or seconadry importance (this will determine how close and easily reachable they need to be)...do I anticipate needing to add another anytime soon...that sort of thing...the appearance and final location is obviously up to you, but you need to clear shifter if your putting it under center of dash, and your knees during getting in and out (and God-forbid accidents*) if mounting to the left. Discretely under the dash, but easily reachable, so no visual impact on the original dash might be nice. Also, if you put indicators on the panel, they need to have a day/night brightness setting...indicators bright enough to be seen in daylight (LEDs are not good at this), will be WAY too bright at night without some sort of throttling back of the brightness.

* Switch toggles sticking out from sharp edged panels are not friendly to flailing body parts during impacts...use big knob switches or recess protrusions and rounded edges to prevent impalements and lacerations!

Try too use existing hardware to mount panel...there's a lot of it around, so you shouldn't nee to drill new holes...

Here's the (USS Enterprise style) dash of the Snow Weasel, where I replaced the ashtray with a panel which contains everything additional: http://www.sw-em.com/snowwsl_dash_lores.jpg

Cheers

neat

good points too