VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 '37 Coupe floor or dash button starter switch

New purchase of a barn-kept (non running) '37 2-passenger coupe. Near complete car but is missing what appears to be a facory push button starter switch in the dash. Hole in dash looks factory. Car has a firewall-located relay to the starter and there is no evidence that this car ever had a floor starter lever. This seems unusual to me. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks.

The 1937 Master (lower priced model with solid front axle) had the floor starter. It was to the right of the gas pedal.

The 1937 Master Deluxe (had the enclosed coil spring independent front suspension) had the starterator. You depressed the gas pedal to operate the starter. When this device went heywire and the person didn't know how to repair it some owners installed the solenoid and a push button starter and remove the starterator.
The firstChevrolet car to have a dash push button starter from the factory was the 1949.

Gene,

I too have what looks like a factory punched hole for a starter button on the dash to the left side of the steering wheel. It is a round hole with two notches cut, one on each side. My starterator was long gone when I got the car, but the solenoid and push button works just fine.

Rich

All I can say is there was no hole there when they left the factory.

Gene,

I always wondered if it was a hole for the horn button for the country horns. Since those are the only horns that I have, I have them connected to the steering wheel button and I have the starter switch connected to a push button that is a perfect fit for the dash hole.

Rich

The only year that had Town and Country horns was a 1939.
The 1937 had the accessory dual horns. When the dual horns were installed the single horn mounted on the manifold was removed and the wiring for the dual horns was connected to the steering wheel button. There was no dash button. This is true for 1935-1938. I guess you could call this just a country horn.
For 1039 the accessory dual horns came with a switch that was mounted on top of the dash and the single horn was retained. The switch had a City position and when set to that position the single manifold mounted horn only worked (with the center button). When set to the Country position the dual horns would work.
In 1940 and 1941 there was a watered down version of this feature. You could purchase just the T&C switch as an accessory. The cars all came with dual horns and when switch was in the City position it cut out one horn.
In reviewing the instructions for mounting the dash top switch for 1939 drilling two holes was required. One large hole for the switch and a small hole that the switch tang required to prevent the switch from rotating....the holes were not connected, there was a space between them.
Some dealers installed the T&C switch on the left side of the dash in 1939 next to the head light switch (different set-up from the 1937 H.L. switch).
Looking through the 1937 accessory manual there were no accessories available that required drilling a hole in the dash.

Gene,

Thanks, I thought that both sets of horns were left installed and a switch was used to select the horn desired. Frankly, the T&C horns are really not all that loud under the hood.

Rich

Then there is something wrong becase the dual horns were very loud.

Agreed. Mine are quite loud. FYI, I put a three position (circuit 1/off/circuit 2) toggle switch under the dash for my accessory horns so I can switch between the single and double horns.

Well, I did not think they were any louder than the horns on my new vehicles.

One of the horns that I have makes a nasty noise. It appears to have some rust that may be affecting the sound.

Rich

Tiny, Does this mean you still use the stock horn button for the original and dual horns? If if does, can you tell me how you wired the switch. That is, what wire goes where. I have a set of dual horns ready to go on my '38 once I get it ready for the road and I was planning on putting in an extra switch for them. However, I like your idea better. Thanks. Beamer