70 Ghia Hole in the dash - What is it for?

[NOVA Airhead]

My '70 Ghia has a hole in the dash just left of the windshield wiper knob. I have seen photos of other cars with this hole. What was it for? A cigarette lighter perhaps?

[ieure]

[NOVA Airhead]

No, it is not for the brake circuit light. On a '70, that is to the left of the steering column and present on my car. This hole is to the right of the steering column between the steering column and windshield wiper switch.

I checked the owner's manual and it shows nothing should be there. I know there was an optional, dealer installed cigarette lighter available in '70 and thought they may have mounted it there.

While it could be something from a PO, I have seen photos of other 70 ghias posted for sale on Samba with the same hole in the exact same location. The hole is cleanly made - looks like something that would come from the factory.

[jason_hamilton]

How big is the hole? Cigarette lighter size or smaller? You can assume that if it's not shown in the owner's handbook, then it didn't come that way from Germany.
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Jason Hamilton
1969 Karmann Ghia coupe
@MiddleAgedHoon

[NOVA Airhead]

It looks to be about the size of a cigarette lighter. Its about the same size as the hole for the brake light.

[jason_hamilton]

Perhaps a dealer installed or region-specific accessory, such as a rear window defroster switch?
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Jason Hamilton
1969 Karmann Ghia coupe
@MiddleAgedHoon

[NOVA Airhead]

No, that is not it as the rear defogger switch is in its proper place as per the Owner's Manual - above the driver's left leg, slightly under the dash.

There is a '70 Ghia 'vert in the classifieds that has the exact same hole in the exact same location. Here is the link:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=179856

Take a look at the photo of the dash and note the hole between the steering wheel and wiper switch. I have the exact same hole in the exact same location which leads me to believe it was not something from a PO.

I will try and post a pic of the hole from my car later.

[walkerman]

[Gary]

[MatB]

I also have this hole in my '70 coupe. No idea what goes there.

I anxiously await a consensus.
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1970 KG Coupe
1835cc engine
Dual Kads

[retrowagen]

Ghias and (Baywindow) busses of the late 60's-early 70's vintage (the ones with the plastic or fake wood covering) usually had a few extra cutouts for extra switches. Two "factory" ones I can immediately think of are those for an Eberspacher gas-fueled auxiliary heater, or a factory foglamp kit.

Ever seen a factory foglamp switch? I have an NOS one on sale on eBay right now: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...AMESE%3AIT

Anyhow, the dealer mechanic would simply knock a hole through the dash facing of the Ghia or bus to fit the switch. Neat, eh?
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David Ruby
President, Karmann-Ghia World Club

[walkerman]

[Captain_joe6]

I can back this up with an earlier car. My 68.5 has the exact same hole and I assure you, a cigarette lighter will not fit. I tried with an original. What I did notice, though, is that it is an exact duplicate of the hole on the other side that the brake emergency light occupies, but that the one straight side of it is opposite of the one in the brake button's hole. My owner's manual just shows dash face covering the hole. I left it covered, and it looks fine. Maybe those foglights though...

[Ghiaddict]

Usually we enlarge this hole and do install a
cigarette lighter or power socket for accessories,
especially if the customer opts for the painted dash look.
Never discovered what was the original purpose of the smaller
orifice, but I'd guess some type of aux./euro equipment.
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Karmann Ghia & Beetle parts available.
Convertible tops installed.

[peterericb]

It probably had a punch out in it (metal held on just by a little tab) and some PO opened it to install a switch for an electric fan or some other crap accessory, and there ya go now you are stuck with it.

Lots of cars have extra cut-outs for add-on switches. For instance my 2004 WRX has about 4 that I can think of and only one is for a factory or dealer installed option that I don't have.
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I love it when a guy covered in tattoos tells me I should keep my Ghia "All Original"

[NOVA Airhead]

Well here is a picture of the hole that I have. Its the same as the picture previously posted (even looks like the same shade of blue).

It does appear to have been something from the factory due to its shape and how clean the hole is. My guess would be the heater since as pointed out a cigarette lighter will not fit.

On that topic, where did they put a cigarette lighter? I believe it was a dealer accessory. You would expect it to be near the ashtray and something of a requirement for a German car. If you have ever been to Gernamy it seems that 9 out of 10 people smoke - but maybe that is only in the beer halls and taverns!

[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/228480.jpg
[/img][/url]

[Driveway Jewelry]

I have the same hole and yes it is too smal for a lighter. I put a toggle switch in it for my stereo (otherwise it would run hot all of the time) Fit perfect

[NOVA Airhead]

Lets try that link again for the photo:

[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/228480.jpg
[/img]

[NOVA Airhead]

This time I have it:

[Buggeroff]

Our 69 Ghia had the woodgrain dash and there was an indentation in the plastic which matches this "hole".
I also have a picture of a 69 which has a switch ? installed in this position.
The shot is little blurry but the logo on the switch appears to be like a "Zippo" in the open position suggesting a cigarette lighter, seems like a daft place to put it though, they are normally installed fairly centrally to allow the passenger to reach it.
Chris.
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"Chris of the Ozarks"

Headlinerless 57 Ghia
Thread deleter extrordinaire.