So a buddy of mine used to own a NAPA store. When he bought the place he inherited a ton of old stock. Over the years he has sold most of it off, but there are a few pieces that remain. Two such items are a pair of switches that are in Sorensen boxes. One is labeled HL-28 the other is HL-32. The switches themselves have the same plug on the back, both have the number 680502-2 on the base. However, one is narrower than the other. He doesn't know what they are for. He says he has searched every avenue he can think of as far as the numbers go and has come up empty handed. So, just by looking at them, can anyone tell what they are for? I'm thinking some early to mid 50's car with a big Art Deco dash, like maybe a Buick.
All of the 50's Buicks I had had large push pull dash switches. But I'd guess these are in that era too.
I'm thinking a truck headlight switch - something like an International. medium duty or bigger. Check out pics of their instrument panels on Google.
The one on the right (in the first picture) looks very much like the headlight switch on my 68 Charger (probably the same for all 68-70 B-body Mopars like Coronets, Satellites, Road Runners, etc).
That would be my guess, too. All the late 60's Mopars had those type of switch in them. At least, the B Bodies did.
These are older parts. One of the things he likes about them (as do I) is that "Made in U.S.A." is clearly stamped on them both. Which makes us think they are 1970s or older.
I think(??) the Mopar guys are rite. but one thing that from what I can see is bit different. The switches I see have a round step sicking out of one side and seem to be for Chargers with the vacuum head lamp covers. Sooo, could these be for a Charger 500 (no vacuum head lamp covers) ?
Tedy, that is exactly the conclusion we came to after Jim mentioned it looks like the switch in his charger. But it isn't a vacum switch which lead us to think perhaps no-hideaway headlamps like the Charger 500. I found one on eBay that looks identical to the one he has and it states 68-69-70-71 MOPAR so I am wondering if it was perhaps the standard switch on the Coronet perhaps?
The only "open" head light for 1968.1969, 1970 Chargers were the 1969 Charger 500's... The '69 Charger 500 used a '68 Coronet grille. However, the headlight switch was the same as any other 1969 Charger and still had the vacuum ports and even the hoses attached... The hoses were cut at the firewall .... Now,, my guess on what OrthmannJ has would be to look at the 1969/1970 FULL size Chrysler.....
I was thinking they looked similar to the power window switches MOPAR used in the 60s and 70s, too. Being single switches they could be for the rear or passenger doors that use a single switch.
Even GM window switches looked similar. One on my 87 Chevy van used to act up and not work at times. But the box says HEAD LIGHT and the code is HL. So I'm guessing these are headlight switches. I'd think the NAPA parts book would show what they fit. I miss dewey our parts guy!
I miss Dewey too. He was actually the first person I thought of when my buddy asked me to help him figure this out. As I said in the first post, my Buddy owned a NAPA store. He's pretty adept at figuring this type of thing out, but for some reason these switches have remained a mystery over the years.
When I see the letters NAPA or drive past our local store I always think of Dewey and how helpful he was. I also miss his humor and everything he added to the forum. Likewise I occasionally see a comment from Mike, Silverfox, and miss him too. I often wonder where many other active members wandered off to. No one else is allowed to leave!