I believe it is the main electrical switch for a Drive-Master transmission. I have actually seen new old stock ones "out there".

Thanks for the info. I read up a little on the drive-master. That system seems like quite an engineering feat. Did they work correctly when new?

I'm afraid I can't answer since I haven't owned one. A fellow in our chapter rebuilt a Vacumotive (second cousin to a Drive-Master) and it worked fine. And I have actually seen the old Electric Hand (third cousin once removed) in an original installation, which worked pretty well after all those years, except for a bit of "hunting" for gears. So, yes, with some patience you could probably rebuild one and get it working just fine. As with other components on all antique cars though, I'm sure it requires a good deal of maintenance!

There's a Vacumotive Service information book in the online library - filed under "Other Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Literature at the top of the home page. Go to:

http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN