Little white knob?

I was wondering if anyone out there knows what the smaller white knob next to the headlight switch is for on the orignal 57 speedster? I am going to install a 65 VW Bus turnsignal switch on my car and I'm going to loose the hi-beam switch as a result. I am considering putting an interupter switch next to the headlight switch to act as my hi-beam/lo-beam switch. Any alternative suggestions are very welcome. I promise to post pictures of my car soon. I'm just a waiting until it is a little more "up to snuff". The ones I see of all of yours are very impressive. Oh, and one more thing - where can I find a Porsche horn button for a Flat 4 repilca banjo wheel?

I think that the larger knobs are for the lights and wipers, the smaller knob would be for the interior lights, it's that way on my '55.

The high/low beam switch is on the floor, although when using an original 356A steering wheel and horn ring, you can wire the horn to the ring and the high/low to the horn button. Really kinda slick.

If you use a '67 bus switch (same look as the '65) I THINK that the high/low function is in the switch. It is for sure in the '68 although they look just a little bit different. They're smooth on top, no ribs.

Luck,

TC

thanks TC! I appreciate the help.

The small knobs were use mostly for ignitions . A carrea had 2 switches leading and trailing for the twin cam engine ignition systems.
BUT, I got some and used them for the fog lights and soon the gas heater.( Heater is still in the test stages.)


Stoddards Import parts is where I got my horn button.

Thanks Barry! You guys are a great help to us newbies!

Barry, did you order the horn button for the 356A, or the other one? Was it just a matter of popping the old one out and putting the new one in?

Brian

I think 356a is right. I do know it is a 80mm horn button, and works with the flat 4 banjo.
As long as you say 1956 or 1957, and ask them to ckeck and confirm the diameter of it. I don't forsee a problem.

Brian, I use a 3mm tee alan in the 3 holes around the wheel to pop out the horn button. Its a easy swap.

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all your advice. I called on an "old source" today. About 20 years ago I saw a speedster out in front of a garage. So one day I walked in and asked the guy (Dave Baker) if he wanted to sell it? It turned out he restored old Porsches, after a brief chat he advised me to buy a replica if it was just the "look" I was going for because orignals were difficult to find and just as difficult to keep up (parts). On a whim I went back today to see if he was still around and he was! When I asked him about the little white knob he walked me over to one of his garages and opened it up - under the cover was an IMMACULATE 1958 356A! It was beautiful! It turns out the knob is for the wipers and the knob that serves on the replicas as the wiper knob is actually a hand throttle to adjust idle. He as well advised me to get the horn button from Stoddards. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do about the hi-beam situation - I may just install an old floor button? Thanks again!

I would not put the dimmer switch on the floor. I did and did not like it there.It also takes away your foot well area.

You can eather use a 67 or 68 bus turn signal switch with the dimmer.
Or use a momentary button on the dash, with a VW dimmer relay.

Or do what I did with a scrap peace of antenia ,I soldored a small wire to one end and made it a mometary switch you can slide over the earlyer turn signal switch shaft. Use one layer of scotch tape on the base end of the shaft as insulation.

Simply hold the turn signal switch knob and pinch the shaft and click they dim.

The little ivory knob in my car is next to the head lamp switch. In my instance it is used for the driving/fog lamps.

The A cars with the horn ring were wired so the horn ring would sound the horn and the horn button would flash the head lights. It did not act as a low/high switch.

Thanks again for the advice! I think I've finally got it! I found a 68 bus turn signal swith (w/dimmer) on the samba so that'll take care of the hi-beam issue. And I think I'm just going to put a switch in for the fog lights (down the road) where the little white knob goes. I know you've heard tis thousands of time Dale but your car is AWESOME! Thanks again

Yours too Barry! I can only hope someday I get mine there.

Oh by the way.
I made my small knobs and matched them to the 1966 vw knobs by buying spares and carving them down to size.

All you need is a drill to spin them, a exacto knife, and some lacker thinner , and 400 grit wet/dry sand paper.

I just carved them down, and made them look as simmular to the others as I could. it come off in fine curls very neatly.
Then cleaned and smoothed them with sandpaper and thinner. After they dryed a while I polished them off with Wynnail chrome polish.

No one has caught it yeat,and they have been on the car 2 years.

If any off you need a set its not a problem. I,d be willing to make a set or 2 just to stay in practice. if you need them to match VW.

Stoddards has the Porsche ones I know in black. Im not sure if they still stock the beige.

Thanks Barry! That is a ver generous offer that I may take you up on. I have some new switches coming with Chrome bezels from John at JPS and I found a place on Samba.com that makes vintage knobs as well so I'm still doing some "planning" for now. I'll get back to you on the knob offer - thanks again!

Get your spare Knobs and mail them to me. It takes about 20 mins each, to cut them down like the porsche or vw ones. Drop me a email. and I will send you a mailing address. specify 57 porsche or 66 vw and how many you need. I try to dupicate the little groves like the 66 vw have but smaller ,the porsche type are simple.

Check your knob color Vendor are notorious about miss matching Ivory for Tan or white.

I need to be sure I make what you need. If you will just cover the return mail. I'll do um for free. That way If they are not perfect which is unlikey. you wont be mad. If I do mess one up I will replace it. but if you want to get a spare. I,ll do it to and you'll havea better chance at perfect parts.