Stupid Question(s) of the Day

[Jbyerspe]

OK, on my 58 Cavalier I am discovering that most of it is original. There are a couple of things I have a doubt about however.

On the rear seatback, there is a hole about 5-6 inches in diameter just to the right of the center of the seatback. I know the seatback is original because it has the hull number stamped into the back of the plywood. Not that the hole could not have been added later, but it looks pretty professionally finished around the edges.

Any guesses as to what purpose that may have served?

The second thing is a fairly large light bulb socket that is wired in very near the battery beneath the front seat bottom. It's location corresponds to a hole drilled through the seat bottom just left of center of the seat bottom. I can't for the life of me figure out what the heck purpose this would serve.........

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[JimF]

I don't know what part of the country the boat was in but it could be they put the light on to protect the boat from freezing. People do this here in South Texas where the winters are mild and freezing temperatures are not common. It saves having to drain the engine if the boat is kept in the water. A very dangerous thing to do as fires have resulted. Not recommended!!!

[Jbyerspe]

Thanks Jim. It appears to have been in Atlanta from day one.

[jim g]

OK, on my 58 Cavalier I am discovering that most of it is original. There are a couple of things I have a doubt about however.

On the rear seatback, there is a hole about 5-6 inches in diameter just to the right of the center of the seatback. I know the seatback is original because it has the hull number stamped into the back of the plywood. Not that the hole could not have been added later, but it looks pretty professionally finished around the edges.

Any guesses as to what purpose that may have served?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

The hole in the seat back panel is original. Its there so you can access the fuel cutoff valve at the tank.

What model cavalier do you have? I've parted out a couple of these boats.

[Greg Wallace]

It sounds like the light socket may be near the drain plug access hole. Perhaps the previous owner wanted to be "illuminated" when checking/ installing drain plug.

[jnbailey71]

Are you sure that its a lightbulb socket? This could be an old connection for the end of a spotlight? I will post a picture of the original spotlight I have for my boat and the connection. This might help you determine if it would plug into that.

[jnbailey71]

[Jbyerspe]

Good guess, but it's much larger in diameter than that spot light plug is. It's corroded over pretty badly. I bet it was something someone added at a later time. Who knows what for.........

[Jbyerspe]

Thanks for your answer Jim about the hole in the back seat. I had missed your posting. I actually figured that one out on my own once I got a better look at it.