Mystery part ID 1975 L48

[Garry Barnes]

This is a photo of a 31K mile 75 convertible that I am looking at. What is the mystery cannister (round, half plated and half black) sitting just in front of the ignition shielding on the drivers side? It appears to be part of a fluid vacuum system because all of the hoses that are gathered together with this one seem to be part of the washer system. I have not seen this car in person yet and the owner doesn't know what it is either. Any ideas? Have never seen one. Maybe an add on? Thanks.
Garry




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[Terry M.]

Re: Mystery part ID 1975 L48

It looks like a cruise control actuator to me. I don't know if CC was an option on 1975 -- others will. Sure looks like a nice engine compartment.

[Jack H.]

Speed Control, K30, First Offered in '77... *NM*

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Speed Control, K30, First Offered in '77...

I haven't seen this engine in person yet so I can't quite tell where the cables lead, but if you look closely it does look as though it leads to the carb linkage making Jacks assumption most likely correct. Jack is usually dead on. Question, what would the rubber hose hooked to the rear of this thing be for? In other words, how does it work?
Garry

[Robert S.]

Re: Speed Control, K30, First Offered in '77...

The canister is for the cruise control. In simple terms the line at the rear is a vacuum line used to hold the throttle open to maintain a constant speed as the engine load and vacuum changes it increase or decreases the amount the throttle is opened.

[Robert S.]

Re: Speed Control, K30, First Offered in '77...

No more thought, you have what looks like a very nice original air cleaner sticker. The repo are not very good or correct if you plan to restore this car I'd suggest you try and save the stick. JMHO

[Joe L.]

Re: Mystery part ID 1975 L48

Garry-----

I think that this is an aftermarket-type cruise control. These have been available for years. Sources like J. C. Whitney are famous for this kind of thing. This one looks like it might have been professionally installed. I would think that there would be some device added to the interior of the car to set the cruise control.

As Jack mentioned, cruise control was not an available option until 1977. And, when it became available, it didn't look like this.

[Joel A.]

Re: Mystery part ID 1975 L48

It's possible it has been scavenged from a later car and installed on this '75. It looks like a factory set-up...nice and clean install regardless!
Most "aftermarket" cc had a magnet you clamped to the driveshaft(with hose clamps!), and a sensor that had to be mounted close to it to "read" the road speed.
If this car has the transducer with the speedo cable going to/from it mounted there on the driverside fenderwell, it is probably an "upgrade", maybe done at a dealership?