TR4/4A Hole in my firewall

[SpeedyG]

When I acquired my 1966 TR4A it had a large hole cut out in the firewall / passenger footwell area (picture attached).
It has four small holes around the outside of it like something was attached here at one time.
Does anyone have any idea what might have gone here?

Thanks for helping.
Ed

 

[gvtjones]

Wouldn;t two of those holes be for the body number plate? I'm pretty sure mine is in that area (albeit RH drive) - longish plate with 5 digits stamped on it (eg 12917) and riveted to the firewall in that area.

 

[NutmegCT]

Ed - take a look at this, from another TR4A. Looks like that's not usually cut out - maybe for an optional accessory?

 

[SpeedyG]

Wouldn;t two of those holes be for the body number plate? I'm pretty sure mine is in that area (albeit RH drive) - longish plate with 5 digits stamped on it (eg 12917) and riveted to the firewall in that area.

Yes the two holes on the top flat are for the number plate which is off while restoring the car. The hole I am referring to is the approximately 4" x 6" hole on front of the firewall. I'm sorry I posted the picture kind of at a funny angle.

 

[SpeedyG]

Ed - take a look at this, from another TR4A. Looks like that's not usually cut out - maybe for an optional accessory?

View attachment 95428

My guess was someone cut a whole in my firewall for some accessory too, just can't think of what it might be...?

 

[gvtjones]

But surely the big hole you mention is for the clutch/brake levers to protrude on a RHD car, linking up to the master cylinders which would mount on the horizontal platform of the firewall. Either someone previously took the blanking plate off for some reason or possibly yours has been converted from RHD - although why they wouldn't carry the blanking plate across is not clear?

Edit: Whoops - apologies, the brake/clutch levers emerge through the horizontal platform of the firewall directly to the master cylinders I've just looked at my (RHD) 1962 TR4 in Australia - it's got exactly the same blanking panel that NutmegCT posted! Bit of a mystery then!

 

[charleyf]

Maybe a radio speaker.
Definitely an owner created hole.
Charley

 

[mctriumph]

There was dealer installed AC and the lines could have well been routed here.Latter when the motor
was burned up it was abandoned for the bad idea it was.(not common but I have seen it)
Mad dog

 

[Popeye]

Or maybe someone got really frustrated when the hood latch failed .

Kidding - the cut out looks clean, including the four mounting holes, so it must have been on purpose. A/C, speaker both make sense.

There is one bolt visible in your picture, in one of the four holes. What is this currently holding?

 

[NutmegCT]

a-HA! Looks like a/c used that space for refrigerant hoses..

 

[SpeedyG]

a-HA! Looks like a/c used that space for refrigerant hoses..

View attachment 95437

 

[SpeedyG]

Bingo! It is a AZ car... There is no other remnants of an AC system but that sure could be it.
Thanks! I still have to wedge in that V8... Just kidding!

 

[SpeedyG]

Or maybe someone got really frustrated when the hood latch failed .

Kidding - the cut out looks clean, including the four mounting holes, so it must have been on purpose. A/C, speaker both make sense.

There is one bolt visible in your picture, in one of the four holes. What is this currently holding?

It's definitely convenient for a hood latch stuck problem. I will be making a blanking plate however.