A what is it question

[CTLeonard]

The local VFW regained possession of a T that was original to the little town. One thing that sticks out is the hole in the cowl . Sure looks to be a factory looking hole. Anyone know what it is? Thank you

[DanTreace]

With a matching hole on the passenger side, would think someone added electric cowl lamp that had single post, like early Chevy.

Or could have used a later Model A style cowl lamp, those have a post with flange the might have made that impression in the sheet metal.

IMG_6224.jpg (17.19 KiB) Viewed 2352 times

This fancy runabout had lots of extra lamps, one on the fender, one on the cowl and even the dressy 'lantern' on the running board!

dressed up runabout.jpg (49.5 KiB) Viewed 2352 times

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

For a spare tire carrier?

[Norman Kling]

That whole cowl is not original. It should be flat from the hood to the door.
Norm

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

That whole cowl is not original. It should be flat from the hood to the door.
Norm

I think the question is about more than strictly the hole. I think the OP is wondering also about the formed area around the hole. Other than that, this appears to be a stock cowl.

[Norman Kling]

Look at the first picture. The cowl between the hood and the door. Not just around the hole. That raised area to the left of the door looks similar to a 1928 or 1929 A. The whole panel from the hood to the door should be flat. See picture attached.

[RajoRacer]

You are correct Norm but it is a closed car cowl.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Look at the first picture. The cowl between the hood and the door. Not just around the hole. That raised area to the left of the door looks similar to a 1928 or 1929 A. The whole panel from the hood to the door should be flat. See picture attached.Rumble3.jpg

The car in question is a Sedan or Coupe. The car you pictured is a Roadster. Two totally different cowl shapes.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

If it just has the one hole, my guess would be that it was for a radio antennae.

[Norman Kling]

I didn't realize the second picture posted was of a different car. I guess I was wrong.
Norm

[signsup]

In my other hobby, military vehicles, we wonder till the cows come home what Bubba drilled that hole for. We may never know. If it's drivers side, my initial thought would be some sort of spot light. I would think most radio antennas get mounted on the passenger side, but it's Bubba's car, he can do with it what he wants.
I guess the consensus is that it is not factory. So, what for? The world wonders.

[Bryant]

Maybe since it is original to the town there is someone left that knows what was there or has pictures of it from the past.
Bryant

[Allan]

There were some bun type side lights with fixed mounting studs on the side rather than the usual rear studs. If there is a corresponding hole on the other side, they could be sidelight mounting holes. The indentation is such that it would aim the lights to the front. It would save the cost of the brackets, something of which Henry would approve.

Allan from down under.

[Norman Kling]

If the T has the original coils, the radio would not work. I have driven a modern car with an AM radio while the T was idling. The radio had static for about 200' from the house. Maybe if they had a distributor they could modify it with resisters or resistor plugs or something like the modern cars use.
Norm

[Mark Gregush]

Would think the VFW would have photos from the past showing the car in action or the local newspaper.