SWB Question: Dash Knob Lighting (65-67 vs. 68)?

**mshaver51** · 02-22-2016, 10:48 AM

I hope I can state this question clearly...

Based on the literature I have reviewed, it appears that the 65-67 dash had solid knobs with tiny center lights, fed by an illuminating tube (that extended from the bulb to the surface of the knob). Only a little dot (from the illuminating tube) lit up, located in the center of the knob, when the lights were turned on.

Conversely, in '68, it appears that the knob was re-designed with a soft rubber outer ring, and the entire center was a picture that was lighted.

My question is whether the lighting for the knob was anything more than the bulb?

**NeunElf** · 02-22-2016, 11:29 AM

There are some photos of a '66 911 at Bring a Trailer (the auction closed recently) which show the illuminated switches:

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The center switch on this car has a big light for the emergency four-way flasher. My car doesn't have an emergency four-way flasher.

But, to your main question:

Originally Posted by mshaver51

My question is whether the lighting for the knob was anything more than the bulb?

I believe there's just that one little light bulb. What other source of illumination did you have in mind?

**mshaver51** · 02-22-2016, 12:02 PM

i couldn't figure out whether there was also a light filament/rod in the '68 knob. i think you are saying that the '68 knob has a soft rubber ring, with a plastic center insert that lights up (with a bulb behind it). in '68 all 3 of the dash knobs were like that.

as your photo shows, the others had a light filament with a colored tip (green, yellow or red, i think).

if the soft-rubber knobs ('68) had only a plastic insert with the light bulb behind, that's great. just trying to make sure that my homework is correct.

**JT912** · 02-22-2016, 12:51 PM

'68 knobs are illuminated in a similar fashion. There is no bulb directly beneath the plastic bezel.

**Fritz A. Ficke** · 02-22-2016, 02:20 PM

To be a little more accurate 65-68 knobs were the same with the exception of 1968 US cars, which got the US required safety rubber around the knob.
The knobs on my 68S, which was ordered by a individual (grey market) for the US, are identical to the earlier years. No rubber ring, illuminated the same as the earlier cars.

**mshaver51** · 02-23-2016, 05:25 AM

okay, mine is a US porsche 911, so that is the question.

what is the illumination?

**Fritz A. Ficke** · 02-23-2016, 06:35 AM

I believe it is just like John said, illuminated in the same fashion as the earlier knobs but with a rubber safety wrapped around the knob. There is no bulb in the knob.