What is this thing?

[Kenster]

I was reaching under the dash to floor section of my console to check the antennae cable and pulled this thing out. The wires go down through the console, like under the Gear selector. Would this be the light for the gear selection indicator? It looks like they cut the panel it attaches to, leaving an L shape.
How would I reattach it, if this is what I think it is?

[sixtysevenGTconv]

light for little storage compartment on front of console under radio.

[stephanorf]

You must not have an air conditioner in your car. It looks like the light for the console stowage compartment - only the long console have them.

The shift indicator light just clips onto the shift arm. There isn't any fiberglass or anything else attached to it.

[Kenster]

Correct. No A/C. Long console. That makes sense since I found the thing in the 'garage.' but thought it might have been just laid there by PO.

What switches the light on? Would it come on with all the courtesy lights when the door is opened or with the headlight switch?

[22GT]

IIRC, the light operates with the instrument lights.

[sixtysevenGTconv]

Originally Posted by 22GT

IIRC, the light operates with the instrument lights.

The light operates with dome light or under dash courtesy lights. Also same connection as the light at back end of console. Open doors, lights come on. Or rotate h/l switch to turn on.

[Z65]

Actually, the light can be switched on in one of two different ways depending on when the car was made...

64 1/2 and early 65's had the light mounted in a slot on the plastic back panel (metal bulb holder). Late 65 and 66 had the light mounted on the top (plastic lens). The later style had a switch incorporated in the panel door that would trigger the light. The earlier setup was simply wired to the interior lights so would only work when either the doors or interior lights switched on via headlight switch.

The console wiring harnesses are different as well for the record. The one sold at some of the more well known parts houses is the for the later style.

By the looks of that light, it's from the late 65, early 66 vintage.

[22GT]

Yeah, well, the one in the photo is a 67-68 console box lamp. The piece of plastic is the hacked-up back wall of the box.

[Kenster]

Originally Posted by 22GT

Yeah, well, the one in the photo is a 67-68 console box lamp. The piece of plastic is the hacked-up back wall of the box.

Yes, my car is a 1968 'vert. Came with Deluxe interior. The car is about 98% as stated in its Marti report so I'm sure this light is original to this console.
The only things different from the Marti is that they didn't reconnect the left side mirror remote when installing new door panels during restoration, and the car came with rear glass window but now has the clear vinyl window. I don't know if the whole top has been changed or just the window.

Wonder what the PO was doing that necessitated hacking up the back wall of the box?