Inspection Lamp

[ROOK1]

The inspection lamp receptacle under the dash on the drivers side. What is it for?

[rlux4]

I hope Ace chimes in here. He not only knows what it's for, he has the correct set up for it. It's a plug in light on a cord. For inspecting in the dark I guess.
Ron

[ventura ace]

Fiat offered an inspection lamp kit that could only be purchased from the dealer as an accessory, if I'm not mistaken. I don't think it was ever included with the car, such as a jack, a spare tire, or a tool kit. They seem to be somewhat rare -- I've only seen one. The receptacle under the driver's side dash is shown and identified in the owner's manuals, but the manuals don't show a picture of the inspection lamp.

Here's a few pics of the inspection lamp, as packaged in its own neat little cannister:






The inspection lamp had a special connector to fit the receptacle, and about 15' of cable so that you could light up just about anywhere around or underneath the car. The receptacle was different before mid '70 and after mid '70. This inspection lamp was an older one, and fit the earlier receptacle, as shown in these pictures:





My '70 spider was mfd in May, and has all the mid-year '70 changes, including the different recptacle. A machinist helped me make an adapter to fit the later receptacle, as shown in these pictures:







A special thanks to Dwight Varnes for making this item available to me. I credit Dwight for inpiring me to restore my spider to the shape it's in now. It was pictures I saw of Dwight's car way back when that got me started, so it was a real surprise and honor to receive this item in the mail from Dwight last year, as a gift!

[ROOK1]

Thanks Alvon. I now have a new quest for the car.

[RRoller123]

That is very cool! I bought a socket just to have the wiring be somewhat original, but have no light to plug into it. I agree that a small coleman propane lantern might make more sense, except for keeping bottle of propane in the trunk.....

[reidyyz]

Just resurrecting this thread because I was wondering if anyone had the part number, sae standard for this socket? Or is it a one off just from Fiat.

Thanks

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Henry, I suspect it's just a one-off design by Fiat. I've played around with electronics quite a bit (another hobby), and I've never run across a socket like this. The violet wires to this socket have +12V on them at all times, so if you're ingenious, you could rig up a pushbutton light switch with a 12V bulb. Of course, that would only illuminate the footwell, so if you wanted something with a long cord, you'd need a different solution.

My solution was always just to keep a flashlight in the glovebox.

-Bryan

[reidyyz]

Thanks, that's what I figured. I'll either find another 12v receptacle/plug (marine/aircraft) system and wire up my own light, or repurpose the wires to my disused "slow down" light. On a timer. To mess with my boys if they use the car one day.
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Because that's why I had kids.

[AlexD]

Here’s another option….

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XJ ... 6134&psc=1

Inspired by Jesse Fite’s restoration series here: (covered around the 6:00 mark). https://youtu.be/E7u6SghGOLs

[reidyyz]

That's a great idea. Thanks.

[BwBrown]

It might just be a European thing... I have several MGTD's (and parts of incomplete MGTD's) and one coveted accessory for them is an inspection lamp. They are 12vdc and are powered by a pair of banana plugs right in the middle of the dash board.

They are cumbersome, dim lights on a wire that are best used as a display item at the local "Cars and Coffee. The "flashlight" on my cell phone is magnitudes brighter. But I guess not many people had cell phones 6 decades ago?

[reidyyz]

**Update**

I've decided to go the route of the DIN Hella/BMW motorcycle USB plug and cable. Since I'm redoing the wooden panels on my dash and removing some deactivated lights, I am mounting the USB plug on my lower center console between the 'seat belts' and 'slow down' lights. Yes, I'm keeping the 'slow down' just because it's different.

As the cold sets in, and still working in Gods garage (outside), days on the car are far and few between.