Gas tank vent question

58 buick with stock gas tank. Tank has a steel vent tube approximately 4" long running from the top rear of the tank towards the front of the car. Attached to that tube is a crusty 55 year old chunk of fuel line about 3" long that goes nowhere. Q's...Where would this vent line have been run from the factory? Would it have had a valve/filter or some other device on the end to keep the fuel in and dirt, etc, out? Since it has a vented gas cap is there still a need for that vent line? Thanks

 

Buick guys? would guess that do not need vented cap.

 

The vent tube makes it easier for the tank to expell air when filling the tank, without it the filler nozzle would keep clicking off. Normally the hose from the tank is joined to the top of the filler neck.

 

Maybe like 57 Chevy. It goes back into the tank near the filler pipe.