Technical mysterious thing in my engine bay

No, just to get the secret ingredients for the JackHamber sammich

 

Hamb sammich?

Thanks guys, now you got me missing Denise and her cookies.

 

No, but a HAMB Alliance Sandwich, added to your diet, will provide 100% of your daily requirement of (old) iron.

 

Lucas was discovered to be the true 'Prince of Darkness'. Happened 'way back around '58.
I was laughing at a Jag dealership in San Jose...mentioned Lucas, Prince of Darkness. The heavy-brogued Limey behind the counter got all wrinkled up, said "Some 'Yanks' started that, and if they knew anything, they'd know the Lucas system is superior!"
I thanked him. I told him I was 'enlightened'.

 

This Says it all.....

 

I've worked on many Btitish cars....and I will attest to the smoke. When they went to more Bosch stuff in the 80s things got much better.

Vintage English cars reliable? Ask anyone and the answer will be the same.....NO! But they are beautiful and fun!

 

I learned today it is an ammeter shunt

 

A gentleman does not motor about after dark.
Joseph Lucas (1842 - 1903)

Cheers,
Harv

 

@miky2001 mentions the 'Ammeter shunt'. My shop sometimes was 'graced' by unusual cars, sometimes 'daily drivers' of hot rod customers, or referred.
Most surprising were the 3 (three) Panteras with the same problem: Burned ammeters, disabling the car.
New ammeters AND shunts were then installed.

Imagine an ad: "12 volt Ammeters: Automobiles' worst safety fuse. If you don't like it, shunt up."

 

I really thought we were going to see this!

 

You know, if you disguised your battery cables to look like this, you'd never have to worry about getting your battery stolen.

 

After careful research and consulting my Buddy he said it is a Ginnifren Rod.

 

Why do the British drink warm beer? They have Lucas refrigerators.

 

I was wondering about the heavy gage wires apparently going to that thing in the OP picture.

I'm guessing using a shunt means seriously heavy wires don't have to go into the interior to the gage.

 

All Lucas electricals are fitted with the standard Lucas 3-position switch - OFF, DIM and FLICKER.

Cheers,
Harv

 

Ballet resistor .....
Shunt