Technical No room for floor type dimmer switch. What did you do to have a switch in a handy spot?

Ohhhh...I did miss that!
Seems like similar relays might be fairly common on new cars then...and it would be easy enough to check for a stalk that always stays centered as opposed to clicking forward or back to change the lights up or down. There are a number of late model Vdubs at the local "partsUpick" along with lots of Asian cars.
If theres nothing there the early bug part will be an easy order.

That additional info really helps out! Thanks!!!

 

Hurst makes a couple shift knobs with mini switches in them for line locks. wonder if you could use one of those for a high beam switch instead?

 

I should have correctly named these relays; the technical name is 'latching' relays, not ratcheting. I suggested the VW relay because this one is easily available in the aftermarket for a reasonable price, but that's not your only choice. These type relays were common on a lot of European cars in through the 60s and up, but most of them won't be so easy to find these days. Jaguar used this type relay from the 70s up through the early 90s if you want to go boneyard hunting. Most any import car that used a 'pull to change' (pull once, low beam; pull again high, pull again back to low, etc) dimmer will have one, although finding it on the car may prove to be a challenge. You can even get new 'generic' ones; McMaster-Carr has one for about $35 (part # 1358T13) but it's 10 amp rating is a bit light for a headlight circuit, although it's double-pole so you could switch each side separately. There's others out there (but don't expect them to be cheap), just look for one with a 12V coil and that's double-throw (2T). Be sure and check the amp rating.

Late-model cars with 'turn stalk' dimmers mostly won't have these relays. If the stalk must be pushed and pulled to change the lights, it won't use a latching relay. Most of these have three position levers; center is low beam, push for high beam, and a spring-loaded 'pull' position to flash the high beams for passing. Some GM columns used a 'pull to change' dimmer, but these use a ratcheting mechanical switch and have an actual linkage between the lever and the switch.

And yes, a Hurst T-handle shift knob with a line-lock button will work to switch the relay.

 

If the VW latching relay is correctly wired, you also get the "flash to pass" feature when the lights are not turned on.

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