SwiftSword Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 This is a Boyce MotoMeter, a temperature gauge for your 1920s automobile. It sat atop the radiator as a useful hood ornament that told you when your coolant was about to boil over. Found in a trash dump in eastern Massachusetts. These were originally sold as aftermarket parts, but soon carmakers and dealers sold them installed, and had them customized with their logos. This one with the plane and radiator symbol would have been mounted on a 1920s Packard car or truck. Apparently they came in different sizes depending on the use. I don't yet know which one this is. These things are collectibles in their own right, though probably not in this state. The frame is pot metal and has corroded significantly. The wreaths that hold the crystals in place are German silver, or perhaps some other kind of nickel alloy. Saltwater and aluminum foil didn't do squat, but a good soak in vinegar water and a light scrubbing with steel wool and barkeeper's friend soon had them gleaming. This was bycatch from my most recent bottle dump adventure. It literally popped out of the ground as I was removing a glass jar, so my detector was not involved. I'm sure it would have sounded spectacular 😄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjk metal detecting Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Great Save. A nice piece to display. Some hunters would regard that as trash and scrap it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick N. MI Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 That's an incredible find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fogrider Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schoolofhardNox Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Awesome piece. That tarnished just like silver. Great unique find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCR Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 That's a great find. Shows how well they used to plate metal. Even the screwheads are embossed. What a contrast to the instant disposable plastic world we have now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F350Platinum Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Wow what a great restoration! Very cool find. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Bach Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Boy Howdy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strick Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Now thats a cool relic..have not seen one posted before...Thanks! strick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valens Legacy Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Gotta love those old car items, wish they would make a car original again with fewer electronics. Great save and great clean up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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