On 2014-04-09, 4:41 AM, TOM WALKER -> HOLGER GRANHOLM wrote:   
      
    TW>>> Some GM cars of that era had the starter button sticking thru the   
    TW>>> fire wall just above the gas pedal.   
      
    HG>> Often that was a mechanical actuator going direct to the starter motor   
    HG>> instead of an electrical switch supplying power to a solenoid on the   
    HG>> motor. Dunno if that was the case on GM cars though.   
      
    TW> As I recall it was.   
    TW> ---   
   My parents' 1950 Ford had a starter motor switch. I remember as a young child,   
   my brother and I were left in the car while my parents did a quick errand - I   
   started pushing the switch; each time, the car jerked and moved a few inches.   
   When my parents returned, they were surprised to see the car several feet from   
   where they had left it.   
      
   Much later (mid 1970s), I owned a 1967 Dodge van, which had the engine in a   
   compartment between the driver and passenger seat. There was a solenoid that   
   turned on the starter motor - these often burned out, but the starter motor   
   could be engaged by holding a screwdriver between two terminal posts -   
   relatively easy because the motor was inside the cabin.   
      
   After replacing the solenoid several times, I decided not to bother and   
   installed a switch on the dash that - when pressed, shorted across the   
   terminals. Back to the 1950s!   
      
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