I have a '38 whose heater switch was broken when I got it. I watched for original/original style '38 switches on ebay for some time. I wanted a matching set for the heater, defroster, and fog lights but have never seen any worth purchasing. Since I am not building a "show car", I decided to go with the later toggle type switches as I already had one for the defroster. That switch is dark brown with a white toggle. I found one for the fog lights but it had a brown toggle. Since there appear to be more available with brown toggles, I bought it with the idea I would try to find heater and defroster switches with brown toggles. However, I discovered there are at least two shades of brown switches with dark brown toggles. This color variation is not obvious when looking at a switch on ebay. Can anyone tell me how many different shades of brown these switches come in? If I knew this perhaps I could make a more informed buy next time I see what appears to be a good one for the heater and defroster that matches my fog light one.

The switches were colored keyed to the dash trim colors....That would be one for 1940.one for 1941,one for 1942 .These were all in light to medium colors.In 1946-48 they used darker brown switch body.Some had the dark toggle and some light,can't help there at this time.There was an underseat heater offered in 1949 - but very rare.They used the switch with the dark toggle.The for light switch for 1949-50 matched.Should have been gray in 1950 to match.The latest switch was always sold as the replacement to further confuse things...in other words if you purchased a new switch in 1947 fir your 1941 it would be the 1947 color.The advanced design trucks also used a switch but the word AIR was on the toggle.

Did I confuse you farther?

There are 52 shades of white so I would the same would be for every other colour in the rainbow and toggle switches. Try and get all swithches from the same supplier then you can compare the colour before purchase.
Tony

:p Thanks for the info. Gene, I almost just emailed you direct on this but thought the info you would probably supply would be useful to others. No, your info is not confusing - it helps a lot, as usual!! Tony, I have two switches from the same manufacturer and the bodies are different shades of brown (see Gene's answer on this). I guess I would be better off just watching flea markets for switches because then I could compare with switches in hand. Thanks for the replies. Stuart

The switches were also available as an after market item which adds more color to the mix.They were made by more than one supplier and if you look closely some have a toggle that is wide all the way into the housing and on some the toggle narrows down where it enters the housing.At one time they were even sold thru Sears-Roebuck as well as other parts stores.One of the suppliers was Arc-less (spelling) and sold under their name.

There are some of these toggle switches, as well as other types, on ebay as we speak which are Ark-les switches. So many toggles it boggles the mind!!

The used one looks like a 1947-48 color switch.

Beamer
I meant get all switches at the same time but I have a bad habit of not explaining myself fully.
Gene's posts would mean that would be rather difficult.
Tony