What is this thing?
 

I'm updating my stock shifter boot and handbrake boot with leather. I noticed that just above the a/c fan switch on the center console, there appears to be a microphone. If I turn it counter-clockwise and pull on it, out comes the (microphone?). On it, it has "run" and "stop". The wire that it attaches to is spring loaded so it winds itself back up whenever you let go. It looks factory so what is it? And please, no Mr. Microphone jokes!;)

I have been looking for the reference to this among my piles of magazines and books but no luck. If memory serves me, the microphone was part of a factory option which included a tape recorder. Just the thing for the busy executive don't you know? I suspect the original sound system bits have already been swapped out.
Les

Old E,
in 1986 I had a gold 1977 930 coupe special ordered by a dentist in tulsa with no sunrood, right hand mirrow and the same blaupunkt recording equipment you mentioned. would still like to find that car, has anybody seen?
keith

Thanks Les. Very interesting. Yes, all of the original sound equipment is indeed gone.

Yes, there were recording Blaupunkts as far as I can remember, and they did have some type of microphone option...

-Wayne

Found it:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/microphone.jpg

Very interesting!

-Wayne

Cool! Any chance of pics?