I don't know for sure....BUT age of car equals a strong and distinct possibility. Just bc it's spit shined and pretty on the outside doesn't mean the same on the inside. After five or six decades if it's all original I bet there's stiff insulation that will crumble and/or crack in your hands...
Old decrepid wiring insulation becomes brittle over time from repeated hot/cold cycles...cracks happen, then fraying may occur.....bare wire touches metal, causes sparks.
Fire red Oldsmobile.
Amen to that. I've had A,B,E & C body cars. Drove all them everyday - whenever I could (except 4 snow days). Savored every moment on the highway, road, dirt path, whatever. Great memories that are still being made to this day.
Meh. No love lost on GM cars in this corner. That said I wouldn't want to see anyone die or get hurt over a bad ammeter (which is why I bi-passed mine...ala MAD).
Oldie, but goodie. I had one of these years after it was fírst introduced (mid to late 2000's???). Thought it was kinda cool (I like mech things). Compared now to my Pixel 4 XL......well, stone age tool, lol.