If I remember correctly I did have a locking gas cap that did break while mounted.

I really think it's part of a locking gas cap. Probably something cheap from the '70s or '80s that easily broke and parts fell in. I'll see if I have any old locking gas caps around with similar parts.

Chuck

Those '70's caps were not ''cheap'' , the new ones are . If those pieces really are cap parts, where's the round housing , springs , and other stuff ?

I wish they still made the better quality stuff nowadays .

Just went back to the tank and peered inside with a flashlight and did some more shaking...those two pieces were the only ones in there...and, I discovered that they don't seem to be magnetic. Hmmm....could they be aluminum?

I still think it's the moving parts of a locking gas cap. Google some pictures of locking gas caps and you'll see what I mean.

Chuck

Just went back to the tank and peered inside with a flashlight and did some more shaking...those two pieces were the only ones in there...and, I discovered that they don't seem to be magnetic. Hmmm....could they be aluminum?

Could they be sacrificial Zinc? Like a boat motor??

Maybe pot metal?

Chuck

Maybe pot metal?

Chuck

Feels like pot metal...could be...and it's very light. I was thinking some kind of anti-corrosion thing at first, too, but the pieces are very specifically shaped and it seems they must have some purpose. I would guess the gas cap thing is the most likely...but jeez...knowing that they have been found in other tanks?

And, I talked to the last owner, who owned the car for 37 years, and he says he didn't know it to have a locking gas cap--and the cap does seem as "original" as the rest of the car.

Stumped!