Vin question and a 'What is this?' question

I didn't want to muddy up the vin sticky thread so here it is:

So it probably sat in some dealers lot until 71.

Was the original vin tag an aluminum Willys tag screwed to the firewall, or was it the sticker on the driver side door post.?
There are four screws holding nothing on the firewall and what is that there thing with what looks like a broken light bulb sticking out the top?

 

have no idea what the "thing" is...
but the VIN plate would have been where the four screws are

 

I think the build date was on the door. Neither of mine have them. No idea on "thingie".

 

likely sat on the dealer's lot until the 71's hit the floor. many were titled with the year they were sold, not built.

the vin tag would have been on the firewall. the build date sticker in the driver's door jamb. they both had the vin on them

 

Yeah build date in driver door jamb. (see photo) Vin plate where screw holes are. Light bulb thingee????? Neither one of my commandos have them either.

 

Idea on the "Light Bulb Thingee"... some one wire alternator conversion instructions I have read include a 12v bulb in the setup to allow you to shut the ignition down. don't remember exact details right now but something about resistance in the line feeding the exciter field. if it wasn't present, the ignition would get current through that line and continue to run after the key was shut off.