That bent thing goes into that hole in the front of the base and is your knee controller. I have a machine very similar to that but in a cabinet. Go to singersewingmachine.com to date it. There should be a stamped number on the base of the machine in front where you can see it. That is your serial #. I just priced getting my mother's machine fixed. Looks like it is going to cost almost $100 to get a new motor for it but I think I am going to do it anyway.