Miriam, I love seeing the pictures of the kids using the machines! Glenn's photo's aren't working for me.
I had thought that maybe the light was robbed when the motor was robbed and the rear cover plate went missing when that was done. But you're right -- it could have had a hole drilled in it for the motor. I never thought of that! I looked for holes in the pillar and arm but couldn't see any. Or, they might have mounted it on the cabinet.
Rodney -- If they replaced the slide plate when the machine was electrified, I would have guessed the plate would be a plain one, without patent dates on it. I don't know when they switched to a plain plate, though. I'd have to research that. But the patina of the slide plate matches the patina on the needle plate. It looks original to me, but it could be an early replacement. Unfortunately I can't buy this machine. I already have a 66 HC and space is really limited. I agree the case is nice.
The the thing intrigues me most is the serial number date/slide plate mismatch of 2 or 3 allocation dates.