What's this piece on the firewall for? '70 GTX

Hello.

My buddy bought this 1 of 14 fj6 '4 gear GTX and as we were looking at it Sunday, this piece on the firewall was asked about.

Is it something added by a previous owner or was it a factory piece?
Clicking on the attachment shows it a little better.

Thanks.

Not factory.

You'd a thought as nice a car as it is, the PO would have did a better job placing it there. For whatever reason.

It's a way nice ride.