Mystery device near alternator

[SteveBoilard]

Greetings! 

I'm the new owner of a 1963 Avanti (though I'm a long-time owner of Hawks and Larks). I'm going through the Avanti, changing fluids and generally just familiarizing myself with it.

I'm perplexed by a silver, cylindrical device that's mounted in the engine bay down under the alternator. It has wires running to it, and a fluid line (which may be oil or transmission; I have not yet been able to trace it). There's also an (evidently aftermarket) toggle switch on the dash that seems to energize the mysterious cylinder. It just kind of buzzes when the toggle is thrown. I've attached a photo of the device; photo is taken from under the car. Note the red logo. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I assume it's NOT original to the car. I can't see any reference to it in the workshop manual.

Thanks for any information you can provide!

Steve

 

[SteveBoilard]

Also, it’s the original R1 engine.