Later Model C3 Center Consoles
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Lake Charles LA
Later Model C3 Center Consoles
I am on my 5th C3 - from 74 to 81 (3 79s). I have always disliked the el-cheapo plastic center console plate (at the shifter). I think that GM could have done a lot better job with it and it is less than complimentary to an otherwise nice interior. I really wish there was a better option. I figure some of you probably feel the same and some may have figured out a way to dress them up a little. I know they have the wood applique kits and I guess that is what I may end up going with, but wonder if anyone else has had different solutions. Please post pics of anything different that you have done. Just looking for ideas.
Last edited by beige79; Jan 1, 2011 at 02:27 PM.
Instructor
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if I can offer a suggestion, I have the wood applique stuff on my 78 center console and it looks absolutely horrible. it sticks up and warps after a while and ruins the look. and there is no pther wood in the car so it looks slightly out of place. just food for thought maybe if someone makes an entire interior wood grain kit?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
Likes: 6
From: Lake Charles LA
if I can offer a suggestion, I have the wood applique stuff on my 78 center console and it looks absolutely horrible. it sticks up and warps after a while and ruins the look. and there is no pther wood in the car so it looks slightly out of place. just food for thought maybe if someone makes an entire interior wood grain kit?
Last edited by beige79; Jan 2, 2011 at 07:56 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
if I can offer a suggestion, I have the wood applique stuff on my 78 center console and it looks absolutely horrible. it sticks up and warps after a while and ruins the look. and there is no pther wood in the car so it looks slightly out of place. just food for thought maybe if someone makes an entire interior wood grain kit?
eventually they look really cheap and misplaced
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
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From: Lake Charles LA
That looks pretty nice with that color interior and your other trim. I have Doeskin and it might not look as good as that in mine. Of course, it doesn't look that great now. 
Maybe painting is what it really needs though. At least that might make it look better than the plastic finish that is on it now.
You have an earlier 70s model. That plate is made of metal, right? Trying to remember my 74 and I am thinking it was metal. On the 79, it is el-cheapo plastic. I don't think powdercoat would work out that well - especially the heating part of the process.
Maybe painting is what it really needs though. At least that might make it look better than the plastic finish that is on it now.You have an earlier 70s model. That plate is made of metal, right? Trying to remember my 74 and I am thinking it was metal. On the 79, it is el-cheapo plastic. I don't think powdercoat would work out that well - especially the heating part of the process.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
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From: Antioch IL
I had the wood applique on my vette when i bought it. I could not stand it. So when i took it off i repainted it black but it looked to cheap. so I bought some vinyl film that simulates Carbon Fiber. It looks better and looks more modern.
I will take a pic of the console and the instrument cluster tonight when i get home. as well as a better picture of the speedo and tach.
I will take a pic of the console and the instrument cluster tonight when i get home. as well as a better picture of the speedo and tach.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 32
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From: chippawa ontario
Not my car.
Wish it was though. That was a phenominal restomod.
Im leaning towards doing the same style console though. The silver really pops. I may give it a try just to see how it looks with the saddle interior. Can always change it back.
Cheers.
Wish it was though. That was a phenominal restomod.
Im leaning towards doing the same style console though. The silver really pops. I may give it a try just to see how it looks with the saddle interior. Can always change it back.
Cheers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
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From: Lake Charles LA
I had the wood applique on my vette when i bought it. I could not stand it. So when i took it off i repainted it black but it looked to cheap. so I bought some vinyl film that simulates Carbon Fiber. It looks better and looks more modern.
I will take a pic of the console and the instrument cluster tonight when i get home. as well as a better picture of the speedo and tach.
I will take a pic of the console and the instrument cluster tonight when i get home. as well as a better picture of the speedo and tach.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
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From: Lake Charles LA
I want to keep mine fairly stock - with the exception of trying to correct some obvious shortcomings in design. I have always disliked that floor console plate. The cluster bezel and speedo / tach bezel are not quite as bad, but would be nice to find some sort of modest mod to make them look better. Glad to get input from others.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Columbus MN
One of our sons is a CNC machinist with access to lots of fancy machines. He has made some nice custom parts for guys in our car club. I am sure he could make a nice aluminum or stainless steel console if he had a pattern or parts to copy. Any patterns or donor parts out there?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
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From: Lake Charles LA
One of our sons is a CNC machinist with access to lots of fancy machines. He has made some nice custom parts for guys in our car club. I am sure he could make a nice aluminum or stainless steel console if he had a pattern or parts to copy. Any patterns or donor parts out there?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 233
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From: Lake Charles LA
This looks interesting. Similar to the woodgrain kits, but this one is a simulated carbon fiber (sample at bottom right). Having sat in my good friend's brand new Z06 yesterday, this might be as close as I can get to that experience with my car. 
The kit is the same as what "dmeesq" has posted pics of and the kit looks to be better quality that the other applique kits I have seen. This is his car from a posting he made a couple of weeks ago in another thread (hope he doesn't mind me bumming his pic). Anyway, I am considering trying the carbon fiber version, which might look better than the woodgrain in my interior.
The kit is the same as what "dmeesq" has posted pics of and the kit looks to be better quality that the other applique kits I have seen. This is his car from a posting he made a couple of weeks ago in another thread (hope he doesn't mind me bumming his pic). Anyway, I am considering trying the carbon fiber version, which might look better than the woodgrain in my interior.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,300
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From: Quincy IL
I've often thought about this same issue. I'm not a fan of the fake woodgrain, and I'm just not sold on the carbon fiber either. I wonder how long the carbon-fiber will be the "in" thing to do before it looks outdate. Honestly the cleanest - timeless look that I have seen were painted black.