This Ring was in my old parts box, I fount it to be a 1977 Corvette Horn ring, I could not find another one like it.
With a little research, comes to be a recalled part, # GM 458908.
Thinking it was rare I put it for sale in "fleebay", it has been on there for about 5 days with no action.
So I am forced to believe it is nothing special. Oh, well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/77-1977-C3-C...sories&vxp=mtr

 

Believe that was pulled because it would reflect the sun into the drivers eyes.

Tom...

 

True Tom, It was said that this also was an option for 1977 Corvettes.
It is hard to imagine sun reflection was the reason, but I could not find any more information about the recall.
Jay.

 

Yep, the sun is why it was recalled. Luckily I still have mine as the prior owner never took it in. The horn button (which is what you have) is less rare then the telescoping locking ring, which was also a part of the recall.

 

I have always heard that they were rare. I eBayed a bunch of stuff that I had left over from my 71 last month and got very little for it. This month I see a bunch of the stuff that I sold back up on eBay.

 

They are rare, and pretty hard to come by, but you still have to find someone that needs and wants one, to sell it.

I don't believe that story that they were recalled because they were to shiny, is quite correct. Federal law prohibits the amount and location, of shiny surfaces allowed in automotive interiors. I think that it was determined that the horn button didn't conform to the Federal standards, and was recalled for that reason.

 

I bought a new 77 and it had the brushed horn button. They were changed mid year to interior color. There were no recalls for the brushed. Common rumor of the time was the reflection was an issue, but I think the reality of it the painted pot metal was cheaper to produce.

 

The caps absolutely were recalled!

As I said in my post, it was because they did not conform to the Federal regs for reflective interior surfaces.

Below is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1977 recall.




Make: CHEVROLET Model: CORVETTE
Model Year: 1977

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Mfr's Report Date: JUL 25, 1977
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 77V115000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: COMMUNICATIONS:HORN ASSEMBLY

Potential Number of Units Affected: 15484

Summary:
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUBS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 107, "REFLECTING SURFACES". THE HORN BUTTON CAP AND THE LOCK LEVER HAVE A BRUSHED CHROME FINISH. THE SURFACE REFLECTIVITY OF THIS FINISH ON SOME OF THESE HORN BUTTON CAPS AND LOCK LEVERS IS APPROXIMATELY TWICE THE MAXIMUM REFLECTIVITY ALLOWED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence:

Remedy:
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CAP AND LEVER WITH PARTS PAINTED TO MATCH THE INTERIOR TRIM COLOR AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TILT TELESCOPING STEERINGASSEMBLY.SYSTEM: STEERING; STEERING WHEEL CENTER HUB.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT TAKE STEPS TO ALLEVIATE THEDISTRACTION OF LIGHT REFLECTING OFF THE STEERING WHEEL HUB, THIS COULD LEAD TOAN ACCIDENT.

DISCLAIMER: While Corvsport.com makes every effort to ensure that this information is complete and accurate, you should always consult the manufacturer of your vehicle for complete recall and defects information.

 

Odd, never got the recall for mine. Weird. I stand corrected!

 

Just because something is rare doesn't necessarily mean there is a great demand for it. You ever hear anybody bragging about owning a "rare" 1980 California "vette, with the 305 engine? Didn't think so.

That ring may be worth a pretty penny to the right person, but it may take awhile to find him.


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott

 

You are all so correct my friend. Rare and demand are two different words.

 

People were paying around 100 bucks for perfect complete ones when the economy was booming.

 

So true, no booming now.
Though I do see C3 Corvette pricing has climbed here in AZ, especially the soft bumper C3, I truly think these cars are so much advanced from the steel bumper cars, even so the suspension was the same, they just seem quieter and smoother than a my 71.

 

that was the exact reason. it was too reflective

 

I am the guy who would like the stainless ring if you still have it...