1981 replacement ashtray and console questions
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
1981 replacement ashtray and console questions
So Today I replaced my radio and center stack bezel. Now that the bezel is brand new, my console looks worst than it did before.
Doing research I see that the replacement ashtray doors don't come painted and don't fit well either. Seems like it might even take some sanding and grinding to fit.
since I have to paint either way, will the stock ashtray door fit better on the aftermarket replacement console than the aftermarket one?
I was worried the center stack bezel wouldn't fit corrrectly, but surprisingly it fit perfect.
Thanks
Doing research I see that the replacement ashtray doors don't come painted and don't fit well either. Seems like it might even take some sanding and grinding to fit.
since I have to paint either way, will the stock ashtray door fit better on the aftermarket replacement console than the aftermarket one?
I was worried the center stack bezel wouldn't fit corrrectly, but surprisingly it fit perfect.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Powdercoating the ash tray door is a good idea....but is likely more expensive than buying the door. I painted mine with Krylon semi-flat black paint 7 years ago, and it still looks like new.
If you use the ash tray a lot, powdercoating would be better. If not, save some money and just paint it.
If you use the ash tray a lot, powdercoating would be better. If not, save some money and just paint it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
My ash tray door was blasted, sealed and powdercoated for $12.50. Looks like new. Check around, powdercoating is the way to go. I have had so many items coated. If the metal if thick and realy heavy, most coaters will preheat the object also. On large items, i have 2 or 3 coats with heat cycles as well. For small items such as an ash tray door, one heat cycle is more than enough. Go for it. Al
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You NEED to have the nylon (side-strip) slides and some model years came with a clip that helped it keep tension and not slip around. Willcox sells the clips and knows what years they were used, I believe.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,510
Likes: 2,400
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I replaced the centre console bezel on my 82 with an aftermarket one and reused the ashtray door. I had some fitment issues with some minor binding at the halfway open point. Since I had no plans to ever use the ashtray, I did not make any mods to the ashtray door. I used black semi-gloss paint and it matched just fine.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
I don't use the ashtray but I do open it to use the outlet to power my cell phone.
I see NOS center consoles on ebay, I wonder if I should just buy one of those. only problem with them is you have to cut out the holes for all the switches.
I see NOS center consoles on ebay, I wonder if I should just buy one of those. only problem with them is you have to cut out the holes for all the switches.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,701
Likes: 1,023
From: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte NC Area)
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
FYI...Zip carries the replacement ashtray door in black...no painting needed. 
That's what I just used replacing the console in my 81. Perfect match to the replacement shifter console, color-wise.
Zip 77-82 Ash Tray Cover
Admittedly, as most have said, the fit is a little off, but not that bad when completely closed, and otherwise operates just as well as the original. It will completely close...just looks like it is ~1/16" too short in the front.
That's what I just used replacing the console in my 81. Perfect match to the replacement shifter console, color-wise. Zip 77-82 Ash Tray Cover
Admittedly, as most have said, the fit is a little off, but not that bad when completely closed, and otherwise operates just as well as the original. It will completely close...just looks like it is ~1/16" too short in the front.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
I had the same problem on my '78 and started filing the opening but I was able to fix the fit by slightly tweaking the arms of the ashtray door. I set the arms of the ashtray door flat on the counter (so the ashtray lid was perpendicular to the counter surface) and VERY lightly put a little pressure on them to bend them slightly. (Too slight to even notice while looking at it.) Then when I test-fitted the door, it fit perfectly.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 13
From: Jefferson City Missouri
console plate
I know that you already ordered your console but you can get them with the holes cut out for you from Corvette Central. My 81 has power windows, mirrors, and rear defroster. part # 233049. I also got the ashtray door, # 233019 and ashtray rivets and bushing # 234354 from them. I do have a slight bow in the shift plate between the ashtray and HVAC control that I do plan on trying to see if I can get out with some adjusting. Other than that the tray door looks good to me.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
my stock console is bowed the same way in the right top corner of the hvac controls as yours is.
I did order the console with the cutouts, It's the NOS ones that don't come pre-cut
I did order the console with the cutouts, It's the NOS ones that don't come pre-cut
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
i ended up using the aftermarket door from zips. the color was spot on. it is 1/8'' too shot like 7T1 said. but the stock door didn't look like it was too much of a better fit.
i also made a custom shift boot out of a CTS-V boot i had in the garage and i replace my custom made Hurst shift stick with a 5th gen Camaro shift stick. it came out awesome.
all in all everything looks 100 times better than it did. for the short money it cost, i should have replaced this stuff a while ago.
i'll take some pictures when it's sunny out again
i also made a custom shift boot out of a CTS-V boot i had in the garage and i replace my custom made Hurst shift stick with a 5th gen Camaro shift stick. it came out awesome.
all in all everything looks 100 times better than it did. for the short money it cost, i should have replaced this stuff a while ago.
i'll take some pictures when it's sunny out again
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
So here's some pics of the finished project. I'm a terrible photographer but the car looks 1000 times better.
I also got a set of stock radio ***** off a member here and modified them to fit the Alpine radio. I think it came out good.
Next project is new carpets.
I also got a set of stock radio ***** off a member here and modified them to fit the Alpine radio. I think it came out good.
Next project is new carpets.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,701
Likes: 1,023
From: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte NC Area)
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Came out nice...good work!
Out of curiosity, did you intentionally leave off the shift pattern plate to the right of the shifter?
Out of curiosity, did you intentionally leave off the shift pattern plate to the right of the shifter?