Other than the two slots on the non air plate is there any difference (size of openings etc..) in the air and non air '68 4-speed shift plate? In other words can I use the non air plate in an air car?

 

Im pretty sure its the same, other than the incorrect slots showing. Sometime in '69, I think, there was a changeover where there were 6 screw holes instead of 4.

 

I had bought a GM 68 4-spd. shifter plate over the dealer's counter. All were air with no slot holes and if you needed them, a note in the parts catalog said that you had to add them for a non-air car. This way they did not have to stock both types, and saved them money. Lou.

 

Thanks Vettebuyer and Lou.

 

There are only 4 attachment screws on my '71 shifter plate (A/C and auto trans).... ???

 

There are actually 18 different shift plate console castings, that were used between 68 and 76.

There are 4 different 68's, manual with and without air, and automatic with and without air. The difference in all of them is the slots for the fresh air vent levers, which are only cut into the no air consoles. The 68 is unique in that instead of the indent for the engine data plate, there is just a crossed flat emblem, at the bottom of the console. The 68 attaches with 4 screws, one each in the 4 outer corners of the console plate. All 68 shift consoles have provision for the fiber optic lens.

There are also 4 69 shift consoles, again 2 each of manual and auto trans, with and without air. Instead of the cross flags emblem, the 69 console plates, have an indent to accept the data plate. 69's all have the fiber optic lens, and the 4 mounting holes, are in the same location as on the 68.

70-71 shift plates also come in the same 4 variations of auto and manual, and air and no air, as the earlier plates. For 70-71, the two lower attaching holes, were no longer in the lower corners, but instead where each moved up about an inch, to a spot just above the data plate. This is the only difference between 69, and 70-71, shift plates.

The letters in the indicator lens of the 68-71 auto shift console plates, have a green tint to them.

72-76 4 speed shift plates, came in two versions, with and w/o air, and were the same as the 70-71 plates, except they no longer had provision for the fiber optic lens.

Finally, there are 4 different 72-76 automatic plates. Like the 72-76 4 speed plates, the 72-76 auto plates, no longer take the fiber optic lens. 72-76 auto plates still come in both air and no air versions, but the 75-76 auto shift plates also have 3 chromed ribs cast into them (next to the slot for the shifter), to indicate the 3 drive positions of the automatic trans. These three chrome ribs, are not on the 72-74 auto plates, or any of the other earlier ones either. The shift indicator lens of the 72-76 auto plates are white, not green like the earlier ones.

68 and 69 shift plates, are interchangeable with each other, as are all 70-76 plates. 68 & 69 plates, can not be used in 70-76 shift console tunnels, without modifying the attaching points for the 2 lower screws. The same is true of using 70-76 plates, in 68 & 69 tunnels.

 

Great info. Thanks for the detailed write up.

 

Easy Mike mentioned in a previous post that GM had a "hybrid" 69 over the counter replacement shifter bezel with 6 holes in it, to accommodate the 69 and later consoles. Lou.

 

Great info Glenn! Here's a shot of my 68 shift plate - car was built October 67. I have a no A/C car.

 

Found a better picture

 

I've heard that there were some 6 hole service replacement shift plates made, but never seen one. What doesn't make sense, is what you would do with the 2 unused holes. None of the shifter consoles that I've ever seen, have provision for 6 mounting screws, so it seems to me that you would end up with 2 unused holes, if you had a 6 hole console plate?

Hey Mike, the 68's looking good. I didn't know if you were aware of it, but the Beach Bums show on LBI, is back on for this year. Most of the members have recovered from Sandy, and they were able to get enough people active again, to bring the show back. The date is June 1st, at Bay Village in Beach Haven.

 

Thanks Glenn! Prior to the holidays Patrick and his dad did mention that the club was having meetings and was looking positive. Glad to hear they have made the commitment. I will be there and will definitely stop by and say hi - and look for more parts of course

 

GM did not care what it looked like with the two extra holes. It was a "one size fits all" solution for them, like the "hybrid'" front bumper guards that fit 68-72, but were not correct for any of them. Lou.

 

Sorry, I just can't believe that any 6-hole plates were made BY GM. They would not have spent the extra $.013 per hole to add the two 'extra' holes and chamfers. If there are any 6-hole plates in existence, I believe they would have to be an aftermarket part.

P.S. My thoughts are based on my 40 years 'experience' with them...not specific knowledge of that part.

 

What year are your door panels ? They look like 69.

Just curious

 

I've seen a pic of the six hole shifter plate. I can't recall where I saw it, but I suspect it was either Bizzoco or Dobbins. There was a blurb about it being the second design plate for 69.

I'll look for it this evening.

 

You are correct Phil. You will also notice that I have Z06 seats. My car is mostly a 68 Good eye.

 

The plate changes for 69 are in the Judging Guide (p. 17). Two additional holes were added about #32490 (2nd design) on each end of the FO lenses. The two bottom holes below the data plate were removed about #36927 (3rd design). Bizzoco shows all three in his book, page 52. Dobbins also shows the 2nd design if you hunt for it.

 

Yes! Thanks!

 

A "tried and rejected" set of changes that actually made it into final production.....rare indeed.