*** 1968 Corvette fiber optic bezel ***
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Thanks Mike -
and I am guessing the GM part # would be on the backside on a GM original(???) I have a plastic bezel but no part # so I would say it is a reproduction. It does has a "cheap chinese quality" look to it.
Last edited by bkvette3; Jan 6, 2014 at 11:09 AM.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
I've seen a few plastic originals and they are pretty cheap. I'll find out if there should be a part number or not. Get back to you soon..
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Saskatchewan, Canada
BK3
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
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From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Hello John - that would be awesome. When I first bought my '68 in 1993 - I removed the plastic bezel because I thought immediately "reproduction" because of the cheap look. If I remember correctly there was no numbers on the backside. I replaced it with a clean OEM original metal bezel. I did not throw the plastic one out. It is here somewhere. I will go look for it and post a picture of it. If some other early model '68 owner could post a pic of theirs - I could then compare. Thanks BK3
BK3
). Still have mine hoping someday to find someone to redo the chrome plating on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
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From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Blair, my March 27, 1968 14,842 coupe had the extremely cheap and flat looking bezel.
I still wonder why they made it out of plastic. I would think that a plastic mold is harder to make than the pot metal one. The raised "chrome trim" on the plastic one looked so tacky. Thanks Mike, for giving the production number change. The Chrome on the plastic bezel is actually Aluminum flashed on to the part in a vacuum. At least that is how model car kits get their chrome wheels and bumpers. I use to collect Corvette promo models, but I sold a lot of them to pay for a new GM frame for my 68 coupe. Lou.
I still wonder why they made it out of plastic. I would think that a plastic mold is harder to make than the pot metal one. The raised "chrome trim" on the plastic one looked so tacky. Thanks Mike, for giving the production number change. The Chrome on the plastic bezel is actually Aluminum flashed on to the part in a vacuum. At least that is how model car kits get their chrome wheels and bumpers. I use to collect Corvette promo models, but I sold a lot of them to pay for a new GM frame for my 68 coupe. Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Jan 6, 2014 at 08:32 PM.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
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From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Hello Mike - good to hear from you, buddy - hope all is well. My shifter plate is exactly like yours (although mine is the automatic version - no air). The plate I am questioning is the forward fiber optic plate which is located at the top of the shifter console (just above the ashtray and heater controls). This monitors the front lamp operation. Take care. BK3
Last edited by bkvette3; Jan 7, 2014 at 09:02 AM.
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,335
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From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
Hi Blair,
I had my 68 GURU judge check his supply of plastic bezels. None have a part number. He advised he personally removed some of these from early parts cars. Hope that helps!
take care, john
PS, I stand corrected, apparently they were /are reproduced.
I had my 68 GURU judge check his supply of plastic bezels. None have a part number. He advised he personally removed some of these from early parts cars. Hope that helps!
take care, john
PS, I stand corrected, apparently they were /are reproduced.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
Hello Mike - good to hear from you, buddy - hope all is well. My shifter plate is exactly like yours (although mine is the automatic version - no air). The plate I am questioning is the forward fiber optic plate which is located at the top of the shifter console (just above the ashtray and heater controls). This monitors the front lamp operation. Take care. BK3
happy new year my friend!The thing that has me scratching my head, not to detract from you getting answers to your question, but why would GM put indicators in the shift plate and offer the bezel - seems kind of redundant to monitor the tail lights in two places. Guess the fiber optic panel was an afterthought at launch?
CF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 360
From: Delaware
St. Jude Donor '25
happy new year my friend!The thing that has me scratching my head, not to detract from you getting answers to your question, but why would GM put indicators in the shift plate and offer the bezel - seems kind of redundant to monitor the tail lights in two places. Guess the fiber optic panel was an afterthought at launch?
The one on the shift console covers the rear lights.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Found my old forward bezel - OEM or reproduction??? Kind of rough - scratched, one mounting tab broken off. Gouge marks at the top - my guess would be PO (not me) trying to remove from console with a screwdriver. Thanks BK3
Last edited by bkvette3; Jan 7, 2014 at 06:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I added the outer two taillight indicators to my 68 shifter bezel. I have a posting and photo about it. The easy way to tell the metal front bezel from the plastic one, is that the center dividing rib is rounded on the metal one and flat, square on the plastic one. Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Jan 10, 2014 at 07:55 PM.