bkvette3

Early production '68 forward fiber optic bezel on the console - plastic or metal??? Thanks BK3

Easy Mike

The Judging Guide says plastic until about 19534.

bkvette3

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.

avalonjohn

Hi Blair, I could be wrong but I was not aware the 68 only plastic fiber optic plate is reproduced.

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..

bkvette3

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

LemansBlue68

The '68 bezel was plastic originally. Based on John's comments they must have gone with the die cast bezel like the '69's late in the model year. I replaced mine with the plastic reproduction (forgot who I bought it from) and it's comparable jn quality to the original (i.e. cheap ). Still have mine hoping someday to find someone to redo the chrome plating on it.

loup68

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.

Lupigiato

Blair, do you have indicator lenses on your shifter plate ? My October 67 built 68 has three colored lenses though they are not connected.

bkvette3

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

avalonjohn

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.

Lupigiato

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?

avalonjohn

Hi, The top plate (the one Blair is writing about) displays the front marker lights / front turn signals, headlights and high-beams.

The one on the shift console covers the rear lights.

bkvette3

Thanks AJ - much appreciated

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

twinpack

Here is my before and after pic's. The after is a repo.[IMG][/IMG]

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bkvette3

Hello Peter. Nicely done on the console assembly - looks . By any chance - do you still have the old bezel??? Thanks BK3

loup68

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.