1977 center console side panels
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
1977 center console side panels
Help!
Anyone out there with a 77 that they changed the top plastic and matching side panels over the tranny tunnel on?
The top replacement panel looks great! So much better than the worn, cracked original plastic that was there. It looks factory new now, but the side panels do not lock in the groves on the underside of the top panel and stay flat to the tranny tunnel. The two side panels both bulge out on both sides even with
the bottom where the shifter clear plastic (PRNDL Automatic) is. Anyone out there have this problem and was able to solve it?
Please share!
Thank you
Jax
1977 L-82
Anyone out there with a 77 that they changed the top plastic and matching side panels over the tranny tunnel on?
The top replacement panel looks great! So much better than the worn, cracked original plastic that was there. It looks factory new now, but the side panels do not lock in the groves on the underside of the top panel and stay flat to the tranny tunnel. The two side panels both bulge out on both sides even with
the bottom where the shifter clear plastic (PRNDL Automatic) is. Anyone out there have this problem and was able to solve it?
Please share!
Thank you
Jax
1977 L-82
Last edited by xkeots; Apr 9, 2016 at 01:46 PM. Reason: Writing error
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Help!
Anyone out there with a 77 that they changed the top plastic and matching side panels over the tranny tunnel on?
The top replacement panel looks great! So much better than the worn, cracked original plastic that was there. It looks factory new now, but the side panels do not lock in the groves on the underside of the top panel and stay flat to the tranny tunnel. The two side panels both bulge out on both sides even with
the bottom where the shifter clear plastic (PRNDL Automatic) is. Anyone out there have this problem and was able to solve it?
Please share!
Thank you
Jax
1977 L-82
Anyone out there with a 77 that they changed the top plastic and matching side panels over the tranny tunnel on?
The top replacement panel looks great! So much better than the worn, cracked original plastic that was there. It looks factory new now, but the side panels do not lock in the groves on the underside of the top panel and stay flat to the tranny tunnel. The two side panels both bulge out on both sides even with
the bottom where the shifter clear plastic (PRNDL Automatic) is. Anyone out there have this problem and was able to solve it?
Please share!
Thank you
Jax
1977 L-82
DUB
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
The originals on my 77 had deteriorated and would flop around when removed. I used them as a template and made new ones out of 1/8" Masonite. After cutting, I adjusted as necessary for a good fit. I then sprayed them with water, installed them and let them dry - this gave them the perfect contour, matching the tunnel. I finished them off with some epoxy primer and urethane paint and covered them with perforated vinyl for a nice appearance and perfect fit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 7
From: Live Free or Die. N.H.
YES,,,the side covers are the vinyl covered ones and I cut/trim them to the contour so they do lock in and fit. SOMETIMES it is a 'pot-luck' scenario....where I have to make my own due the ones you can buy are not correct and the pre-drilled hole and do not allow you to do any trimming.....which is ALSO why i like to install the carpeted side covers if the owner is not having to ahve the correct factory vinyl style.
DUB
DUB
The originals on my 77 had deteriorated and would flop around when removed. I used them as a template and made new ones out of 1/8" Masonite. After cutting, I adjusted as necessary for a good fit. I then sprayed them with water, installed them and let them dry - this gave them the perfect contour, matching the tunnel. I finished them off with some epoxy primer and urethane paint and covered them with perforated vinyl for a nice appearance and perfect fit.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Often you can loosen the side panel screws and force the panel upwards so that it tracks in the shifter console panel grooves. Even when the cars were new this was an issue, I've got some pictures of a 1978 car with original low miles.. the fit is horrible (It's my car)...
Willcox
Willcox
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 287
Likes: 8
I've made my own for my 77, as the piece of wood costs 5$ and the vinyl cost like another 5-10$. Definitely not worth the heavy vendor price tag and you can make these in like 20 mins. Just test fit em before you put the vinyl on and make any adjustments you need to.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
I've made my own for my 77, as the piece of wood costs 5$ and the vinyl cost like another 5-10$. Definitely not worth the heavy vendor price tag and you can make these in like 20 mins. Just test fit em before you put the vinyl on and make any adjustments you need to.
The spots and fasteners for their attachment have some vertical flexibility which means when fastening the screws thru the cover into them..gently lifting the console panels upward until snug.
Left and right side panes are different..
Both are secured by three screws on each side with a chrome dressy washer affair to snug down on the carpet when tight...Plus the console plastic top trim pieces..jim
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
To assure that these panels would retain their shape and not gradually 'relax' under Florida's monster humidity, I coated them inside and out with SPI epoxy primer and then a black urethane. I covered them with vinyl and also put a patch of sound deadener on the inside. They are ridged, durable, fit perfectly and are easy to install. They are also 'dead' sounding when tapped.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
YES,,,the side covers are the vinyl covered ones and I cut/trim them to the contour so they do lock in and fit. SOMETIMES it is a 'pot-luck' scenario....where I have to make my own due the ones you can buy are not correct and the pre-drilled hole and do not allow you to do any trimming.....which is ALSO why i like to install the carpeted side covers if the owner is not having to ahve the correct factory vinyl style.
DUB
DUB
It is the time of the year up here in NY to start getting cars in shape! I hope you are well Dub
Jax
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 508
Likes: 36
From: Ia
Very cool fixes guys! I thought I was being clever making mine 
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ole-sides.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ole-sides.html
