Need help
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Need help
Newbie here with a potentially dumb question. Wife bought me an 81 for my 50th. Drivers side center console panel is broke and I need to buy a new one. Question is this. Apparently that panel differs in the early '81 and the late '81. Production date on my car is 12/80. Any thoughts if this is an early or late 81? I am sure I can determine via the vin #, but not sure how.
Any info wound be great....thanks.
Any info wound be great....thanks.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: Lumberton Tx
I don't know if this will help, but 81 was when they switched from Missouri to Kentucky, that may be the change in console? Mine is a Missouri car. Congrats on the 81, I loved mine, even with fixing this little thing here and that little thing there. Use a vin decoder to find the build plant of your car, but dated 12/80 I would bet Missouri. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Offhand, I'm not certain there are early and late consoles for 81s although it's possible there could be a change in the rear window defrost switch. One switch is larger than the other. That said, if you don't have RWD, you don't have to worry about the console.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks guys. I am referring to the side panel of the center console. Its a thin particle board that covers all the wires and supports the carpet. It would be where the drivers right leg rests. Apparently its a different shape between the early and late 81's. I need to replace it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Thanks guys. I am referring to the side panel of the center console. Its a thin particle board that covers all the wires and supports the carpet. It would be where the drivers right leg rests. Apparently its a different shape between the early and late 81's. I need to replace it.
Hold on to your old panels and compare them closely between each side and the correct orientation. Believe it or not you can become confused which panel goes where.
Last edited by Street Rat; Sep 16, 2016 at 08:20 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 9
From: Killeen Texas
I agree with making the panels yourself. My '81 original panels could really fit a little tighter. Eventually I'll cut new ones from a suitable thin panel material. So much for detail work from the GM assembly line... Passenger side top of rocker panel metal strip is a 1/4" long on my '81 and it's original.