Another '79 Early/Late Difference
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Another '79 Early/Late Difference
Looking at photos, I've found another difference in '79 production.
The power door lock switch position moved.
Earlier production (and '78s) have the power lock switches to the rear of the inside door handle. Later production (and '80s) have the switches ahead of the handle.
I've never liked the position of the lock buttons in my '79 (late production) as you have to lean way forward to reach the lock button.
Any idea why they changed position? Especially from a position that seems more convenient? Is, perhaps, the more rearward position too easy to operate inadvertently?
The power door lock switch position moved.
Earlier production (and '78s) have the power lock switches to the rear of the inside door handle. Later production (and '80s) have the switches ahead of the handle.
I've never liked the position of the lock buttons in my '79 (late production) as you have to lean way forward to reach the lock button.
Any idea why they changed position? Especially from a position that seems more convenient? Is, perhaps, the more rearward position too easy to operate inadvertently?
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
Looking at photos, I've found another difference in '79 production.
The power door lock switch position moved.
Earlier production (and '78s) have the power lock switches to the rear of the inside door handle. Later production (and '80s) have the switches ahead of the handle.
I've never liked the position of the lock buttons in my '79 (late production) as you have to lean way forward to reach the lock button.
Any idea why they changed position? Especially from a position that seems more convenient? Is, perhaps, the more rearward position too easy to operate inadvertently?
The power door lock switch position moved.
Earlier production (and '78s) have the power lock switches to the rear of the inside door handle. Later production (and '80s) have the switches ahead of the handle.
I've never liked the position of the lock buttons in my '79 (late production) as you have to lean way forward to reach the lock button.
Any idea why they changed position? Especially from a position that seems more convenient? Is, perhaps, the more rearward position too easy to operate inadvertently?
I once owned a very early 79 car but I'm not sure if I have any pictures of the interior left. The car was sold a long time ago.
Difference's that I'm aware of include (and I'm sure I'll miss some)...
Wiper switch bezel on early was metal
Three rear door compartments
Turn signal lever (angel)
Antenna bezel
Hum...
I guess I'm getting old, for now that's all I can think of.Willcox
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
I'd never heard of it either.
This is the thread that brought it to my attention. Look at the 3rd page where you see the interior photos.
I was getting ready to tell the new owner that the door lock switch was both in the wrong position and installed sideways but before pressing "post" I decided to make certain. I did some Google image searches to find the change in switch position I mentioned. Also ALL '78 interior photos had the switch aft of the door release and ALL '80 interior photos had it fore.
Strange about the wiper switch bezel as my late production (#49225) '79 is metal. It also has three rear storage compartments but I figured that was because my relatively rare green interior was discontinued in '80.
This is the thread that brought it to my attention. Look at the 3rd page where you see the interior photos.
I was getting ready to tell the new owner that the door lock switch was both in the wrong position and installed sideways but before pressing "post" I decided to make certain. I did some Google image searches to find the change in switch position I mentioned. Also ALL '78 interior photos had the switch aft of the door release and ALL '80 interior photos had it fore.
Strange about the wiper switch bezel as my late production (#49225) '79 is metal. It also has three rear storage compartments but I figured that was because my relatively rare green interior was discontinued in '80.
Last edited by SwampeastMike; May 23, 2017 at 04:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
This is not the only oddity I've discovered for my rare green cloth interior.
The car certainly has the "convenience group" option yet there is no lighted vanity mirror on the passenger side. The electrical connector is there but it's just a plain mirror attached to the visor.
The car certainly has the "convenience group" option yet there is no lighted vanity mirror on the passenger side. The electrical connector is there but it's just a plain mirror attached to the visor.
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
This is not the only oddity I've discovered for my rare green cloth interior.
The car certainly has the "convenience group" option yet there is no lighted vanity mirror on the passenger side. The electrical connector is there but it's just a plain mirror attached to the visor.
The car certainly has the "convenience group" option yet there is no lighted vanity mirror on the passenger side. The electrical connector is there but it's just a plain mirror attached to the visor.
My car was black with red leather interior.... I'll see if I can dig up some pictures of it.. I'll set a search on this computer and tomorrow hopefully I'll find some.
My car also had the L-82 engine and HD cooling without the spoiler package. The ABS front spoiler had an extension pop riveted onto it and so I ordered an extra one since I liked to find those curbs. Lucky for me I never installed it, because we kept getting people ask for this extension so I had the original GM NOS extension here to us for a pattern that we now make in reproduction.
Ernie
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
I'd never heard of it either.
This is the thread that brought it to my attention. Look at the 3rd page where you see the interior photos.
I was getting ready to tell the new owner that the door lock switch was both in the wrong position and installed sideways but before pressing "post" I decided to make certain. I did some Google image searches to find the change in switch position I mentioned. Also ALL '78 interior photos had the switch aft of the door release and ALL '80 interior photos had it fore.
Strange about the wiper switch bezel as my late production (#49225) '79 is metal. It also has three rear storage compartments but I figured that was because my relatively rare green interior was discontinued in '80.
This is the thread that brought it to my attention. Look at the 3rd page where you see the interior photos.
I was getting ready to tell the new owner that the door lock switch was both in the wrong position and installed sideways but before pressing "post" I decided to make certain. I did some Google image searches to find the change in switch position I mentioned. Also ALL '78 interior photos had the switch aft of the door release and ALL '80 interior photos had it fore.
Strange about the wiper switch bezel as my late production (#49225) '79 is metal. It also has three rear storage compartments but I figured that was because my relatively rare green interior was discontinued in '80.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
I have a plastic extension attached to the front lower fascia but it is bolted to the fascia. The extension does though appear too good-looking for '79 yet all attachment points seem original.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 671
From: Northeast
Look at the NCRS judging manual for 78/79.
"As late as serial number 53202 three compartments were still being used; by serial number 53677 two door were installed.
Power door lock cars on a 1978 are located below and slightly aft of the door handle, below and forward of the door handle on 1979's. Some early 1979's may employ the aft location (this has been observed through April production)."
"As late as serial number 53202 three compartments were still being used; by serial number 53677 two door were installed.
Power door lock cars on a 1978 are located below and slightly aft of the door handle, below and forward of the door handle on 1979's. Some early 1979's may employ the aft location (this has been observed through April production)."
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,960
Likes: 4,516
From: Virginia
I have a late 1979. Going through the checklist, I have:
Wiper switch bezel on early was metal: Yup
Three rear door compartments: Yup
Turn signal lever (angel): Dunno, cruise control (feels like it will break every time I use the turn signal)
Antenna bezel: Dunno, PO had it replaced
The most frustrating difference: Early 1979 Oyster White interior is a continuation of the 1978, especially noticeable with the carpet. Mine has the early/1978 style. Oyster White is favorite, though.
EDIT: Turns out, I may have had the later Oyster after all. We pulled out some of the carpet, and discovered that it had been replaced when the car was partially restored 12 years ago. The replacement carpet is the 1978 style (brownish). However, the seat backs have the later 1979 style (grayish).
It also has the aft-mounted door lock switches.
Wiper switch bezel on early was metal: Yup
Three rear door compartments: Yup
Turn signal lever (angel): Dunno, cruise control (feels like it will break every time I use the turn signal)
Antenna bezel: Dunno, PO had it replaced
The most frustrating difference: Early 1979 Oyster White interior is a continuation of the 1978, especially noticeable with the carpet. Mine has the early/1978 style. Oyster White is favorite, though.
EDIT: Turns out, I may have had the later Oyster after all. We pulled out some of the carpet, and discovered that it had been replaced when the car was partially restored 12 years ago. The replacement carpet is the 1978 style (brownish). However, the seat backs have the later 1979 style (grayish).
It also has the aft-mounted door lock switches.
Last edited by Bikespace; Feb 3, 2020 at 11:09 AM. Reason: Discovered non-original carpet
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
Sounds similar to mine as it is an L-82 with HD cooling minus the spoilers (the only "missing" option I can find). I've never seen the assembly line installed spring-operated door in the fan shroud but I've never really looked for it nor do I know where it should be.
I have a plastic extension attached to the front lower fascia but it is bolted to the fascia. The extension does though appear too good-looking for '79 yet all attachment points seem original.
I have a plastic extension attached to the front lower fascia but it is bolted to the fascia. The extension does though appear too good-looking for '79 yet all attachment points seem original.
The fan shroud didn't have a spring... it was the exact same shroud used on the standard car but it had an area of it cut out... and then re-attached with two hinges and a weight added to the cut out flapper.
This is the extension we make.. it's 1979 only.. but people buy it for the added air flow it created for other 73-78 cars. It was held in place by pop rivets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
My 79, serial #15xxx has the door locks mounted exactly like Bikespace shows above. I also HAD an angled turn signal lever, until it broke and I had to settle for the straight repro and I have 3 compartments in the back. I also have a metal wiper switch bezel. I'm not familiar with the antenna bezel differences, so I can't comment on what mine has. I also like how the early door lock switches are vertical as opposed to horizontal on the later ones. I think it's more intuitive since the lock buttons slide forward and aft.
Last edited by C3 4ME; May 24, 2017 at 06:15 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
Looking at photos, I've found another difference in '79 production.
The power door lock switch position moved.
Earlier production (and '78s) have the power lock switches to the rear of the inside door handle. Later production (and '80s) have the switches ahead of the handle.
I've never liked the position of the lock buttons in my '79 (late production) as you have to lean way forward to reach the lock button.
Any idea why they changed position? Especially from a position that seems more convenient? Is, perhaps, the more rearward position too easy to operate inadvertently?
The power door lock switch position moved.
Earlier production (and '78s) have the power lock switches to the rear of the inside door handle. Later production (and '80s) have the switches ahead of the handle.
I've never liked the position of the lock buttons in my '79 (late production) as you have to lean way forward to reach the lock button.
Any idea why they changed position? Especially from a position that seems more convenient? Is, perhaps, the more rearward position too easy to operate inadvertently?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Very interesting. On my 79 the power door lock switch is ahead of the inside door handle. I was going to buy 78 pace car door panels for it but when with 81 silver ones instead. Makes me wonder if I had bought the pace car door panels would my power lock switch wires have stretched far enough to go in the rearward position.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
Very interesting. On my 79 the power door lock switch is ahead of the inside door handle. I was going to buy 78 pace car door panels for it but when with 81 silver ones instead. Makes me wonder if I had bought the pace car door panels would my power lock switch wires have stretched far enough to go in the rearward position.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,668
Likes: 2,473
From: Indiana
Nov 78 build l82 here..
oyster leather still 78 color..
aluminum power antenna from 78 with no Wiring disconnects inside car.
rear locks behind handle
3 compartments
No lighted pass visor
so far...
oyster leather still 78 color..
aluminum power antenna from 78 with no Wiring disconnects inside car.
rear locks behind handle
3 compartments
No lighted pass visor
so far...
Last edited by interpon; Mar 3, 2020 at 11:57 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 388
Likes: 117
From: Tacoma, Wa
My 79 is in the early 30,000s, maybe 32,xxx. Door locks are closer to the footwell infront of the door handle. I have 3 compartments in the back. dunno about wipers. still learning something new every day