Dumb Question on 74/80 shift console
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
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Dumb Question on 74/80 shift console
I have had many Corvettes over the years, but have never owned a later C3 model. But I just bought a 74 Can Am bodied car with a 1980 interior in it -- or what's left of a 1980 interior. The early C3 steel bumper cars I have had all had a shift console housing that supported the shift plate with the a/c, heat and other controls in addition to the shift lever. This one has the plate just lying there with no support but the pics I see show carpet all the way up the side of the transmission tunnel to the plate with no housing shown. The carpet sets for sale show that piece, but nothing that it goes on. Other searches for the shift console have been to no avail. Given all that, what is supposed to hold up that shift plate ??
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
Metal supports that are attached to the transmission tunnel area. One in the front hat is somewhat tall and one in the rear; Also...there is a special support for the hand brake area due to it is different than those cars without the plastic shift plate.
The gauge bezel is also different and it is plastic also and it is attached to the front edge of the plastic shifter console.
The side console strips which are carpet on some years but they are vinyl on a 1977...you can buy the boards that the carpet can get glued on...BUT...you better modify them and get them to fit BEFORE you glue on the carpet due to the way they are generally cut...they do not cut them correctly ...thus...they will not fit correctly.
Your 1974 has a fiberglass transmission tunnel in it ...so getting the supports you need you will have to figure out a way to get them to secure to it really good and not just put screws into the transmission tunnel area....because they will pull out in time. The supports you need were spot welded on the steel transmission tunnel area on the later year cars with it.
DUB
The gauge bezel is also different and it is plastic also and it is attached to the front edge of the plastic shifter console.
The side console strips which are carpet on some years but they are vinyl on a 1977...you can buy the boards that the carpet can get glued on...BUT...you better modify them and get them to fit BEFORE you glue on the carpet due to the way they are generally cut...they do not cut them correctly ...thus...they will not fit correctly.
Your 1974 has a fiberglass transmission tunnel in it ...so getting the supports you need you will have to figure out a way to get them to secure to it really good and not just put screws into the transmission tunnel area....because they will pull out in time. The supports you need were spot welded on the steel transmission tunnel area on the later year cars with it.
DUB
Last edited by DUB; Jul 13, 2018 at 06:50 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I would say the previous owner did not do you any favors trying to swap interiors. If you want to try to fit what you have, any 77-82 AIM shows the support brackets for the trim plate Dub mentions. Ebrake set was also new for 77-82.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2016
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Thanks
The paperwork I have shows that this car was stolen and stripped (hood, top of engine, interior seats & other parts, wheels) way back when and then it was "merged" with a wrecked 80 to build the can am car. It was a show car for a couple of years then got parked and sat for a couple of decades. Someone stole parts off the engine and the interior while it was in the warehouse so no telling what happened to the side parts. But I thank you both for the info -- I am sure it will help.
