When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I didn't want to hijack the other interior light thread and have it go in a different direction, so... 69 coupe, was the dome light just to the right and overhead of the passenger seat an option by itself or part of a convenance group? I have seen pictures of it, but I do not have one installed. There is a Soundbar speaker system across the back bulkhead, so I don't know if there was a light assembly originally there as well. The extra lighting overhead in addition to the existing footwell lights would be nice to have.
Thanks Guys
Last edited by Driving69; Jul 22, 2024 at 10:10 PM.
I have a 69 Coupe and have never seen a dome light above the seats. I think that this must have been added by a previous owner. It would have been a nice feature since the interior tends to be on the dark side. According to the Owner's manual the courtesy lights are lights at the outer ends of the dash and the rear compartment light. There was definitely a light assembly in the center of the rear compartment. Here is an image.
Very well could be an owner added feature. Saw this picture in a (Corvette) vendor's catalog and it got my interest, especially described as a "Dome Light". Of the few early C3 Coupes in my area, none have it installed.
That looks exactly like the light assembly that goes in the center rear compartment. If I was going to add one I would have put it in the center of the panel above your head that mounts in front of the rear window. If the engineer were smarter they would have added one there, so if the passenger wanted to look at a map (we used them back then) they wouldn't have to hold it down by the floor.
Totally agree with where it should have been placed and if I were to add one, that is where I would install it, with a different design of course. I'm sure my car originally had the light in the rear compartment and the wires are probably stowed or cut(!).
Thanks!
Justin
Very well could be an owner added feature. Saw this picture in a (Corvette) vendor's catalog and it got my interest, especially described as a "Dome Light". Of the few early C3 Coupes in my area, none have it installed.
The interior light in the B-pillars was a 1968 coupe ONLY item. 68 convertibles and all 69-73 Corvettes came with the lamp on the interior rear bulkhead. In 74 the interior lamp was moved from the rear bulkhead to the middle of the T-bar on coupes, and remained there through 82 (74-75 convertibles retained the bulkhead mounted lamp). 73-76 Corvettes with the optional "Convenience Group" came with a small "Map Light" installed in the bottom of the inside rear view mirror, but no other extra interior lighting.
The 68 coupes came with two of those B-pillar lamps, one in each interior quarter trim panel. There's an opening in the 68 quarter trim panels for the lens and retainer making them different than later quarter trim panels. They could be added to later coupes, but would require all of the 68 pieces (trim panels, lenses, retainers, wiring, etc) for both sides of the car.
The 68-73 bulkhead mounted interior lamp was also used as a dome lamp on 63-67 coupes.
The interior light in the B-pillars was a 1968 coupe ONLY item..
That should clear everything up and that does appear to be the top half of a 68 seat in the pic. After looking through the vendor catalog again, it does show both trim pieces with provisions for the light assemblies for 68 only. I'm guessing if you had the C50 rear window defroster option, they just mounted the vent next to the light assembly on the LH trim piece.
Last edited by Driving69; Jul 23, 2024 at 02:31 PM.
I have looked at the 1968 brochure and apparently the 68 did have lights in both panels next to your head. Don't know why they didn't continue it in 69.
One light in the middle of the panel above your head would have been a good solution, but they didn't do it.
I have looked at the 1968 brochure and apparently the 68 did have lights in both panels next to your head. Don't know why they didn't continue it in 69.
I don't know for sure, but I assume they changed them for the same reason they made most changes, it was cheaper.
One light in the middle of the panel above your head would have been a good solution, but they didn't do it.
In 74 they did move it to the T-bar and it made a big difference, though it was a little harder to find something in the rear compartment at night, especially if you had a black, dark blue or some other dark interior.
I have looked at the 1968 brochure and apparently the 68 did have lights in both panels next to your head. Don't know why they didn't continue it in 69.
One light in the middle of the panel above your head would have been a good solution, but they didn't do it.
yep, I have a 68 coupe and have a light in each of the panels next to your head.
Another dome light question, 69 coupe
