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Saw a post where a guy cut and re-formed the gauge trim to fix the uneven look shown on mine below. Don't think I wanna try to even do that. Wondering if this issue is due to a poorly made aftermarket part that was installed. If so, wonder if or where I could find a NOS or a very nice used oem.
The top edge of the trim around the washer buttons.
I hate to say that this is a common problem and what is weird the drivers side is always the culprit. My original pot metal frame was broken so I spent the money for a restoration frame. After installation, You know the fitment was a bit off on the drivers side. After push, loosening all the various screws, I finally broken the thin frame piece that goes to ac vent. There was No way that I was going to buy a second gauge frame. Our cars are around 50 years old and the plastic vinyl covered parts are warped and just plain OLD. From all my reading on the Forum, the build quality was not that great to begin with when they came down the assembly line. You can loosen all the screws plus the radio and see if you can improve the fitment, but pot metal does not bend, I know that firsthand. Google the subject and you will see that my comments are valid.
There should be a screw into the center underside of the trim that attaches it to the upper dash. Is this in place in your car?
I have been fortunate that my replacement gauge trim fits very well. When installing, all screws were barely started, radio nuts were loose, both driver and passenger panels were loose, shift console was loose. I was able to get the trim up and seated and first secured that upper center screw, then the radio nuts, then the remaining trim screws into the side panels. Last to secure were the upper driver/passenger panel-to-dash screws.
The trim is solidly in place. no movement or "loose" areas. When I try to push the low part up, it doesn't budge. I thought maybe there was a screw behind it that wasnt screwed in completely and that was keeping the trim from sitting in level.
Hopefully this weekend I can just try to loosen all the fasteners as mentioned and see if I can get it to look better. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't just a case of a cheaply made aftermarket part and there would be no hope of it ever sitting in there properly.
How well does the floor console line up with the parking brake cover, have you got a picture of the entire area? I have found that having the radio attached to the bezel, and then the bezel moved into place so that the bottom right corner of the radio can be attached to the floor, will help everything line up. After you get the radio attached to the bezel, move the floor console into place, setting the bottom of the bezel on the front of the console, and then pushing the console forward. Like others have stated, you still have to be sorta gentle so as not to break any of the pieces. Is the ventilation bezel matching up with the vent duct behind it; sometimes that can get in the way if not lined up.
How well does the floor console line up with the parking brake cover, have you got a picture of the entire area? I have found that having the radio attached to the bezel, and then the bezel moved into place so that the bottom right corner of the radio can be attached to the floor, will help everything line up. After you get the radio attached to the bezel, move the floor console into place, setting the bottom of the bezel on the front of the console, and then pushing the console forward. Like others have stated, you still have to be sorta gentle so as not to break any of the pieces. Is the ventilation bezel matching up with the vent duct behind it; sometimes that can get in the way if not lined up.
Those 'deformed' cluster bezels are just that... pot metal castings removed too quickly by the (paid by the quantity) operators. They found they could do 8 hours work in 5-6 hours, if they yanked the casting out of the mold before it cooled properly and was ejected automatically. Probably 50% of that vintage gauge bezels have some mis-shaped upper left corner like that. The defect is very common and came from the factory that way. Get over it.
P.S. Pot metal is weak and brittle. If you try to straighten it up by over-torquing a screw, you will not just crack it--you will break it.
The center shifter consol trim piece is definitely from another year Vette and does not fit right. The little side trim pieces are screwed to the outside of the consol. Lou.
I really did not plan this. However I had a center bezel that was broken on both sides and I usually super glue a thin piece of sheet metal cut to fit on the sides. When installed the sheet metal is only visible on the edge between the LH and RH lower consoles and the center bezel and so not particularly visible unless you look closely. For this 69 I was installing the center bezel and the super glue gave it up so I pressed the bezel into the correct and proper location and THEN super glued it again and it came out better than the way I normally do this repair. I decided I might do the repair in place from now on instead of how I used to do it. I suggest you find a broken center bezel and try this if you want a better fit. No way would I break a good center bezel as they are too hard to find and repro's are expensive. Hope this might help.
Last edited by 20mercury; May 26, 2025 at 02:02 PM.
I did not think that a 69 has stiching on the trim pieces. Those parts could be the problem. Lou.
Not sure what you mean. Mine is a 72
Originally Posted by loup68
The center shifter consol trim piece is definitely from another year Vette and does not fit right. The little side trim pieces are screwed to the outside of the consol. Lou.
Mine has the deluxe interior, so I think the shifter trim should also be walnut, which I will eventually replace. Which little side pieces are you referring to?
Mine has the deluxe interior, so I think the shifter trim should also be walnut, which I will eventually replace. Which little side pieces are you referring to?
Here is the driver's side cover, another is on the other side; the other blue line is trying indicate the 'stitching'.....
Here is the driver's side cover, another is on the other side; the other blue line is trying indicate the 'stitching'.....
Right. So those are wrong? They're darker color, like the dash piece, versus the console cover. And the stitching is wrong as well? Sorry, first corvette.
I am sorry, I thought that you had a 69 some how. I am sure that the 72's had console and dash stitching. But the little side panels to me should fit nicer than that. I have a 68 and the panels are smooth across with the shifter console.
Someone with knowledge of a 72 interior should speak up about how they fit. Lou.
I am sorry, I thought that you had a 69 some how. I am sure that the 72's had console and dash stitching. But the little side panels to me should fit nicer than that. I have a 68 and the panels are smooth across with the shifter console.
Someone with knowledge of a 72 interior should speak up about how they fit. Lou.
no worries. Yeah to me they look weird. I have this book. C3 restoration guide. Wish there was a better pic of those side pieces, but kinda look like mine. What you can see of it anyway.
Someone screwed that access panel into the trans console. It should have been screwed into the 'horseshoe' bracket at the front of the console and butted up to the front edge of it. (Likely because the 'horseshoe' bracket was not in proper location.)
Someone screwed that access panel into the trans console. It should have been screwed into the 'horseshoe' bracket at the front of the console and butted up to the front edge of it. (Likely because the 'horseshoe' bracket was not in proper location.)
ah got it. I'll check out a buddy's 72 coupe tonight hopefully. Weather permitting and he's at the cruise in. Thanks.
72 gauge cluster trim
