I've got a few questions about the console pieces on my '73...

1. What are the differences in the console/shifter trim plates for '72-'74 versus '75-'76? Looking at the pictures, they look the same to me, other than three chrome dashes near the shifter. The trim in my car now actually has these three dashes, so does that mean there's a '75-'76 trim plate in there as is? Based on condition and the other parts I was assuming the interior was all original as purchased.

http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&

http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...GR-SR&CTitle=&

2. How hard/easy is it to remove this trim piece and replace the ash tray door? I see the ash tray doors only run ~$20, so buying that plus some other pieces might save me a ton over buying the whole piece in the links above.

3. A/C control face..... the search I did only resulted in a couple of threads that commented on what a pain this item was. If I pick up the face "kit" that comes with a new assembled face and two new wheels, am I going to be in for a headache or is this a fairly simple swap?

4. I'll throw in a non-console question too. How does the carpet on the deluxe door panels attach? That's one of the few things on the door panels I need to replace and I'm assuming it's a fairly easy task. I don't have the car with me now, but does the metal trim piece hold it up top and then it wraps around the back side from below?

 

re #2, piece of cake. I pulled mine this weekend to paint it and make it all nice nice.

pull the gear ball off the shifter. 4 screws for the bezel, one at each corner, if its non ac pull the vent ***** by loosening a VERY tiny set screw under neath. The heater module stays and is not attached to the bezel.

The console will pull up and over the shifter. 4 screw hold the ash tray to the bottom. the ash tray door and slides will be free when it is off.

take a moment and clean it all up and paint. it sure did wonders for my interior looks this weekend.

Re #3, I took a long look at that heater module. I wasnt in the mood to futz with it but I did notice my vacuum lines were loose. I havent needed to use it so I didnt notice it didnt work. I will have to go back in some time to replace the vac connections.

Re #4, the metal trim piece is secured by screws on the back side of the panel. I know it holds on the top of the carpet but I am unsure what holds the bottom. You will need to pull the panel to release that trim piece. Fiddly but not hard.


When you have it apart you will understand why that bezel is so expensive. its not plastic and is a pretty stout AL. piece. I am so used to todays plastic cars I become amazed at these cars sometimes when I see the price and then actually have the part in hand. The door panels are a good example. Expensive until you pull one and realize how its made.

ON a down note for my weekend adventures I found out my center gauge bezel is broken. since I am going to put in a new radio sometime I decided to put it off. There another $250

 

Thanks for posting. I was under the impression that the piece was made out of plastic. Ash tray door made out of plastic?

What did you use to strip the old paint (if you did) and what type of paint did you use to repaint it? That sounds much more promising than spending $250. I wouldn't have to touch up much since I'll be buying a new wood trim to throw on there.

 

Never seen an original '73 with a '75-'76 style plate.

The plate and ashtray door are cast pot metal.

 

No the sliding door is AL. too.
I didnt strip it. I just wiped the metal down with alcohol scuffed it with scotchbrite and sprayed with some trim paint from the parts store.
I went over the shifter pattern with a q-tip and some acetone to bring out the AL underneath. The bezel edges I left black as I like the way it looked better.

 

Here is a picture of the console trim it came with. Previous owner could have added it.

 

Wood grain applique came with the deluxe interior package. Looks to me like you do not need an ashtray door.

This is a good photo reference:

 

Many of the aftermarket options I see for the console itself don't have the three chrome stripes to the left of the shifter on the '73 options, however, the '75 options do. That's what sparked my curiosity.

All that being said, knowing that this isn't plastic, I'm excited to clean up the paint myself (including the ashtray door) rather than forking all that money over. I'll have to take it apart when I get the car back.

Anyone have a comment on the a/c face "rebuild" kit? That's going to be much trickier to clean up so may still buy that.