I have been looking quite a while for the "Right" 70 or 71 convertible with all of the options such as AC, PS, PB, PW, shoulder belts, etc.. that is not a red, white, or black exterior. Oh, and in very decent shape. I'm just not finding anything suitable to me.

I have found a 72 that has the options and a color that I can appreciate. But one thing, albeit trivial to some, I would really like to have the fiber optics.

With all of that said, is it doable to add this to a 72?

Seems like the center console, the interior housings, the fiber connections to the interior housings and connections to the light source would be feasible to install.

Generally speaking, are all of the components available? Are there large, aka expensive, items that would need to be swapped? I have no idea how the fibers connect to the light source. New housings possibly?


Thank you in advance.

 

Doable? Yes. Worth doing? No.

While it is nice to have and you can tell what bulbs may be out whenever you are driving at night, the frequency of detecting a bulb outage is so low that the fiber optics feature is just a cool thing to have. You could walk around your car at night every so often and find the same things.

There are so many small pieces to round up...in addition to finding an intact F/O strand system...that it would be very time consuming. But, if you had the car and the desire, and time was not an issue, you could turn the parts search into a big 'Treasure Hunt' until you had all the parts rounded up. There would still be a significant amount of work to do--especially running the F/O cables where they needed to go. But, the AIM has all the detail drawings necessary to show you what to do.

Personally, I think it would be a big boondoggle. But, to each his own....

 

It's a simple connection at the light sources. There is a fitting on the end of the FO cable that plugs into a hole to secure the cable end at the light source. IIRC there are appropriate flats on the housing at these areas. I don't know if the appropriate locations on '72 would simply require a hole or if the housings are reshaped.

I like the way you think. If car lacks a feature that you want...add it.

 

It's a little more involved than that....

 

A similar post elsewhere

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ics-cheat.html

 

Hi VitV,
Adding the fiber-optics is certainly "doable".
It would involve perhaps drilling small holes in the parking light, tail light, and license light housings.
You'll need to buy the fiber-optic cables and the fittings/lenses for the ends of the cables.
You'll also need the front fiber-optic bezel and 69-71 shifter plate for the console.
I took a quick look…. may $650-$750 (?) to do it well.
Probably the most work is running the cables and getting the interior far enough apart to do what needs to be done.
Worth it???
Good Luck as you shop for a car!!!
Regards,
Alan

A typical set-up…. front parking light.

 

THAT's what needs to be done...at all affected lighting locations. Plus, you have to get the other ends fitted to correct lenses in the lower console panel.

That's a lot of work and a lot of money so that you can 'be amazed' at the glowing "dots" on your interior console.

Best not to start on this project....

 

OMG; I didn't know these cars had "fiber optics". From what year to what year was this a thing?

1970s engineering cracks me up! Half of my car powered by vacuum and now I find out it's got fiber optics?!? A-MA-ZING!


Adam

 

Hi Adam,
The fiber-optics were on the cars from 1968 to 1971.
Back then they were pretty neat!
I can still remember the first time I saw the interior at night.
Regards,
Alan

 

FWIW: Purchase any of the Corvette coffee table history books. All of them will have something to say about the fiber optic system.

This is reasonably good:


Also worth the money. C3 specific:


Excellent photo reference. Pricey, but good information:

 

 

I don't think it would be that tough- but expensive.

Here's what you'd need- and a console.

I'm doing a total custom interior and made sure I kept the fiber optics!

Richard

 

Hmmm... Maybe a little more costly than a bulb every now and then...

We haven't had F/O on cars since the late 70's, sooooo how much has that feature been missed???

I do like having that system in my car; but I sure wouldn't install it if it were 'missing'.

 

You can also get all the tubes as a separate harness, front & rear. Getting them installed would be the fun part!

I think most would agree with you. AND, it certainly wouldn`t add value to the car.
BUT, it`s like electric headlights, or a 6 speed trans, or any other mod.... if the owner likes it, wants it, sees a value in having it, then it would be well worth the time, effort, & money to him.

 

Totally agree with you "Old Goat"...ooops...."OldGTO". [] Everyone should do whatever they want to their vehicle. I just thought that the OP should consider all sides of this issue. Just as you said, "no value added" for all of that cost and trouble. But, if the 'cool factor' is enough for the OP to add it, so be it!!!

 

Thanks to everyone and your input. I will take the information in consideration.

It sounds like it might be a fun winter project if everything else is done. Probably bigger items to improve or maintain first. But then again is anything or everything ever done. It isn't for me. I guess that's why this is a hobby for me. Something to always tinker with.

However, I will move ahead with expanding my search to include 72's. Will also be strongly considering the one 72 that I found and liked.