Is the 77 dash/interior unique????
 

I was looking at a couple c3's, the interiors and I thought that 69-77 were the same,
then I thought that in 78 it all changed and from 78-82 it was the same,

The main part I want to focus on is the 1977 center console where the shifter is,
Here is a picture of a 77 center console.

http://www.eslurf.com/corvette/1977/corvette32a.jpg

The center console appears to be the same as 78-82 NOT 77-69

In addition the center gauge console in the 77 appears to be the same as 78-82 except clock rather than oil temp gauge,
However, the rest of the 77 dash looks like 76-69

So my question is will the 78-82 center console and center gauge cluster fit right into a 69-76 dash OR is the 77 dash special and unique....:ack:

I am not sure about the gauge cluster but the shifter console and E-Brake console on the '77 is the same as the 78 and later. However I believe the dash pad, map pocket etc are the same as the earlier cars. The '77 kind of was a transiton in some ways to the 78.

Corvette America LH and RH lower dash pads, which is what the cluster would fit up against, are listed as (LH) '71-'76 no AC, 74-76 w/AC, 1977, 1977 w/AC and RH 71-76 and 1977 alone. It would seem there are specific fit issues, although Im not sure if its installation or cluster related.

Also, the CA lists the 1977 upper dash pad (the "top" section) seperately from the other years. Again, not sure if its just styling or if it would affect gauge cluster install.

'77 interior was definitely an inbetween year.

The 77 has the unique vinyl covered cardboard console skirts that slips into a narrow grove on the bottom side of the shifter console and in the gauge cluster I believe the radio hole changed to a standard din size for the first time.

If you install the 78 cluster on the 76 dash pads you will have a gap between the cluster and pads at the radio sides. The 77 cluster has ears on each side,I'll see if I can find a pic to post.

Someone installed a '78 style dash,speedo-tach and interior in my '77.Have a normal glovebox and power door locks.

:thumbs:

I saw the "ears" in the picture on Ecklers...

So did any 69-77 have factory power locks?

Good because I couldn't seem to find a pic to post. :willy:
I don't recall any power locks before 78.

'78 was the first year for power locks,which makes my '77 more odd.:willy:

http://www.ecklers.com/images/vette/A8521.jpg

:thumbs:

the 77 upper dash is unique... count the screws in the bezel that mount to the underside of the upper dash... check the hole spacing.. i know i had issues with mine when i bought a upper dash from a earlier year (i believe)

No power locks for 69-77's.

As far as your first question about 77 interiors, much of it is unique to 77. The dash top and door panels for 77 only differ from 70-76 pieces in that the 70-76's have a fake seam molded into the front edge of the dash top and the top of the door panels, that was eliminated in 77. 68-77 dash tops and door panels are all interchangable.

The left and right front dash panels are unique to 77. They vary slightly from 69-76 panels were they meet the center gauge cluster. The center gauge cluster is a 77 only piece, with the "ears" as you already noticed. Except for the ears, 77-82 clusters are the same though. The 78-82 clusters were discountinued by GM before the 77's. We used to buy the 77's and cut the ears off and sell them as 78-82's.

The 77's grained, molded plastic inside windshield piller post moldings are 77 only. 78-82's look similar, but are different where they meet the dash. 68-76 moldings are shaped the same, but are made from a substraight and covered with vinyl material. I forget if the top header molding is the same for 77-82, but I think so.

The black plastic shift consoles are the same for all 77-82's, but the console side panels are different on 77. 77's are vinyl covered and cut differently than 78-82's, which are carpet covered. 77-81 4 speed shifters are taller than 68-76 shifter handles. The parking brake cover is the same for 77-82.

77 steering columns are 77 only, also. 77 has the wiper switch incorporated into the turn signal stalk, 69-76 and 78-82's all have their wiper switch mounted on the dash.

Carpet and seats are pretty much the same for all 70-77, except for the material used.:thumbs:

One year only.
:)

I found a new NOS Delco AM/Fm stereo for my 77'. When I went to get a harness for it they sold me a 78' -82' Gm part. I was told it wasn't going to work, I was also told that the radio would only fit 78'on...The radio and harness were a perfect fit and match. There seems to be a lot of confusion when it comes to the 77'. Mine is #4228 of the series,bare metal horn button , no side emblems and now an original radio! Life is Good!

The console was updated in 77. The gauge cluster has "wings" to mate to the dash.
When the interior was redone in 78, the "wings" or "ears" were not needed to fit the new dash.
So to use 78-82 gauge cluster in earlier models, you need to add the "wings".

I have had the 80s cluster in the 77 for years to make the gauge openings same since replaced the clock w/ 80s oil temp.

Just to add to this.. the 77 cluster is a twin to the 78-82 cluster (for cars with clocks in the dash) except for the ears.

Actually, you can cut off the ears from a 1977 console and it is the same.

No power door locks for 1977, this didn't come till 78 and someone else mentioned this above.

Willcox