!963 glove box restoration
 

I have come across an original 1963 glove box door and mlounting frame. It is separated and missing what I believe to be the silver metal insert. The piece is in excellent condition and I would like to restore it since it is a one year only piece. I have learned these were glued together not rivited so it will make the restoration a bit easier? Is there someone out there that has restored this piece and has some infromation on the process. I like when I find original pieces in good condition.

Thank You,
Rich Harris

It's expensive. Take the old one off. Spend $448 for the new face and glue it on. There were two different locks in 63. As I recall the Trim Parts door fits the lock with the chrome bezel. If you have the first design lock (no bezel) the door may not work for you and you will need to obtain the lock with the bezel and re-key it to your key.

https://rpui.com/-Interior-1963-Chev...Only-Each-5201

I have a very good door as well ,the plastic door is excellent, no cracks or broken pieces. The logo is in the plactic and looks very good. What I need to know is there a piece between the outside door and the fiberglass back?

Thank You

The door should look like this, which is a fresh reproduction from Trim Parts:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...70f48b6d30.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...82a0d14d6a.jpg

Trim Parts might be willing to sell you individual components if you explain to them that you have a very nice original door that you're hoping to restore.

Be aware also, if you aren't already, that there was a running change that occurred early in the production run for '63, that added the steel reinforcement that's visible above the door in these two photos. I wouldn't risk using a nice '63 door without this piece. It was introduced as a fix to address the vulnerability to cracking of the plastic doors. The piece is available for around $10 from various suppliers.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...d2ff0d74c9.jpg

Live well,

SJW

On the early doors, they are prone to cracking where the early lock insert goes in the cutout. I think that lock is the same as a late 50s early 60s pickup. I used to know but forgot

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...4bf33db712.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...1a7dfeed0f.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...56e03f24d0.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...13b360a35e.jpg
Hi,

Here are some pictures of what I have. The plastic door is in excellent shape but there is no evidence of it having black paint on it? It maybe a repro? The backing door is fiberglass and in good shape. that definitely looks original. I know I will need the silver insert that is between the two pieces, I would like to restore this piece since it is a one year onlypart.

Rich Harris

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...4bf33db712.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...1a7dfeed0f.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...56e03f24d0.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...13b360a35e.jpg
Hi,

Here are some pictures of what I have. The plastic door is in excellent shape but there is no evidence of it having black paint on it? It maybe a repro? The backing door is fiberglass and in good shape. that definitely looks original. I know I will need the silver insert that is between the two pieces, I would like to restore this piece since it is a one year only part.

Rich Harris

A former member restored a 63 glove box (click here)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-box-door.html

I am still confused as to if I have a NOS replacement plastic face cover or a repro? It has no evidence of ever being painted and it shows no wear. I also know it has been sitting around for a long time! The silver insert I will continue to reasearch. IIt appears to be available?

Thank You,
Rich Harris

Rich, I do not believe I have ever seen an NOS glove box face, saying that everything is a repro today. Also, I have no idea where that clear face you have came from, I would not use it or try to paint it. Look at post #2 in this thread and click on the link. That is what TrimParts has available to use.

This one had to come from somewhere? According to the person I got it from he came accross it over 20 years ago. When did the repros start production?

I got my project car about 20 years ago after bugging the guy for 10 years to buy it. He had owned it for 10 years, and early on, bought a repro glove box door that he gave me with the car. So I would say maybe 30 years

That would explain it, but was the repro you got clear plastic?

In talking to my corvette pals over the weekend we do not think that reproduction 1963 glove box doors were produced twenty years ago? This is a one year only plastic door. Would they repro a one year only glove box door twenty years ago? Possibly since it was plastic it was the easiest to repro? I am going to bring it to Carlise next month.....it will be a good conversation piece!

I got my 63 door from Trim Parts in 1999.

I have enjoyed this line of questions about the clear plastic door and hope you get an answer. I just finished the easiest job on my 64 so far. It was replacing the glovebox lock! One Phillips head and that was it. I got to thinking about the clear plastic piece and after reading about the guy with the clear floor mats it made me think that it could be a protective cover for the fragile face of the door. The aluminum plastic-covered original doors are so easily scratched that this could have been made to protect that area. It even has the indented place for the Corvette emblem so that it will lay flat. What do you think?

Interesting point, could be possible?

Thank You

More that 25 years ago 63 glove box door faces appeared in Hemmings Motor news for sale. I talked to the owner of Trim Parts and he said the faces were not to be sold separately at that time which prompted an investigation. The faces were stolen from his factory as he is the only one that had the molds.
The faces never showed up again in Hemmings again and the guys who stolen them were shut down. Today you can buy faces from Trim legally

This is getting interesting! So where did this glove box face I have come from? My questions are:

Is this face I have from an original mold? It looks pretty good!

If they were not sold separately how did the person I bought this from get one?

Is this piece from the stolen lot illegally sold?

And the plot thinkens....Thank You!

Gm never sold glove box door faces as a component. Two molds existed GM and Trims that I know of
I have been doing Corvette parts for almost 50 years and always ready to learn and not many things surprise me anymore.
I have no answers to your questions
Sorry