Bubba63

My shifter plate has seen better days, and I'm looking to replace it. It came, with the console, from a swap meet in Bloomington, IL. in the late 80's, so it is not original to the car. I have purchased a replacement plate (supposedly nos, on the right in the photo), but it seems the letters and numbers are not as crisp as I expected. So I'm looking for a couple of close up photos of what's in the general population of 63's. Thanks!

GJM

65GGvert

Looks fine to me, but here's one that says it's NOS on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/p/Corvette-NOS-Shift-4-Speed-Indicator-Plate-1963-3823432/658425101

Bubba63

Yes, that seems to have better definition especially the two. thanks

GJM

Critter1

The original 3823432 plate for 63 was discontinued by GM in early 1971 or 72. Then it was re-released about a year later. The new part looked different than originals in two ways. One was the quality, as you described. The other was the plating.

Originals were a shiny plating but the post 1973 part was a bit dull, leaning towards grey instead of the original shine. I've tried to lightly polish one of the re-issue plates but it never looked even close to originals.

If you try to polish it, the process removes the grain.

Below is an original 1st release shiny plate. It's difficult to see the real shine in the photo though.

project63

Mike - the originals were bright dip anodized as were the console pieces themselves. This gave them the matching finish. Later release plates were only clear anodized, hense the dull aluminum appearance.

Critter1

Thanks Tracy. That sounds exactly right.

The finish on my NOS console exactly matches the finish on my NOS 1st release shift plate.

Many decades ago, when showing my 63 at NCRS, I temporarily installed an NOS console and shift indicator plate. The difference in color/brightness was quite obvious.

I later found two NOS early design shift plates and they matched the brightness of the console.

Bubba63

Critter1,

Ok That explains it. Especially the lack of shine on my replacement part. Guess I'll start looking for a first design shift plate and, while I'm at it, a 63 gas emblem with the correct artwork--Sasquatch probably has them both... Thanks

GJM

Frankie the Fink

This is one of my two Andy Cannizzo-restored 63 shifter consoles including the shift pattern emblem. Andy strips the anodizing off, restores the consoles removing pits, scratches, scuffs.....recreates the grooves and satiny "brushed look" perpendicular to the grooves and then bright dip anodizes everything as factory. None better.

Critter1

That looks really good.

Frankie the Fink

This particular restorer is awesome but getting 'long in the tooth' like many of us; I'm afraid when he gets his current Z06 project done he's quitting the biz - so I got the spare console done...