Late 68 Gauge Bezel

[Mark F.]

The judging manual says that the gauge bezel for all 68 cars has a smooth finish. I've been reading where some vendors state that the late 68 models switched to a pebble finish. Mine currently has a pebble finish but I know it is not the original, as I have receipt showing it was purchased in 1989. My question is - How is it being judged on the field? Has this come up? My 68 coupe is an early August of 68 build date. Don't want to purchase another one if what I already have is correct.

Thanks

Mark Franken

[Gene M.]

Re: Late 68 Gauge Bezel

Your early 68 should have a smooth gauge bezel with a dummy button on the right side. Anything other than this is a deduction.

[Jack H.]

Hum...

if the car was built as you say, early August 1968, that makes it a VERY late '68 model year vehicle because August was the last month of production. Since the '68 model year began production in September of 1967, it'd be hard to imagine you meant to say it was built in August of '67 to make it a very early '68 vehicle.

There were MANY running changes in '68 and I'm NOT expert on each & every one, but the center console bezel is one thing that was unique to '68 cars having a smooth finish that changed to pebble grain for '69. The current version of the '68-69 Judging Guide doesn't document a running change during the '68 model year on this aspect of the car it simply says,

"The center metal gauge bezel is semi-gloss black. In 1968 the texture is smooth, while in 1969, it is pebble-grain...."

But, in general, it wasn't unusual for some late build cars in a given model year to go out the door wearing parts from the next MY if there was a parts shortage toward the model year build.

As to how an expert interior judge with skill in the art regarding '68 cars would rule on a pebble-grain bezel, I think I'd engage Reba Whittington on this one. Her knowledge is MUCH superior to mine. However, as the current edition of the JG book reads, there's no slack cut for '68 production vehicles wearing '69-style instrument cluster bezels...

[Rich G.]

Re: Hum...

Hi Jack

My 68 July 18 build has a pebble gauge bezel. This car was stored since 1973 and I have pictures of it when it was discovered. The bezel appears to be pebbled in those pictures. But, of course that doesn't really mean anything, as it could have been changed in the period from 68-73. I have been communicating with Mark offline on this. I have also tried to find out from other owners of late build 68's about their bezels, but I haven't found anyone that KNOWS theirs is original.

A while back I traded some messages with Reba about this and I think it was she that told me that for quite a while, the only bezels being reproduced were pebbled. Recently the smooth ones have been available. So that adds to the problem since a restoration that's several years old may have had no choice.

As soon as I get the bugs worked out in my Time Machine, I post the real story.

Rich Giannotti

[Mark F.]

Re: Hum...

My 68 coupe has an August 6, 1968 build date, so yes, it's definately a late production 68 model. Like I said earlier, I know my bezel isn't original, but just want to put the correct one on, so there won't be a problem on the judging field. Corvette Central in their catalog states that the pebble finish is on the late 68 bezel. Have no idea what their source of info is. I know Paragon sells the smooth finished bezel, not sure if anyone else does.

Mark 39215

[Terry F.]

Re: Hum...

I know that at one time the re-pop people were just taking the pebble grain bezels and wiping them down with some type of filler to make the grain go away. They would sand them and paint them and walla! You have a 68 bezel.

It should not be too hard for people to descide about this. There have to be other late 68 owners out there. If it happen, it must have been fairly late in production. My May built 68 was smooth.

Terry