70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

[Daniel K.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

The flash knob on my February 9, 1971 build date Corvette, with a standard column, is identical to Alan's flash knob (chrome appearance with the heft of metal, stubby, no screw, black lettering on the end not the stem).

[Dan D.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

Reading through this thread, I had a couple of thoughts. Obviously, from the build dates we see what would appear to be some discrepancy. That being said, it would also seem reasonable that most, if not all of these knobs are probably "original."Let's face it; Who changes a flasher knob? Having worked for General Motors for over 40 years, I know we used multiple and sometimes intermittent suppliers for components. The result was that often there were some minor differences in the same product lines. The prime objective was to keep the assembly line rolling. And, "back in the day'" when we didn't really have to answer for whatever we did (like today), we would have taken stuff off the local Sears shelves if it meant we could keep the line going...just a thought

P.S. If memory serves, the primary source for steering sub assemblies then was Saginaw Gear...I'm sure they made all the "Tilt Wheels" and probably most of the standard columns. They would have had suppliers for stuff like knobs and such. Anyway, for what it's worth

[Gary B.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

I am not sure I disagree with you.

But I do "alot" of work on these cars for other people, but I'm trying to slow that down some now. I can remember in the last several years trying to get the remnants of the broken stud out of the flasher assembly to put a new knob on. And one of those cars was a fairly low mileage 70, red LT1. How do you break them? Hit them with your knee? Pull to hard? I don't know. All I know, I have had to fix a few of them.

I just want to put in the next revision what we think is "common factory production" just for the above reason. I want to correct the manual, so people will quit changing them to suit the manual.

If I owned a car with something different, an anomaly, and I knew (ok, thought) it was original, I would leave it alone. Even if the judges don't agree with it. Over time, we all might learn from it.

I'll leave this up for a little longer and see if we get any more. I think we are seeing a pattern though.

I appreciate everyones input.

Gary B

[Daniel K.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

Gary -- I want to say thank you for your efforts on this. I'm new to the hobby, to NCRS, and to Corvette ownership. You can't imagine how dog-eared my copy of the 4th edition is!
I've summarized the results from the 12 responders to your survey. I left out Mark (for now) pending a picture. I think we may see a pattern, at least for 1971 model year, but that may be in the eye of the beholder.
I'm calling the long metal/chrome knob with FLASHER written on the stem #1, the short metal/chrome knob with FLASHER written on the end #2, and the black plastic knob #3 (can't tell if there is more than one type of these).
Of the 12 responders:
All 4 with 1971 cars equipped with tilt/tele have #1.
All 2 with 1971 cars equipped with standard columns have #2. (Maybe we should call for a larger sample pool here.)
5 of 6 responders with 1972 cars have #3. Gary's early '72 with tilt/tele has #1 -- seems probably safe to assume that was extra '71 stock getting used up?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

I'll be checking an early 1972 tomorrow to see what flasher might be on that car.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

1972 #7564, standard column, black plastic with screw in the middle.

#2049 tomorrow; standard column

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

#2049 tomorrow; standard column

Black plastic screw-in button that looks identical to my 1971 posted above.

[Michael B.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

Gary,

Sorry for the delay, but I just got home from a couple months in Colorado.

I've got two 72's, one built June 13th, the other June 14th. Since I've had these cars less than a year, and haven't started any restoration work on either one, there is a lot I have yet to notice. It appears that both of these tilt/tele columns had the black plastic knobs with the screw in the middle. Unfortunately, what started out as black knobs are now UV destroyed, gray things with no discernible lettering. They're both a mess. I guess I know what I'll be looking for next week in Carlisle.

My April 15th, 1971 tilt column has the long silver knob with "Flasher" on it. I'm attaching a photo.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

It appears that both of these tilt/tele columns had the black plastic knobs with the screw in the middle. Unfortunately, what started out as black knobs are now UV destroyed, gray things with no discernible lettering.

The gray coloring is not unusual as they age.
I put some vinyl conditioner on mine before judging and it darkened it enough that it passed. The lettering on mine was still easily visible, though.

You can probably paint it black and then paint in the letters if you wish.

[Don L.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

Vinyl conditioning is a good idea. I too did this and it turned out just fine, albeit temporary. In fact, I conditioned the heat/defrost and temperature wheels too.

I would advise, however, that if you intend to paint, don't condition. Paint doesn't like conditioner at all!

[Michael B.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

Thank you both for the advise.

[Clark E.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

The flasher knob on my 1970( I've owned the car since 1972) is identical to the one Alan Struck pictured. The build date was 3/23/70 and the car has a standard column...Clark

[Dan A.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

The flasher knob on my 72, build date A26, is the chrome plated one with "flasher" stamped in it. It looks identical to the one in Post #7. It has the T&T column.

[Roy V.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

My car is a late 72 build (July of 1972) so it may be outside of the OP's timeline.
but I went ahead and took the picture...so i'm going to post it.

Color - chrome
Style - long
Material - pot metal (pretty hefty for its size)
Tilt/Tele steering column
Build date - July 13, 1972

[Phil W.]

Re: 70-72 4-way flash knob Survey

Mine is same as pictured by Alan Struck. 1971 #6224 build date Jan. 11 1971. Standard Column.
I've owned the car since 1985