Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

[Owen L.]

My '72 has its original deluxe interior but that it does not have any of the wood veneer overlay on the center console. It also doesn't appear as if any glue remains from one being previously installed. I can imagine that it may have come loose and a previous owner took it off but I'm curious and also looking for confirmation that it should have it.

My searches here seem to indicate it was originally there.

[Ron G.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

Owen,

I have been looking at 1972 Corvettes for years, and every one of them with the custom deluxe leather interior has had a simulated wood grain console. Also, just an FYI, the 70 and 71 simulated woodgrain has a different configuration than the 72.

- Ron

[Owen L.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

Thank you, Ron. One more item added to the To-Do list.

[Joe L.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

My '72 has its original deluxe interior but that it does not have any of the wood veneer overlay on the center console. It also doesn't appear as if any glue remains from one being previously installed. I can imagine that it may have come loose and a previous owner took it off but I'm curious and also looking for confirmation that it should have it.

My searches here seem to indicate it was originally there.

Owen------


As far as I know, all with custom interior had the wood veneer console plate insert. In fact, since it was an advertised feature of custom interior, buyers might have felt "cheated" if they had a car delivered without it.

If your console plate shows no sign of the insert ever having been installed, it's possible the console plate was replaced at some point. The 1972 inserts, GM #3996816 w/o C-60 and 3996817 w/C-60, were discontinued in January, 1973 and replaced by GM #333517 and 333518, respectively. The latter were the 73-76 inserts and were discontinued without supercession in January, 1993 and July, 1996, respectively.

The original inserts used over the 1970-72 period were a genuine wood veneer. Reproductions are not authentic in this regard.

[Leonard M.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

If real, it has real wood veneer, Not "Simulated".

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

The original inserts were real wood veneer as Leonard mentions above.The earlier versions of the insert had a fairly thick metal backing. It is really rigid compared to the later versions and for sure the GM Service Replacements Joe lists. They will usually start to split with age and even turn black in some sections from spills or moisture just like your old furniture would. If you remove the insert you find the original standard pebbled metal surface. Many guys just clean off the adhesive and repaint the black. I've been having fun restoring these the last couple years. You can purchase the woodgrain veneer in various woods walnut, oak, or teak etc. Just remove the old wood veneer from the metal backing on your original. Trace out the pattern cut it out, and glue it to the metal backing. Then stain to match original. I use Danish Walnut Oil stain and Min-Wax paste wax to get the finish.
All the inserts sold today by the Corvette vendors is really a thin piece of aluminum backing covered with simulated vinyl woodgrain.
The NOS GM Service Replacements Joe lists are also simulated wood but they are better quality than today's reproductions if you can find them for sale.
I have attached a few photos below:
Photo 1 - My 73 deluxe console after I restored the insert.
Photos 2 & 3 - Side by side examples of today's reproduction on the left and a restored one on the right.
Photo 4 & 5 - NOS GM Part #362914 original packaging (Not for Sale!) and the insert from 1978.

PS...
The woodgrain used for 76 deluxe interiors appears to be a little bit different than the earlier cars. It has more of a Teak look than the darker walnut we see on 75 and earlier C3's. I've added a photo from an original 76 unrestored console and the door panel to match. Just to show the differences. Keep in mind that all wood ages differently over the years depending where the car is stored and how it was cared for.

[Tom L.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

One way to reproduce these would be using a laser cutter. A real good photo on a plain white surface and good accurate measurements would be all that is needed. The only problems I would see is there would be no metal backing and the finish of the edges. They would be charred to some degree. Would love to try something like this but I don't have access to a machine for a while. Schools are likely going to be closed until September.

[William G.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

I was able to successfully make a set of wood inserts for the console and the door panels for my 70 LT1. If you are careful it is not that difficult.Matching the wood color and grain was the most difficult. I bought several rolls of veneer which is available in all sorts of wood and was not all that expensive. I bought a repro vinyl insert for the console and removed the vinyl, leaving the aluminum stamping. I glued that to the veneer and then using very sharp #11 Exacto blades I carefully cut the veneer using the aluminum backer as a template. Make sure that the aluminum template fits into your console well before you start.There are several very thin sections but with care it is not that difficult to do. As for the door panel inserts, the original wood that was in my 70 was bonded onto steel backers . Use those backers and the same method to glue the veneer onto the backers and cut the veneer. A little finessing, sanding and a finish coat did the trick.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

One way to reproduce these would be using a laser cutter. A real good photo on a plain white surface and good accurate measurements would be all that is needed. The only problems I would see is there would be no metal backing and the finish of the edges. They would be charred to some degree. Would love to try something like this but I don't have access to a machine for a while. Schools are likely going to be closed until September.

Tom,
They key is you have to get the veneer with the paper backing. If not the wood just comes apart. I bought the veneer from a company on ebay. Not sure if I'm permitted to use their name on here. I use a small straight edge and a very sharp ex-acto knife to cut it out.. Here is an example.
It really is a fun inexpensive project, with good results.

[William G.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

If you bond the veneer to the metal backers you will not have any cutting issues. Cut the veneer in multiple passes so as not to breakout the grain when going cross grain.

[Tom L.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

I'm sure it could be done well by hand. However if you've ever seen the precision of a laser cutter, and had access, you'd never look at an exacto knife again (for this purpose).

[Ron G.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

Leonard,

Veneer or simulated. What is the difference, I answered the question. My reply may not have been technically correct, but in regard to all 72's with deluxe interior they all had the wood grain on the console.

- Ron

[Owen L.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

Leonard,

Veneer or simulated. What is the difference, I answered the question. My reply may not have been technically correct, but in regard to all 72's with deluxe interior they all had the wood grain on the console.

- Ron

Al Knoch says they don't carry the console overlay and their deluxe door panels use a "Laminated" wood grain insert. Do you know if this a Pergo-like "hardwood" ? (i.e., not a wood at all) I am experienced working with wood, so making my own console overlay isn't a big deal, but I'd rather not buy expensive door panels that need to be modified to make them '72 correct.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

Remember, the stuff on your countertops is called laminate.

I have not seen a reproduction door panel with real wood inserts.

If you have a black interior, I'd look for original black door panels and if needed replace the veneer. The other colors are much more difficult to find.

[Reba W.]

Re: Did all '72s with deluxe interior have wood console trim?

Even GM began using the vinyl inserts in service. I have NOS panels from mid-1980s and they have the vinyl. I have looked many years for originals but am finally ready to install these as they are better than what is on the car.

Owen, think of contact paper for what they are calling "laminate."