1968 console wood trim?

[Philip J.]

I've done quite a bit of searching and can't find any info on wood veneers on a 1968 console/bezel. My early 68 car has wood decals (seems like fake veneer) applied, which I assumed someone had added, but after peeling a little of it up, the chromed metal underneath doesn't look like it's designed to be uncovered.

I want to know if any '68's came with trim like this, and if so how I can at least replace it on the ashtray cover - if not, figure out the best way to make it look stock!

I'm new to the board/NCRS and still waiting for the judging guide I just ordered, but am in the process of refreshing the interior and would like to have this sorted out ASAP, so any help would be appreciated!


Bezel
Shifter_Console

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

There was no wood trim on 68's from the factory. The 68 console guage panel is unique to later years in that it is a smooth finish.

[Philip J.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

Thanks for the response. Was the finish applied onto the units, painted, or was it integral? As far as I can tell, the shifter console is all chromed under the decal and the bezel appears to be painted black under the decal. Any ideas what I should do to restore mine?

The shifter console is labeled
3919789 CRC
3919791 CRC

And the Bezel is numbered
6480851

Thanks again,

-P.J

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

Any ideas what I should do to restore mine? -P.J

Right here:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=70769&highlight=trim+black+bezel&uid=1980

[Philip J.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

Thanks Patrick, that will be helpful. Any idea about the shifter console? As I said, the bezel piece appears to have been painted, but the shifter console doesn't have any paint on it from what I can see.

[Rick M.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

Welcome Philip........Here's what my stock '68 interior looks like. Hope that helps.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

Thanks Patrick, that will be helpful. Any idea about the shifter console? As I said, the bezel piece appears to have been painted, but the shifter console doesn't have any paint on it from what I can see.

Same method.

Actually, the instructions I linked to can be used for both.

[Philip J.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

If anybody's curious here's what I found after pulling off the trim... Whoever applied it actually ground down the labels and filled the emblem holes. I'm going to try painting it without the labels and hope it looks decent, but it's a shame... Who would want fake wood trim that badly!?

Shifter Console w/o Trim

[Jim T.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

Have you looked under the plate to see if your fiber optics can be reinstalled?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

If anybody's curious here's what I found after pulling off the trim... Whoever applied it actually ground down the labels and filled the emblem holes. I'm going to try painting it without the labels and hope it looks decent, but it's a shame... Who would want fake wood trim that badly!?

Shifter Console w/o Trim

Phillip-----


Wood trim was used on some 1970-75 C3's on the console plate. I believe this was included with the "custom interior" package available during those years. Perhaps someone modified and retrofitted a console plate from such a car to your car. They may also have obtained the wood insert from GM in SERVICE and applied it to an existing plate.

[Philip J.]

Re: 1968 console wood trim?

Jim, the fiber optic 'lens' piece was still attached to the panel, and the 'wires' were laying underneath (not attached). It looks like there is some corrosion on the ends where there's some metal, but they might still work.

Joe, I think it's a 68 original given the location of the labels that they ground down. You're right, they may have picked up a GM decal set and made it work. I still don't think that fake wood trim is worth that much effort, but who knows what people thought in the early 70's :P