C3 69' window crank knob color question

[Joseph H.]

The judging guide indicates that all 69' window crack knobs are black. The restoration guide by Richard Prince indicates GM used a mix of black and opaque knobs. I have an early sept 68' car that has the opaque knobs, who is correct? Anyone out there with a 69' with the opaque GM window cranks?

Thanks, Joe

[John C.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

Joe

Opaque or black are correct. My Dec. 68 built car has opaque.

John

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

Since "opaque" means "not transparent" or "not translucent", exactly what color is an "opaque" knob?

Perhaps opaque is not the correct word to describe these knobs? I would suspect that what is being described is the clear/milky/semi-translucent knobs similar to what I've got on my 1970 Cutlass.

Please let me know if I'm correct in my assumption and description. A fully black/red/blue/etc knob would be opaque as it does not allow light to go through. The knobs I'm familiar with in many GM cars - like my 70 Cutlass - are not opaque.

Patrick

[John C.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

Clear or semi-translucent would be a better word to describe them. After 40 years they are more yellow colored.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

Since "opaque" means "not transparent" or "not translucent", exactly what color is an "opaque" knob?

Perhaps opaque is not the correct word to describe these knobs? I would suspect that what is being described is the clear/milky/semi-translucent knobs similar to what I've got on my 1970 Cutlass.

Please let me know if I'm correct in my assumption and description. A fully black/red/blue/etc knob would be opaque as it does not allow light to go through. The knobs I'm familiar with in many GM cars - like my 70 Cutlass - are not opaque.

Patrick

Patrick-----


The GM nomenclature for the knobs in question is "CLEAR". Incidentally, these "clear" knobs can be dyed to more-or-less simulate the colored knobs used for 1967-68.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

Patrick-----


The GM nomenclature for the knobs in question is "CLEAR". Incidentally, these "clear" knobs can be dyed to more-or-less simulate the colored knobs used for 1967-68.

So, Richard Prince's book incorrectly uses the word "opaque" which is what I suspected.

[John H.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

The same handle and "clear" knob was used on '69 Camaros, and they yellow with age just like the one in John's photo up above.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

The same handle and "clear" knob was used on '69 Camaros, and they yellow with age just like the one in John's photo up above.

I suspect that it was used throughout the GM line (which you would probably confirm), as I remember them in our 69 Buick but also as noted still have them in my 70 Cutlass.

As noted, I wanted to be sure everyone had the correct terminology.

Patrick

[Joseph H.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

Yes, I have the clear knobs, sorry for the word opaque as I did get that from the Prince book. So, either clear or black knobs are correct for a 69'. How do we get the TIM manual updated?

Thanks everyone for the info.

Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

I suspect that it was used throughout the GM line (which you would probably confirm), as I remember them in our 69 Buick but also as noted still have them in my 70 Cutlass.

As noted, I wanted to be sure everyone had the correct terminology.

Patrick

Patrick------


The original 1968-69-era part number for the black handle knob, GM #7752485, was an Inland-Fisher-Guide part number. It was used for Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Chevrolet applications.

The SERVICE part number for the last 25+ years, GM #20348200, is applicable to ALL GM car lines. So, I expect it also replaced similar window crank handles used on Buick, Cadillac and GMC truck applications. The 20348200 is also an Inland-Fisher-Guide part number.

By the way, the 20348200, which is still available today (for about 40 bucks, GM list), while slightly different in a few aspects from the originals, is, functionally, FAR superior to the original 7752485----FAR, FAR superior.

[Dick W.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

1968 had colored knobs color keyed to the interior. 1969 had black. We have NEVER seen anything other than that during Bow Tie judging

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

1968 had colored knobs color keyed to the interior. 1969 had black. We have NEVER seen anything other than that during Bow Tie judging

Dick-----


Early 1969's were supposed to have used handle GM #8732961. However, I don't know what color knob this handle had. However, I do know this: GM #8732961 was discontinued in April, 1975 and replaced by GM #8732962. This one digit part number change implies there may only have been a difference in the color of the knob. For example, the 8732961 might have had a black knob and the 8732962 might have had a clear knob.

The GM #8732962 was discontinued in April, 1978 and replaced by GM #20037597. The latter definitely has a clear knob.

So, I would say it's a situation of EITHER:

1) The GM #8732961, GM #8732962, and GM #20037597 all had clear knobs, OR,

2) The GM #8732961 had a black knob and the GM #8732962 and 20037597 had a clear knob.

[John C.]

Re: C3 69' window crank knob color question

Dick

Terry Michaelis's private collection has a 12,000 mile L88 that is both a 4 star bowtie and Bloomington Gold Benchmark that has "clear" knobs.

The picture of the clear knob I posted is of a 3 times topflight car (including regionals and national), and has never been deducted for the knob color.

John