Interior quarter trim pieces

[Robert S.]

My 71 convertible has the cut out in the quarter trim for the optional shoulder harnesses. However, the car does not have shoulder harnesses, and no evidence it ever did. So, looks like I'll be searching for pieces without the cut out.

But, are there any reported cases in which cars without shoulder harnesses have had the pieces with the cut out originally installed?

[Sal C.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

I don't think you will find them. I believe they were all cut regardless of the option.

[Robert S.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

I thought about that also, as I do not see anywhere in the AIM where different part numbers are referenced for cases with and without shoulder harnesses.

[Robert R.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Same is true for '73. Hole is there on mine, but no shoulder belt option either.
I did see a picture of a '75 convertible in the Vette Vues '73 to '77 book that did have the trim piece without the cutout hole.

[Joe L.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

I don't think you will find them. I believe they were all cut regardless of the option.

Sal and Robert------


I agree. 1968-69 convertibles did not have the cutout, but I think that all 1970-73 convertibles did. I'm not sure about 74-75, though. I expect they had the cut-out, too, but I'm not sure of it.

[Robert S.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Thanks for helping to clarify this. I think I was looking at some earlier c3's without the cut out, and thus my confusion.

[Edward J.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Robert, I remember reading that shoulder belt was a opition on the conv. and std. on the coupe, thus the rear trim pieces had cut out reguardless.

[Robert S.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Ed, coupes and convertibles use a different part number for the quarter trim piece. For 71, I've looked at this more it looks like only one part is called out for the convertible, and it does have the cut out. I did not look at coupes.

[Edward J.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Robert, you could be right, I have a 72 maybe it pretains to my year only, does the judging manuel give any detail, I don't have mine in front of me.

[Robert S.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Ed, I don't recall what the judging manual said and don't have mine handy, either.

[Joe L.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Robert, you could be right, I have a 72 maybe it pretains to my year only, does the judging manuel give any detail, I don't have mine in front of me.

Edward------


The rear quarter trim panels which are the subject of this discussion are completely different for coupes versus convertibles.

[Edward J.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Joe, I answered in the beginning of this post stating the trim panels had the cut outs, even if it did not have the shoulder belts because I thought it was option on the conv. and the coupe was std. eqiup. somewhere the topic of part no. of conv. and coupe trim pieces came in.

[Paul L.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Sal and Robert------


I agree. 1968-69 convertibles did not have the cutout, but I think that all 1970-73 convertibles did. I'm not sure about 74-75, though. I expect they had the cut-out, too, but I'm not sure of it.

Joe,

The 1974 convertible did not have the RPO A85 cut-outs. When I installed shoulder belts I did that job myself. The aftermarket pre-cut versions are $300.00/pair!







Two cuts are offered and in fact if you look carefully you can see the outlines in the trim piece pic above. The early-1974 cut was 2 7/16 x 3 1/4" and late 1974 was 3 1/4 x 3 13/16". I chose the former but should have chosen the latter based on a May 1974 build date. But the larger opening intrudes into the sidewall of the piece and that did not seem to be a wise move. All works well so no regrets.

[Joe L.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Joe, I answered in the beginning of this post stating the trim panels had the cut outs, even if it did not have the shoulder belts because I thought it was option on the conv. and the coupe was std. eqiup. somewhere the topic of part no. of conv. and coupe trim pieces came in.

Edward------


Yes, I agree. The difference between coupe and convertible rear quarter trim panels was not the original subject of this thread. However, discussions that begin one way often digress into other areas.

The shoulder belts were standard on coupes and optional on convertibles throughout the entire 68-75 period. I just wanted to make sure that you understood that the rear quarter trim panels were completely different on coupes and convertibles irrespective of the shoulder belt issue.

[Joe L.]

Re: Interior quarter trim pieces

Joe,

The 1974 convertible did not have the RPO A85 cut-outs. When I installed shoulder belts I did that job myself. The aftermarket pre-cut versions are $300.00/pair!







Two cuts are offered and in fact if you look carefully you can see the outlines in the trim piece pic above. The early-1974 cut was 2 7/16 x 3 1/4" and late 1974 was 3 1/4 x 3 13/16". I chose the former but should have chosen the latter based on a May 1974 build date. But the larger opening intrudes into the sidewall of the piece and that did not seem to be a wise move. All works well so no regrets.

Paul------


The panels did change for the 1974 model year. In fact, there were TWO sets of panels used for 1974 but they are dependent on when the car was built. VERY early 1974 may have used GM #333337 and 333338 panels. Later used GM #339127 and 339128. All 1975 used the latter panels.

The 333337 and 333338 panels became the SERVICE panels for 70-73 models.

The 1968-69 panels were an interesting design. They used a plastic substrate material with a vinyl material stretched over the plastic to form the visible surface layer. I don't know if the original 70-73 panels were of this design. I would be interested to find out if any 70-73 owners with original panels could enlighten us.

I think that the 333337 and 333338 panels were of "monolithic" plastic material.

From what I can see in your photos, the 74-75 were also of the "monolithic" plastic material.

Are there any part numbers embossed on the rear of your panels?