1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

[Christopher A.]

I thought you all would like to see the difference between my original horn button and the reproduction i purchased.

My original button had been taken apart by the original owner and i had to get creative to put it back together. Im not sure why he took it apart since the original emblem is in good shape. The retaining clip was missing, so i removed the one that was installed on the reproduction horn button. However, then i came to the delima of how to attach it to the original since the rivets had been drilled out. Solution, 3m panel bonding adhesive. I put c clips to hold the pieces in place while the epoxy dried. I have yet to find an product that is stronger than the 3m panel bonding adhesive. It is truly impressive.
Horn works like a champ now. It's a little pitted and weathered, but i like it better than the repro.

Oh and in case you are curious of the build date for my car due to the white corner in the flag, it is 4-18-66

[Chris E.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

Wow, big difference in thickness. Is there a difference between telescoping and non-tele columns as to which horn button was put on? Don't know. Maybe that explains the difference in thickness?

[Russ S.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

Tele uses a totally different horn cap.

[John H.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

The one on the left appears to be a '67 horn button.

[Christopher A.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

I suppose anything is possible and i see what you are saying now that i look at a few parts catalogs. I assumed that the button was thicker due to being a reproduction.
However, the emblem was firmly stuck below the cast in rivets and did not appear to have ever been removed. I think that the checkered flag with the white square in the left upper corner was only used in 66. Feel free to correct me if i am incorrect.
So, did they switch to a thinner design in the middle of 66, or is it confirmed that only the 67 horn button was a thinner design?

Thanks

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

The one on the left appears to be a '67 horn button.

John,

I agree with you. Enclosed is a photo of a NOS 3899365 horn button used on the 1967 Corvette. The total height of the cap measures about 9/16". The flag was a "white square" in the upper left.

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

I think that the checkered flag with the white square in the left upper corner was only used in 66. Feel free to correct me if i am incorrect.

Thanks

Christopher,

I think it's the other way around. I think 65,66 and early 67 had a black square in the upper left corner.
In fact, 63 and 64 used the same design and all had a black upper left corner.

I think that the first inserts that had a reversed color pattern showed up in early 67.

[Jack P.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

I suppose anything is possible and i see what you are saying now that i look at a few parts catalogs. I assumed that the button was thicker due to being a reproduction.
However, the emblem was firmly stuck below the cast in rivets and did not appear to have ever been removed. I think that the checkered flag with the white square in the left upper corner was only used in 66. Feel free to correct me if i am incorrect.
So, did they switch to a thinner design in the middle of 66, or is it confirmed that only the 67 horn button was a thinner design?

Thanks

My horn button 66 April build has the white in the upper left and black in the right corner

The emblem in the horn button is the same emblem that was used in the hub cap spinners, GM did not make different emblems, just applied them in different areas

See photo of un restored horn button

[William C.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

Rounded edge button was one of the "safety" requirements starting in '67. 65- 66 were the thicker design without the rounded outer edge.

[Christopher A.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

Once again, assuming does zero good. I assumed because the 66 gas cap emblem started out with a white corner, went to mixed in production, and then finally went to black, that the horn emblem might have been the same.

Thanks

[Chris E.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

I have seen a TON of cars, 65, 66 and 67 that have the white square in the upper corner of the flag for the horn button. I have seen all VIN ranges for 67 with the same.

I think it was a dual sourced part for GM, and the second supplier made it different than the first. How else could you account for that change?

You can't buy a repop with the white at the top, only black at the top.

My horn button has been on VIN 100183 since 1973. White in the top of the flag.

[Jack P.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

I have seen a TON of cars, 65, 66 and 67 that have the white square in the upper corner of the flag for the horn button. I have seen all VIN ranges for 67 with the same.

I think it was a dual sourced part for GM, and the second supplier made it different than the first. How else could you account for that change?

You can't buy a repop with the white at the top, only black at the top.

My horn button has been on VIN 100183 since 1973. White in the top of the flag.

What you do is buy a hub cap spinner emblem with the white flag at the top and use it for you horn button,

That is how I restored my horn button. All you need is the button. The emblems are still the same size and are used for both spinners and horns

Jack

[Chris E.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

Jack, I could see a couple people doing that, but not the volume I've seen. What is the likelihood that a horn button fails to the point where you need to do that kind of restoration to it? Pretty low, I'm thinking.

[Jack P.]

Re: 1966 Original Horn Button vs. Reproduction

Jack, I could see a couple people doing that, but not the volume I've seen. What is the likelihood that a horn button fails to the point where you need to do that kind of restoration to it? Pretty low, I'm thinking.

Yes , for most people who don't drive their cars much with the top down.

My car has over 250,000 miles on it, with most of it with top down. The colors faded from the sun. My point being, that it is the same emblem and a very easy restore with emblems selling for $10 with black or white in corner

Jack