63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

[Peter L.]

63 Gurus - I'm looking for information of the finish of the 63 glove box lock case. The 63-64 TIM&JG details the finish on the retainer strap piece that holds the GB lock assembly to the back of the GB door but does not indicate the finish of the GM lock case. Did the original GB lock assembly cases have a "natural" metal finish or a chrome plated finish like the 64-67 GB lock cases.

Inquiring mind want to know.
Thanks, Pete

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Pete, I just love questions like this about 63's. Because the answer is it depends.

As far as I know there we two locks used in 63 and maybe even more bezels that held them in place. I just looked at my original door, lock and bezel. My original lock (exterior side) looked just like the 64 to 67 lock. The glove box interior bezel is natural steel.

The second lock (exterior side) had the larger round chrome bezel. The glove box interior side bezel is chrome. But I'm sure this is a repro bezel. The second design bezel may have also been natural steel.

Also, the bezel with the first design lock is not interchangeable with the second design lock, they are different length bezels.

[Peter L.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Harry - I knew it couldn't be straight forward.

Here's what we're dealing with. When the car was judged the glove box lock assembly received a deduction because the GB lock case had the smaller diameter front bezel and the owner was told that was a "64 style" GB lock assembly and therefore incorrect for his 63 and that the glove box lock case front bezel should be the larger diameter. This particular "64 style" GB lock case is not chrome plated but has a natural finish.
A reproduction 63 configuration GB lock case with the large front bezel was purchased and this repop GB lock case is chrome plated and we're interested in knowing if that is "correct" or if the finish is supposed to be natural metal. The 63-64 TIM&JG does not address the finish on the GB lock case.

Pete

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Some additional info.

I purchased a repro glove box door for my 63 from Trim Parts. My old door was crazed and had broken plastic on the bottom. My original lock did not fit in the new door. I had to get the lock with the larger bezel on the exterior. Also, the new lock did not fit in the old door. One would ask themselves how this could happen. The answer is there were two locks and two doors in 63. Additionally, my car is an April car and it had the early lock and early door installed.

I have seen many 63's, mostly early cars and very few later cars with the 64 to 67 lock. The judge should not have deducted points for the lock.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Harry - I knew it couldn't be straight forward.

Here's what we're dealing with. When the car was judged the glove box lock assembly received a deduction because the GB lock case had the smaller diameter front bezel and the owner was told that was a "64 style" GB lock assembly and therefore incorrect for his 63 and that the glove box lock case front bezel should be the larger diameter. This particular "64 style" GB lock case is not chrome plated but has a natural finish.
A reproduction 63 configuration GB lock case with the large front bezel was purchased and this repop GB lock case is chrome plated and we're interested in knowing if that is "correct" or if the finish is supposed to be natural metal. The 63-64 TIM&JG does not address the finish on the GB lock case.

Pete

Peter,

Harry is correct. From start of 63 production, the IP door lock would use the small key hole shaped bezel, just like 64-67.
About 3 or 4 months into production, just about everything was changed including the lock assy and bezel, lock retainer and the door itself.

The 2nd design lock used a large round stainless bezel. The 2nd design retainer was chrome and if I remember correctly, the 2nd design lock case became chrome also.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Harry,

I have a November built 63 coupe with the early lock and experenced the same lock problem with my trim parts repro glove box door.

I wonder if they are making the early version now. It's been a few years since I purchased mine..

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Tim, Trim Parts only makes the later style. I will contact them and let you know what they tell me about a one-off door.

Cheers

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Pete, I guess we need to put it back the way it was. Apparently, as I've learned here this week, the glovebox came with the keyhole lock, the round bulb, and without a light bulb shield. Just the way I found it.

IMHO, there have been so many of these early 63 oddities on my car, I think we need a dedicated "early 63 only" JG

Thanks,

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

IMHO, there have been so many of these early 63 oddities on my car, I think we need a dedicated "early 63 only" JG

Thanks,

Michael,

In 1975, I started a list of all the changes that occured during the 63 model year. I still add items to the list from time to time, 36 years later.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

In 1975, I started a list of all the changes that occured during the 63 model year. I still add items to the list from time to time, 36 years later.

Jeez, Michael, There are about a dozen things I've changed, then changed back... I sure could use that list

Thanks,

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

I just got a reply from Trim Parts.

If you call and purchase a 63 door from them, for an additional $85.00 they will machine the lock hole to fit the 64 to 67 style lock.

The contact is:

Jim Pennekamp

TrimParts Inc
513-934-0815

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Thanks Harry,

That's good to know, maybe I can find someone that needs the new later style 63 door and order the early correct version for my November car.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

I just got a reply from Trim Parts.

If you call and purchase a 63 door from them, for an additional $85.00 they will machine the lock hole to fit the 64 to 67 style lock.

The contact is:

Jim Pennekamp

TrimParts Inc
513-934-0815

Harry,

I thought you had a later car that would have had the big round bezel?

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Michael, I do have an April car. Best I can tell it was built with an early door.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Corvette Glove Box Lock Case

Michael, I do have an April car. Best I can tell it was built with an early door.

Harry,

I would guess that the chances of that being the original door/lock are less than very slim. The 1st design door/lock was probably changed some time around December of 62. It's HIGHLY unlikely that "some left overs" were still laying around the plant.
The stock of 1st design doors would have been sent to scrap.