*** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

[Blair K.]

I want to install my original 16" steering wheel back on to my N36 equipped early model '68. I am trying to locate an OEM '68 horn button (hard to find). Is this a '68 only part??? What characteristics does a '68 horn button have compared to later models - what am I to look for??? Is there a difference between standard and telescopic in regards to the horn button??? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Patrick H.]

1968 Corvette horn button

Have you looked in the new Judging Guide? If you read carefully on page 15 and note what is - and is not - said it should answer your questions.

[Joe L.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

I want to install my original 16" steering wheel back on to my N36 equipped early model '68. I am trying to locate an OEM '68 horn button (hard to find). Is this a '68 only part??? What characteristics does a '68 horn button have compared to later models - what am I to look for??? Is there a difference between standard and telescopic in regards to the horn button??? Thanks in advance for your help.

Blair------


The original 1968 horn button was a unique-to-1968 part and the same part was used for both standard and N-36 columns. They were originally available in the various interior colors. However, all of these were discontinued by 1970 and replaced by the 1969+ buttons. The original buttons were as follows:

GM #3913870----black

GM #3913871----saddle

GM #3913872----red

GM #3913873----medium bright blue

GM #3913874----gunmetal

GM #3913875----tobacco

GM #3913876----dark bright blue

I do not know how these buttons differed from the 1969+ buttons. However, I feel pretty confident that it was more than the white/black checkered sequence on one of the flags. I expect that the above part numbers were originally manufactured with both checkered flag configurations, one on early pieces and the other on later pieces.

[John C.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

Blair and Joe

Ignoring the whole checked flag configuration issue, when I compare my 68 horn button to my 69 standard column button they are exactly the same.

John

[Joe L.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

Blair and Joe

Ignoring the whole checked flag configuration issue, when I compare my 68 horn button to my 69 standard column button they are exactly the same.

John

John-----


It may very well be that the difference is not visible when the buttons are installed on the column. However, there must be some difference or the part numbers would not have changed. I highly doubt it has anything to do with the checkered flag configuration since I don't think that would have resulted in a part number change. Plus, the 1968 part numbers I mentioned were used for the entire 1968 model year and, apparently, the checkered flag configuration changed during the model year.

[John C.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

Joe

I found the difference. It is very subtle. I could mount my 68 horn button on my 69 just fine, but not the other way around. The mounting flange on the back of the button has a larger lip in 1968 than in 1969. You can see it in the attached photo of the back of the buttons. The 1968 is on the right.

The smaller lip was needed in 1969 because the column mounting hardware changed slightly. The attached photos show the change between the years. In 1969 the circular ring with ears on the column is of a slightly larger diameter. This also makes the diameter of the plastic insulators mounted on the ring larger. The large lip of the 1968 button interferes with the insulators. The smaller lip on the 1969+ buttons will clear them.

Blair

You should be able to use a 1969+ button just fine on your 68 and it will look correct when mounted.

John

[Joe R.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

GM serviced the horn buttons as 68-76 exc. T&T PN 3957946 and 69-76 with T&T PN 3957952. Both have been discontinued. They came not assembled as the ring needed painting the interior color. Trim Parts markets the same button configuration as GM and lists as 69-75 for both non T&T and T&T versions. As far as the flag configuration they market both so you can roll your own.

JR

[Blair K.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

Thanks gentlemen, for your time, info and pics - much appreciated. This helps me out greatly. My search for a OEM horn button continues. BK

[Terry M.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

Joe

I found the difference. It is very subtle. I could mount my 68 horn button on my 69 just fine, but not the other way around. The mounting flange on the back of the button has a larger lip in 1968 than in 1969. You can see it in the attached photo of the back of the buttons. The 1968 is on the right.

The smaller lip was needed in 1969 because the column mounting hardware changed slightly. The attached photos show the change between the years. In 1969 the circular ring with ears on the column is of a slightly larger diameter. This also makes the diameter of the plastic insulators mounted on the ring larger. The large lip of the 1968 button interferes with the insulators. The smaller lip on the 1969+ buttons will clear them.

Blair

You should be able to use a 1969+ button just fine on your 68 and it will look correct when mounted.

John

Very nice research job John. Well done.

[Joe L.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

GM serviced the horn buttons as 68-76 exc. T&T PN 3957946 and 69-76 with T&T PN 3957952. Both have been discontinued. They came not assembled as the ring needed painting the interior color. Trim Parts markets the same button configuration as GM and lists as 69-75 for both non T&T and T&T versions. As far as the flag configuration they market both so you can roll your own.

JR

JR------


Originally, the 69+ caps, both non-TT and TT, were available in all of the interior colors. The non-TT cap, GM #3957946, was originally the black version but later changed to disassembled and unfinished. I'm not sure about the TT cap, GM #3957952. It was originally the black version. Later, it may or may not have changed to disassembled and unfinished.

[Joe R.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

JR------


Originally, the 69+ caps, both non-TT and TT, were available in all of the interior colors. The non-TT cap, GM #3957946, was originally the black version but later changed to disassembled and unfinished. I'm not sure about the TT cap, GM #3957952. It was originally the black version. Later, it may or may not have changed to disassembled and unfinished.

Joe,

I have sold hundreds of both of these horn buttons and all I ever ordered was disassembled and unfinished. Probably from the late 70's until they were discontinued in the 90's.

JR

[Joe L.]

Re: *** 1968 Corvette horn button ***

Joe,

I have sold hundreds of both of these horn buttons and all I ever ordered was disassembled and unfinished. Probably from the late 70's until they were discontinued in the 90's.

JR

JR-----


All of the 69+ interior-colored horn buttons, non-TT and TT, were discontinued by February, 1971 and were replaced by the GM #3957946 and 3957952, respectively. I expect that's when those changed to the "disassembled and unpainted".