Is this a '68 only part?

[George W.]

On center storage door, contacts light plunger.
Is this stock, or added?
Only one I've ever seen.
Thanks,
G

[Terry M.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

George, I believe this part (the metal tab) was part of a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). Sometimes, but not always, those bulletins will say something like: "Customers expressing concern about blah, blah blah. You may use part #1234567 to address this concern. This will be installed at the assembly plant when hell freezes over (insert date), beginning with serial number 41234." I seem to remember scanning something about this for the new 1968-69 TIM&JG that contains dozens and dozens of TSBs, Service Information Bulletins, Product Campaigns, and articles from Chevrolet Service News. Feel free to look it up and see if the TSB says anything about whether it was installed in PRODUCTION or if it was over the counter only. I scanned too many of them to remember each and every one of them.

[George W.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

Thanks Terry,

Your TSB thought makes sense.

G

[Michael D.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

...I believe this part (the metal tab) was part of a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)...I seem to remember scanning something about this for the new 1968-69 TIM&JG...

I believe that's where I read about it. In the new 68-69 Guide.

[Henry J.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

George:

I have one just like it on my February-built 68. I can't say for certain when it was installed.

[Reba W.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

Here is the text from the new JG

For early 1968 cars the center lid is molded ribbed plastic that tended to warp with heat. GM changed this to a Masonite door on cars built after January 15, 1968. A technical bulletin (7-12-68) instructed dealers to use the new door (3941908) and a retainer (3937912) to insure contact with the plunger switch for the light. This change may have been done on earlier cars to correct customer complaints.

[George W.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

Here's the other side--stamped sp

[Henry J.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

In the new TIM&JG, Chevrolet Dealer Technical Service Bulletin No. 68-T-57 (July 12, 1968) discusses these parts under the heading of "Center Stowage Compartment Door - Hard to Open". As I understand this section, 3941908 refers to the "rigid masonite center stowage compartment door" and 3937942 refers to the new "lock retainer". There is no mention of the "shim" pictured by George Wright. I can't find mention of the shim anywhere.

[George W.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

Here is the text from the new JG

For early 1968 cars the center lid is molded ribbed plastic that tended to warp with heat. GM changed this to a Masonite door on cars built after January 15, 1968. A technical bulletin (7-12-68) instructed dealers to use the new door (3941908) and a retainer (3937912) to insure contact with the plunger switch for the light. This change may have been done on earlier cars to correct customer complaints.

Interesting.
Below is a photo of the center compartment door from my Mid March built '68. The other two doors are the Masonite material.
I have no way of knowing if this plastic door was original to the car, but everything else on this car (including tank sticker) looks to be as built by the General.
Wonder if these ribbed plastic doors were in GM stock for a period of time, and maybe the "bumper" was added?



G.

[Jack C.]

Re: Is this a '68 only part?

I have a January 22 built car and it has the hard plastic door. Warped like the rest.

Here is the text from the new JG

For early 1968 cars the center lid is molded ribbed plastic that tended to warp with heat. GM changed this to a Masonite door on cars built after January 15, 1968. A technical bulletin (7-12-68) instructed dealers to use the new door (3941908) and a retainer (3937912) to insure contact with the plunger switch for the light. This change may have been done on earlier cars to correct customer complaints.