66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

[Gary B.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

I think the paragon one looks much better than the NOS one.

I agree that the font and font style on the Paragon repro look quite close to the original. If I were judging it on it's own, without seeing it side by side next to an original, I'd be hard pressed to say what's wrong with the Paragon and therefore I personally wouldn't feel comfortable taking a deduct. For the NOS one, yes, that one seems to have a more obvious font problem. But, frankly, the Paragon repro would pass muster if I were judging.

Gary

[Ronald L.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

You guys are getting too picky. You want NOS and hate repro but the NOS die wore and they enlarged or degraded over time. You don't like the Paragon part either and it looks like for them they had the print and asked the suppleir to make it to original design, not to the worn out NOS part. Can't have it both ways, especaily when the original supplier is making it to the same process.

[Ara G.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Here is an example of those. Note, nobody seems to make a correct repo including GM's NOS

Alan, out f curiosity is the NOS one for a 63? I believe 63 shift patterns were unique in that they had the 4 tabs on the underside as the 64-67s did not. 63s also ad different appearing font. If you run your fingernail gently over the original patterns you will note that originals had the paint countersunk. It's not on top of the plate, it's recessed into the plate. Very easy to identify. Ara

[Gary B.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Ara,

The 2 or 3 NOS examples I've ever seen had the 4 tabs, so I think that's how all the service replacement ones came.

Gary

[Wayne M.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Here's an original off of (either) a '64 VIN 086xx or '65 VIN 101xx; got a box of parts from a father/son team that were converting their two cars to resto-rods.

Notice that the edge of the shift plate curves down on all 4 sides, for about the last 1/8" of the face surface. Probably to fit into the depression on the shift console without exposed sharp edges. Also, the characters are countersunk (as Ara mentions), probably so the ink would not wear off easily. Shot of backside shows (probably) the original glue.

[Alan D.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Yes, the NOS 4 spd was the 63 design with the four tabs, believe that's all that existed from GM. Know back in the 70's ordered those a number of different times to get a solid one however always got the 63 design. (agree on recess)

[Joe R.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Don't have any NOS 64-67 's but have these three 3 speed patterns. Might help with the font size.

JRDSCN3927.jpg

[R N.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Alan, out f curiosity is the NOS one for a 63? I believe 63 shift patterns were unique in that they had the 4 tabs on the underside as the 64-67s did not. 63s also ad different appearing font. If you run your fingernail gently over the original patterns you will note that originals had the paint countersunk. It's not on top of the plate, it's recessed into the plate. Very easy to identify. Ara

Ara et al, so much focus has been on the different fonts on the repro parts and NOS ones, but you hit the nail on the head here. I never knew that the shift pattern on originals were recessed/engraved. I checked my '66 last night and was very please to find it is an original! Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

original 66 shifter plate.jpg

[Enzo C.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Hi Richard do you have an original console 4 speed shift plate ?

[Richard M.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Enzo, No, I don't. I used the original on that car and never found nice originals or NOS.

Rich

[Ed S.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

I removed my original shift plate (4 speed, '64) with hot air from a hair dryer on the back and front sides and while doing so I gently worked a narrow box cutter blade under the plate as the glue softened. Got it off without damaging it. All those that made comments regarding the font of new vendor supplied plates vs. original are correct. Font on new stuff is a lot narrower than originals.

If you are replacing the ashtray door and "knob" (its really not a knob but not sure what to call it) and have purchased the complete kit (regardless of vendor) be sure to consider and purchase the two small white plastic (neoprene) channels or rails that the ashtray door rides in. These white plastic parts are not included in "the kit", they are sold separately - they really tighten up the action of the door nicely as it slides back and forth.

[R N.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

RIchard Fortier told me at one time he is or will be reproducing them. I have no idea where he is with that project as this was several months back. At that time I believed he had some 4-sp NOS pieces.

[Gary B.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

RIchard Fortier told me at one time he is or will be reproducing them. I have no idea where he is with that project as this was several months back. At that time I believed he had some 4-sp NOS pieces.

Kurt,

Richard Fortier has the experience to make a correct 4-sp shifter pattern plate. Richard knows how to create spot-on silk screened labels for air cleaner lids. I assume the shifter plate would be "printed" the same way. If Richard decides to repro the shifter plate, I predict the result will pass judging muster.

Gary

[Wayne M.]

Re: 66/67 4-speed console shifter plate help

Ara et al, so much focus has been on the different fonts on the repro parts and NOS ones, but you hit the nail on the head here. I never knew that the shift pattern on originals were recessed/engraved. I checked my '66 last night and was very please to find it is an original! Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]48933[/ATTACH]

Here's one off a '64 or '65 that I got in a box of parts that were left over from resto-mods.

64 or 65 shift pattern.jpg