70 and later consoles dash panels

[Dennis D.]

Got into this discussion elsewere. My 70 has longer tips on the dash panels, then those of the 71 and on. I believe this is correct. A least that's how they appear in my Dobbins Vette Vues.(p114 &197)
Keep hearing about tabs on the bottom of the pad at the tips that locate the panel and align it with console.(stitching) My 70 has no such tabs and my passenger side has the usual bend out.

Can someone explain this tab thing? Pic would be great.

[Warren F.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Dennis,

The newly revised '70 to '72 TIM & JG manual should have addressed this in the interior section portion. They DID NOT, the unique differences between the 1970 model and 1971 should have been addressed on page 15.

Reba Whittington is an interior judge for '70 to '72 years. I guess this improved re-design of the dash & forward console may have inadvertantly gotten overlooked.

This is an important distinction between these years and should have been written about and drawings shown for illustration purposes.

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Warren... Right didn't see any info in my tim & jg either. I just figured GM improved the design for 71 since I have seen more cars with bent tips than are straight on 70's. (judged and unjudged)

Curious about how the new design with the "tab" changed the console design, and how the tab's retained in the console.

[Warren F.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

I'd like to know if this re-design came about with the beginning of the 1971 production or if it was a running change made during the model year?

[Alan S.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Hello,
On my 71, mid- January built coupe, the tab is part of the console. It's part of the white plastic that the side screws that mount the console to the metal support on the trans tunnel go through. When the console is installed the tab sticks out forward about 1/2" and is down about 1/2" from the top forward corner of the console. The dash pad has a groove in it that slides over the tab and really does align the 2 parts.
I would love to take a picture and post it. Can someone give me some advice about buying a digital camera? I'm an old Nikon FM guy and have no idea what to get.
Regards,
Alan

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Hello,
On my 71, mid- January built coupe, the tab is part of the console. It's part of the white plastic that the side screws that mount the console to the metal support on the trans tunnel go through. When the console is installed the tab sticks out forward about 1/2" and is down about 1/2" from the top forward corner of the console. The dash pad has a groove in it that slides over the tab and really does align the 2 parts.
I would love to take a picture and post it. Can someone give me some advice about buying a digital camera? I'm an old Nikon FM guy and have no idea what to get.
Regards,
Alan

Alan,,, A pic is worth a thousand works, but I think I get your explanation. To sum it up The dash pad doesn't have the tab, but a slot, that slides over the tab on the console located 1/2 down from the top stitching facing forward(firewall) Thanks can't help with the camera thing

[Alan S.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Yes!!! Until you see what the tab really does it seems to serve no purpose. Once you start to install the right and left dash pads it becomes clear how they're used.
Regards,
Alan

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Alan... my scanners down so this is a crude attempt to illustrate. This the idea?

[Alan S.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Hi Dennis,
Your drawing is REALLY quite close, except that the tab is part of the reinforcing strip you show.
I found a photo that barely shows the tab sticking out on the driver's side. It looks like a pennant. The one on the passenger's side on my console is more of a triangle in shape.



Hope this helps a little!
Regards,
Alan

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Hi Dennis,
Your drawing is REALLY quite close, except that the tab is part of the reinforcing strip you show.
I found a photo that barely shows the tab sticking out on the driver's side. It looks like a pennant. The one on the passenger's side on my console is more of a triangle in shape.



Hope this helps a little!
Regards,
Alan

Alan.... This pic is very good. Another difference I notice is how the extensions fit into the different models. The 71 console front edge seema a bit more vertical than the 70, and the 71 extension site more reward than the 70. Very interesting Thanks

[Alan S.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Dennis,
Are you saying that Chevrolet changed things from year to year? That hardly seems likely or possible.
A picture IS worth....
Regards,
Alan

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Dennis,
Are you saying that Chevrolet changed things from year to year? That hardly seems likely or possible.
A picture IS worth....
Regards,
Alan

Not exactly sure what you mean. As with many other poor designs of the 70 model,(front grille studs, headlight washers and such),improvements were made.

In the case of the dash pad, (70 to 71),we know it was changed at some point in the 71 production. Along with that, there would have needed to be a modification to the console. Which as you describe, there was.

Appears to have been an attempt to correct a problem, and from what most 71 owners have said, their pad to console alignment is right on.The console change is more easily understood, and seen, in Dobbins "Vette Vues "p114 and 197.

Think thats why I like 70's

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

One of the seven NCRS founders, Jay Kellogg, was involved in the dash interior design/build in the 1968-1972 era. One of the meets years ago he gave an informal, spur-of-the-moment tech session on the 1970-1972 changes. To say it was fascinating would be an understatement.

Those "points" on the 1970 dash were changed because of a high rate of damage to the parts in shipping and install, according to him.

[Alan S.]

Re: 70 and later consoles dash panels

Dennis,
I was being a smarty pants. In fact I am often amused, sometimes confused, and at times frustrated by the multitude of changes that occur for so many reasons when a company is trying to build thousands cars that people will buy and they can make a profit on. But, at the same time I can only imagine what the workers and management faced each day.
Regards,
Alan