1968 Headlamp Bezels

[Alan S.]

Were all 68s produced with stamped metal Headlamp Bezels? I know there are replacements made in fiberglass and plastic.

[Paul O.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

Alan yes they were all metal. Paul 18046

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

Were all 68s produced with stamped metal Headlamp Bezels? I know there are replacements made in fiberglass and plastic.

To add to Pauls post: … As were all 1969-1972 and somewhat beyond -- although at some point later in the C3 years the plastic bezels became PRODUCTION.

BTW: Although it is a small point I wouldn't describe these bezels as stamped metal. They were aluminum alloy (what is commonly called "pot metal") die castings. The appearance of stamped metal (and I don't think there were any stamped metal headlamp bezels) is very different than cast metal.

[Richard F.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

The 68-only bezels did not have holes for the headlight washer nozzles that the later years had.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

The 68-only bezels did not have holes for the headlight washer nozzles that the later years had.

Richard------


Later 1972 also used the bezels without the holes. In fact, they were the exact same bezels as were used for 1968. After 1968, GM discontinued the 68 bezels and replaced them for both PRODUCTION and SERVICE with the 69 style with nozzle holes. Then, in 1972 they "brought back" the 1968 bezels (for PRODUCTION only), including the original 1968 part numbers.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

Terry------


Yes, the 68-72 bezels were definitely a casting. However, I don't know if it was aluminum or zinc diecast. I'm pretty sure it was zinc diecast, though. The headlight supports and housings were aluminum, though.

The plastic bezels were first used for the 1973 model year and became SERVICE for all 1968-72 in March, 1973. I suppose it's possible that some very early 1973's used the 1968 and 1972 style metal bezels, though. I do not think that the plastic bezels were actually fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) as they are often attributed to be. I think they're just some sort of "plain, 'ol" non-reinforced plastic material, perhaps ABS plastic.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

As soon as I posted I thought about the possibility of a zinc casting -- probably would be less expensive than aluminum back then. I almost edited my post, and then thought the main point was the manufacturing operation and not the material so I let it go.

I didn't know the plastic bezels started as soon as 1973. I'll try to remember that one.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

If you really want to get into the D-shaped holes:

There were some bezels with holes on the vertical surface between the headlamps and some with them on the horizontal surfaces. I know my 1970 (and I suspect your 1969, Joe) have the holes on the horizontal surfaces. That makes removal without scratching the paint a challenge. Some time later (exactly ??) the holes for the washer nozzles moved to the vertical surface to make bezel removal less troublesome.

Probably a whole lot more information than anyone wants to know about those pesky useless nozle positions.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

Were all 68s produced with stamped metal Headlamp Bezels? I know there are replacements made in fiberglass and plastic.

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm looking for a set (left and right) for my 68.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm looking for a set (left and right) for my 68.

They're out there. My late 71 needed ones w/o the washer holes and they were not too hard to find. Really, any metal ones you find w/o the washer holes are correct. When walking around a swap meet (or if you trust eBay) you can tell the correct ones from several feet away.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 Headlamp Bezels

Really, any metal ones you find w/o the washer holes are correct.
Patrick

Patrick and Alan-------

Yup, that's how it is.