Can a '72+ center bezel fit a '69-71 C3?

[pgtr]

Hello,

Clearing the cobwebs and starting to get after my projects again...

Quick question on center console guage bezels... - ya know the ones that always crack up on top!

Can a '72-'76 center gauge bezel be retrofitted or modified to be used in a '69-'71 cleanly and look 'correct'? I think the seatbelt switch has be transferred somehow but I 'think' that can be done...?

thanks for any info

 

[gooney0]

Except for the seatbelt light / button, I don't see why not.

-Gööney0

 

[alexnelsen]

The later model small gauge bezel will fit into the space of the older bezel. However the small red warning lights on the left side of the bezel will not work. You cannot install the seatbelt light and button.

There is a small shroud that funnels the light to the lens and the back plate is different as well.

All in all, you are better off using the correct style.

Alex

:bang:bang

 

[pgtr]

Gotcha - thanks!

I had run across a good price on a later style that I thought might work in my early application but was aware of some sort of difference in the light/switch on the left side.

But I don't have the two in front of me to compare to figure out if I could somehow finagle or glue the light/switch from a 69-71 into a 72+ bezel.

And I didn't want to buy one just to experiment and learn the hard way!

I think I'll stick w/ getting an earlier bezel and pass on this 'good' deal.

thanks folks for the fast answers! I think I should spend more time here contributing and asking now that I'm getting back into working on the machine again.

 

[gooney0]

I don't know how good a deal it is... but you could just use the 72 seatbelt warning lens.

On my 72 the seatbelt light goes out when I pull the drivers seatbelt. Do you HAVE to press the button on a 69-71 to turn the light out?


-Gööney0

 

[pgtr]

Yes, I believe you do - don't knock it until you try it - well worth experiencing!

Seriously though, given a choice I'd just as soon keep some things appearing stock/original. I'd try the '72+ bezel if I could essentially get the older style switch/lens in and working and appearing as it did originally.

Someone told me a long time ago that they thought it was fairly easy to knock out the 69-71 switch form teh original bezel and glue it into a newer style bezel and no-one would know the difference - but it's been a long time and I've lost touch w/ him. So I wanted to verify this first. Plus I don't have teh two bezels to compare side by side for myself.

I'm also going to put a micro switch in somewhere behind the dash so that I just turn the whole function off when I want to but turn it on if I want that classic functionality every time I start it up.