Courtesy Lamps - Part Deux!

[Rick A.]

Folks,

Stopped by Tony's Corvette this AM and got the rest of the story!

Not only were the lamps spliced into the old harness, but where the ACTIVATION SWITCH mounts into the door jamb area, well the hole is not the correct size! So, if this car came with courtesy lites from the factory, they DID NOT USE the standard activation switch!

From my research, the activation switch is the same part number, same size, etc. for 1963-1982 (or around those years anyhow). The hole to mount this switch in needs to be 3/8 inch in diameter, according to specifications! Well, the hole that is the door jamb is roughly 5/16 inch and the switch WILL NOT MOUNT without drilling!

Need folks thoughts before I start drilling the hole out! I still don't think this car came with the courtesy lites and they were added when the original owner took the car to Europe.

[Mike M.]

Re: Courtesy Lamps - Part Deux!

As with any "unusual aspect" encounted during a restoration, if i'm convinced the idiosynchrosy is ORIGINAL to the car, i retain the idiosyn. and let the chips fall on the judging field. However, in your case, if you "delete" the lites and switch, the augusta midget may score the P.V. unfavorably. You better research this issue more thoroughly if a P.V. is on the horizon. mike

[Mike McKown]

There was a change in size of courtesy light

switches around '63-'64 in some Cheverolet car lines. I believe the older ones were smaller thread diameter and the later were larger. I don't know if this pertained to Corvette. I ran into it on a Chevy II or Corvair.

I believe the switches were also self tapping which means if your car ever did have switches in it, your "A" pillar will have threads.

[Michael H.]

Re: There was a change in size of courtesy light

Agree with Mike. I was just about to look in the AIM for the info and date when I saw your post. I know for sure the switch changed part number in mid production 63 but I wasn't exactly sure when. I Have to believe that the smaller 5/16" was replaced with the later 3/8" thread. If I remember correctly, the switch on the parking brake assy was the same part number as the 1st design door switch so the thread size could be checked.

[Rick A.]

Re: Courtesy Lamps - Part Deux!

Mike,

a PV is on the horizon - hopefully at Wildwood! that is why I am bugging everyone!

[Rick A.]

Re: There was a change in size of courtesy light

Micahel,

John Hinkley sent me an email stating the part number and the diameter size of the switch itself definitely did change and he also agreed they were self-tapping. so, need to get Tony to do whatever we need to do to get these installed correctly

Thanks to all!

[Michael H.]

Re: There was a change in size of courtesy light

Ok, great! I thought that's what the problem was. Sounds like you'll be cruisin the boulevards soon. Congrats!!!

[Timothy B.]

Re: There was a change in size of courtesy light

Rick,

I have a early (November) built 63 coupe and the courtesy switches are the smaller thread. I remember going through the same head scratching trying to figure out why the thread size is different. Check with GM and see if there still available you just may get lucky, I would not drill the holes to fit the larger thread after all the money and work spent on your car, sounds like it turned out real nice, congratulations, Tim

[Mike McKown]

Re: There was a change in size of courtesy light

I THINK there was a visual difference in the installed appearance of the two switches. I could be wrong but if there is, you could be subject to points deduct if that be the case. I wouldn't drill the "A" pillar oversize until you resolve this problem.

[Rick A.]

Re: There was a change in size of courtesy light

Tim,

thanks for the response - LADY is a July 11 built car

[Rick A.]

Re: There was a change in size of courtesy light

Mike,

thanks for the advice - "stealing" switches off Tony's 1963 - he doesn't know it yet, but his car may just turn out to be a parts car!!!! (VBG)