C2: 4-speed shifter pattern; repro vs. original

[Gary B.]

In the distant past I recall reading on the DB that people noted a obvious cosmetic difference between repro 4-speed patterns and original 4-speed patterns. The pattern I'm talking about is one that appears on the small aluminum plate that is glued to the console on 63-67 manual transmission cars. I just purchased a repro 4-speed pattern from Corvette Center and frankly I can't see an obvious difference between the repro pattern and the original pattern from my '66. Have the repro patterns been improved in recent years such that they are now a dead ringer for the original? Or am I missing something? What was the difference that was so obvious in the past? The font used the numbers/letter? The line width? The color/texture of the aluminum background?

Thanks,

Gary

[Mike M.]

Re: C2: 4-speed shifter pattern; repro vs. origina

gary: the 63 shift pattern plate is unlike the 64 thru 67. seem to recall the repo 63 plate differing from original 63 plates but hadn't noticed differences between 64 -67 repo vs original plates. mike

[Gary B.]

Thanks Mike; guys, how about 64-67 diffs? *NM*

[John R.]

Re: Thanks Mike; guys, how about 64-67 diffs?

I haven't seen the ones you purchased, Gary but from the small collection I have assembled hunting through Carlisle and other swap meets, there are some subtle differences in both the shape and the thickness of the lines and fonts between the originals and the repros.

[Gary B.]

How about 64-67 diffs?

John,

What you say is what I recall reading previously, but based on the one repro from Corvette Central that I have to go by it's spot on as far as I can tell in comparison with my '66 original.

How obvious are the differences in shape and thickness of the repros based on your observations? I mean are we talking using a magnifying glass and a digital caliper? I'm picky when it comes to such things, but even I have my limits.

Gary

[John R.]

Re: How about 64-67 diffs?

I'm pretty picky as well. The differences were readily noticeable when I placed the originals next to the repos (I have one repo from Paragon and one from Long Island). If you can't see a difference with the two next to each other, I would say that the Corvette Central repo is much better than the ones I have.

[Gary B.]

John: I'll send you some photos *NM*