63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

[Michael H.]

On page 29 of the 3rd edition, dash panel "attachment tabs and rivets" section of the 63-64 judging guide, refering to the outer end tabs that attach the tab to the door jamb, it is stated that;

"WHEN THE BODY COLOR AND THE DASH PANEL ARE THE SAME COLOR, THE END TABS ARE THE COLOR OF THE DASH PANEL AND THE RIVET HEADS HAVE A BLACK OR NATURAL ALUMINUM FINISH. WHEN THE BODY COLOR CONTRASTS WITH THE DASH PANEL COLOR, THE TABS AND RIVETS ARE PAINTED BODY COLOR"

I don't agree with this statement. This has been discussed on this board in the past but I don't know if everyone was in agreement. Lets hear from some 63-64 owners that have original paint on their door jambs/tabs/rivets. Thanks.

[Michael H.]

Lets Try This A Different Way.....

Maybe this was confusing. Does anyone think that ANY dash rivets should be unpainted for ANY color combo in 63-64? Don't we have any owners of 63-64 with original paint dash tabs? I would hate to think that you are going to show your car and have points deducted because the rivets are painted. If we can't get together on these things, no change will be possible in the JG. It's not that far to the garage to look at your car.

[Duke W.]

Re: Lets Try This A Different Way.....

SWC - red/red - rivets are painted.

Duke

[Kenneth S.]

[Mike McKown]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

'63 original red paint, black interior. Tabs and rivets are red.

I thought the dash was installed when the body was painted. Not true?????????

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

Thanks Mike. The instrument panel, with pads, was installed well after the body was painted. At some point, the panel assy was installed and riveted in place and the pads were masked, or more likely, shielded, and the tabs/rivets shot with gloss body color. I'm sure you've seen small amounds of body color overspray on the forward edges of the dash pads. It's correct.

It would have been difficult, or impossible, to paint the car with the dash/pads in place, then send it through the reflow oven.

If you drill out the rivets and remove the dash panel, you find body color on the door jamb behind the tabs.

Wonder who figured out this process?

[Mike McKown]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

Regardless of where or at what point the instrument panel is decked to the body, if they'd pay to color key the ends of a black dash to a red car for cosmetic reasons, they'd most certainly pay to cover those black rivet heads on any body color, especially if they were aluminum.

I realize you want facts, not speculation. If there's a bulk materials list available,it should specify by color.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

The big change came at the beginning of the 65 model year. That's when the decision was made to leave the tabs of matching int'/ext color cars as is in it's semi flat color that was then applied to the entire dash panel. That's when the first black unpainted rivets first appeared.

I think I remember John Hinckley saying that the tabs were painted on the final trim line, near the end of the build.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

A quick look through Nolands book reveals some interesting things. On page 34, 99 and 101 there is a picture showing the top two rivets painted and the others appear to be natural. This looks to be the same car in the pictures. On page 178 there is one with all painted rivets.

[Bill H.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

I have a 63 coupe with the original paint. The car is Silver Blue with Dark Blue interior. The tab and rivets are Silver Blue.

[James J.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

I also have a 63 coupe with the original paint. The car is silver blue with dark blue interior. The tabs and rivets are silver blue.

[John H.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

Michael -

Dunno about '63-'64, but in '67 when the end tabs needed to be masked and painted (contrasting int/ext colors), it was done in Final Paint Repair (car on wheels). Didn't upset the process, as every Corvette went through Paint Repair anyway (it was sized for 125% of volume).

[Michael H.]

Re: 63-64 Judging Guide Question (inst panel)

Thanks John. Now that you mention it, I seem to remember you telling us that about a year ago but I couldn't remember exactly where it occured.

I suppose that would be the case for all 63-64 and all non matching int/ext color 65-67's.