70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

[Dennis D.]

I've been looking for these pieces for a very long time.I seem to remember my old ones being wrapped in vinyl. Not plastic.

I'm looking at one that I'm told is original, but appears to be plastic. GM Part#3974052 on the back. Did this piece go to plastic sometime after 70? Or maybe the old memory "ain't what it used to be", and mine were plastic as well.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

Dennis-----

The 68 and 69 rear quarter trim panels for convertibles were constructed of vinyl-covered plastic. The vinyl was tightly "stretched" over the plastic substrate material. For PRODUCTION there were many part numbers depending upon interior color. For SERVICE, only a few were available and, otherwise, they were "paint-to-match".

For 1970, the rear quarter trim panels changed. For both PRODUCTION and SERVICE the panels were GM #3974051, left, and GM #3974052, right. These panels were supplied in black only, but they may have been painted for PRODUCTION to match interior color. These panels were used through 1972 for convertibles.

I was not aware that the 70-72 style panels were "monolithic" plastic, with no vinyl covering. However, if you have one and it's so-constructed, then I guess that they were.

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

Dennis-----

The 68 and 69 rear quarter trim panels for convertibles were constructed of vinyl-covered plastic. The vinyl was tightly "stretched" over the plastic substrate material. For PRODUCTION there were many part numbers depending upon interior color. For SERVICE, only a few were available and, otherwise, they were "paint-to-match".

For 1970, the rear quarter trim panels changed. For both PRODUCTION and SERVICE the panels were GM #3974051, left, and GM #3974052, right. These panels were supplied in black only, but they may have been painted for PRODUCTION to match interior color. These panels were used through 1972 for convertibles.

I was not aware that the 70-72 style panels were "monolithic" plastic, with no vinyl covering. However, if you have one and it's so-constructed, then I guess that they were.

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

Joe,

Sounds like you think it should have vinyl on it too.
I don't have the panel. I'm told it appears to be plastic only, with that '052 part #. I remember the vinyl being tighly stretched over the plastic with no padding. This could be viewed as being plastic only, I guess.
I told him to check the back for a cut edge of the stretched vinyl.Didn't see it but he may have misunderstood me. Hope to get some input from 70-72 owners with the pieces. Thanks Joe.

[Dennis D.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

Joe,

Sounds like you think it should have vinyl on it too.
I don't have the panel. I'm told it appears to be plastic only, with that '052 part #. I remember the vinyl being tighly stretched over the plastic with no padding. This could be viewed as being plastic only, I guess.
I told him to check the back for a cut edge of the stretched vinyl.Didn't see it but he may have misunderstood me. Hope to get some input from 70-72 owners with the pieces. Thanks Joe.

[Juliet P.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

My early '70 has the original panels and they are molded plastic. They don't have any covering stretched over them. Yes, under the bright blue paint, they are black. Oh, and FWIW both convertibles with and without shoulder belts came from the factory with rear 1/4 trim with shoulder belt cutouts. There was only one piece per side from the factory. ~Juliet

[Juliet P.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

My early '70 has the original panels and they are molded plastic. They don't have any covering stretched over them. Yes, under the bright blue paint, they are black. Oh, and FWIW both convertibles with and without shoulder belts came from the factory with rear 1/4 trim with shoulder belt cutouts. There was only one piece per side from the factory. ~Juliet

[Dave S.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

I'll second Juliet. My 70 convertable had plastic trim panels with the cut out for the shoulder belts. My interior was black thus the trim panels were black as well. I looked long and hard for a second set and never saw them for sale either.

[Dave S.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

I'll second Juliet. My 70 convertable had plastic trim panels with the cut out for the shoulder belts. My interior was black thus the trim panels were black as well. I looked long and hard for a second set and never saw them for sale either.

[Dennis D.]

Re: thanks all *NM*

[Dennis D.]

Re: thanks all *NM*

[Zachary K.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

Just some more input on these. My 70 serial number 416717 convertible has hard plastic painted interior color. The 70 judging manual states that the color of the plastic rear quater trim matches the door and interior pieces. Not much help there. I checked my 69 convertible, serial number 717820 and it has the vinyl stretched over them. The 68/69 second edition manual states, Color of the 68 vinyl covered plastic and the 69 plastic rear quarter trim panels matches the door and interior color. The 68/69 third edition Judging manual states, rear quarter panels are vinyl covered.
Looks like somewhere late 69 early 70 was a change over, to the hard plastic. I also looked through Rick Bizzoco's 69 guide book which is pretty informative, even touches into 70's in some places. But he surprisingly doesn't even touch on these panels in the interior section.
Also, as Juliet stated my 70 with the hard painted plastic has the holes for the shoulder belt option.

[Zachary K.]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

Just some more input on these. My 70 serial number 416717 convertible has hard plastic painted interior color. The 70 judging manual states that the color of the plastic rear quater trim matches the door and interior pieces. Not much help there. I checked my 69 convertible, serial number 717820 and it has the vinyl stretched over them. The 68/69 second edition manual states, Color of the 68 vinyl covered plastic and the 69 plastic rear quarter trim panels matches the door and interior color. The 68/69 third edition Judging manual states, rear quarter panels are vinyl covered.
Looks like somewhere late 69 early 70 was a change over, to the hard plastic. I also looked through Rick Bizzoco's 69 guide book which is pretty informative, even touches into 70's in some places. But he surprisingly doesn't even touch on these panels in the interior section.
Also, as Juliet stated my 70 with the hard painted plastic has the holes for the shoulder belt option.

[Reba 8804]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

Just to confuse this issue, let me throw in the following. We have always believed and written that only the 1968-69s came with the vinyl-covered panels. However, at a National Convention a few years ago, we found two Bowtie cars (a 1970 and 1971 to the best of my memory) that had vinyl-covered panels. I had never seen that nor had Terry McManmon or any other judges on the field. I still have not seen any others later than 1969.

[Reba 8804]

Re: 70 conv int 1/4 trim panels

Just to confuse this issue, let me throw in the following. We have always believed and written that only the 1968-69s came with the vinyl-covered panels. However, at a National Convention a few years ago, we found two Bowtie cars (a 1970 and 1971 to the best of my memory) that had vinyl-covered panels. I had never seen that nor had Terry McManmon or any other judges on the field. I still have not seen any others later than 1969.