64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

[James B.]

For the Glovebox Lock Cylinder Case, is the case chromed or bare metal for a 1965 Corvette? If the case is chromed, is there someone that may have these used cases available?

Thank you,

Jim

[Russ S.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

The front bezel is chrome. The case is natural. I have seen them on ebay from time to time.

[Dennis O.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

The spare tire lock was long gone on my '67, so I purchased a "keyed-alike" spare tire lock and glove box lock from LIC. Everything looked fine, but when I installed the glove box lock, the thingy that sticks up and engages the latch plate was too short. Just sayin'

[Gary B.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

For the Glovebox Lock Cylinder Case, is the case chromed or bare metal for a 1965 Corvette? If the case is chromed, is there someone that may have these used cases available?

Thank you,

Jim

Jim,

All of the known original glove box lock cases for C2 that I've seen have a poor quality chrome finish, probably flash chrome. All the GM service replacement NOS glove box locks that I've seen are natural, as-cast, i.e., no chrome. I think Corvette Pacifica sells a repro lock that is chromed, but the chrome quality of the repro is too good, and I think the repro is missing some details (mold number) on the back end. That missing info is not critical since it will be hidden by the U-bracket, which should also be chromed. Again, the GM NOS U brackets are not chromed. Every fews years, a correct, used original C2 lock will show up on e-bay.

So, in my opinion a natural case is a sign of a service replacement, not original.

Gary

[Russ S.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

Jim,

All of the known original glove box lock cases for C2 that I've seen have a poor quality chrome finish, probably flash chrome. All the GM service replacement NOS glove box locks that I've seen are natural, as-cast, i.e., no chrome. I think Corvette Pacifica sells a repro lock that is chromed, but the chrome quality of the repro is too good, and I think the repro is missing some details (mold number) on the back end. That missing info is not critical since it will be hidden by the U-bracket, which should also be chromed. Again, the GM NOS U brackets are not chromed. Every fews years, a correct, used original C2 lock will show up on e-bay.

So, in my opinion a natural case is a sign of a service replacement, not original.

Gary

Gary, I might be wrong but I think what the OP was referring to (at least I was) by case is the housing that the lock cylinder goes inside of. That housing is natural with a chrome bezel. P.S. I am adding this correction for the benefit of others reading this post. Gary is right, I stand corrected. the case on originals is chrome.

[Gary B.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

Gary, I might be wrong but I think what the OP was referring to (at least I was) by case is the housing that the lock cylinder goes inside of. That housing is natural with a chrome bezel.

Russ,

I was referring to the lock case as well. I can try and post some photos tomorrow of an original and an NOS example. All the original C2 glove box locks I've seen have a chromed U-bracket, a chromed U-bracket screw, and a chromed lock case. Only the spring loaded, up-and-down latch piece is not chromed. The lock bezel is stainless.

Gary

[Leif A.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

For the Glovebox Lock Cylinder Case, is the case chromed or bare metal for a 1965 Corvette? If the case is chromed, is there someone that may have these used cases available?

Thank you,

Jim

Jim,

Kinda looks like flash chrome...and, the TIM&JG says "U" shaped chrome retainer and a single chrome Phillips screw" on page 32.

[Bill W.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

I agree with Gary , The lock housing (or case) the U bracket (retainer) & screw are all chrome on my 65 . some pass cars and all over the counter parts have natural cases.

[Joe L.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

Jim,

All of the known original glove box lock cases for C2 that I've seen have a poor quality chrome finish, probably flash chrome. All the GM service replacement NOS glove box locks that I've seen are natural, as-cast, i.e., no chrome. I think Corvette Pacifica sells a repro lock that is chromed, but the chrome quality of the repro is too good, and I think the repro is missing some details (mold number) on the back end. That missing info is not critical since it will be hidden by the U-bracket, which should also be chromed. Again, the GM NOS U brackets are not chromed. Every fews years, a correct, used original C2 lock will show up on e-bay.

So, in my opinion a natural case is a sign of a service replacement, not original.

Gary

Gary-------


I do not understand why the lock cylinder RETAINER (the "U-shaped" piece you describe) was different for PRODUCTION and SERVICE. The PRODUCTION and SERVICE part number was the same----GM #3838447. Also, this piece was unique to Corvettes; it was not used for other applications.

[Russ S.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

I guess I stand corrected-and shocked, that GM would have chromed the case which is barely seen and only then when the glove box is open. Is this the case from 63 all the way thru 67?

[James B.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

To all,

Thank you for the information you have given, greatly appreciated. I understand the difference between the original vs. the service replacement lock cyliinder. I will be on the lookout for a chromed case. Thanks again for your time.

[Gary B.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

Gary-------


I do not understand why the lock cylinder RETAINER (the "U-shaped" piece you describe) was different for PRODUCTION and SERVICE. The PRODUCTION and SERVICE part number was the same----GM #3838447. Also, this piece was unique to Corvettes; it was not used for other applications.

Joe,

I can only guess that the service U-brackets (retainers) that are unplated are not GM # 3838477, but some other GM application that will function on a Corvette glove box lock. Typically, the unplated retainers I see have two holes on the back side for the retrainer screws, whereas original Corvette retainers only had one screw hole.

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

I guess I stand corrected-and shocked, that GM would have chromed the case which is barely seen and only then when the glove box is open. Is this the case from 63 all the way thru 67?

Russ,

I don't know if the case was chromed on early '63 glove box locks that have the round bezel. But I think the chromed case applies to the locks that have the "goatee' feature on the bezel, up thru '67. So, I'm guessing a chromed case is correct for at least mid-'63 thru '67. Maybe someone with an early '63 with a known original glove lock with the round bezel can chime in.

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

I guess I stand corrected-and shocked, that GM would have chromed the case which is barely seen and only then when the glove box is open. Is this the case from 63 all the way thru 67?

Russ------


The RETAINER was used 63-67.

The CYLINDER was a different matter. The 1963-66 cylinder was a PRODUCTION-only part number, as are all locks that are designed to be used as part of a set, keyed alike. The 1963-66 cylinder for SERVICE was an un-coded piece. So, in addition to the coding difference between PRODUCTION and SERVICE parts, there could also have been a finish difference. If that's the case, then the chromed cylinder was probably never available in SERVICE. The 63-66 cylinder for SERVICE was also used for 1962-63 passenger cars.

A different cylinder was used for 1967, but the same situation as above prevailed. The PRODUCTION cylinder was GM #7645830; the SERVICE cylinder was GM #7645831. That kind of part number relationship could mean that the cylinders were the same except for coding, but I don't know, for sure. I don't know if either was chrome plated.

[Joe L.]

Re: 64-67 Glove Box Lock Case

Joe,

I can only guess that the service U-brackets (retainers) that are unplated are not GM # 3838477, but some other GM application that will function on a Corvette glove box lock. Typically, the unplated retainers I see have two holes on the back side for the retrainer screws, whereas original Corvette retainers only had one screw hole.

Gary

Gary------


I think I know what happened now; I should have checked this last night but I was kind of tired. The GM #3838447 retainer was most likely chromed whether it was used in PRODUCTION or sold in SERVICE. However, it was discontinued in October, 1974 (that's exactly 40 years ago now) and replaced by GM #3919787. The latter was used for some early 1968 Corvettes and, as far as I know, was not chrome plated. It didn't last too long thereafter and was discontinued without supercession in July, 1975.