1971 Dash

[Tony R.]

Re: 1971 Dash

Jim,
Did every early C3 cluster bezel have this issue from the factory?
If yes, then judge as the situation requires. If not, it is difficult to justify points off for a cluster that fits well.
Conversely, if the original panels fit well, but the replacement dash pads leave little room for the bezel, is it wrong to modify the after market equipment to achieve the original appearance?

Tony

[Tony R.]

Re: 1971 Dash

Clifford,
No build sheet was found. Then again, since the upper dash pad was from Corvette America, it may have once sat behind the dash.

Tony

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Dash

Jim,
Did every early C3 cluster bezel have this issue from the factory?

No, what you describe with your replacements is worse than typical. What Alan shows is typical.

If yes, then judge as the situation requires. If not, it is difficult to justify points off for a cluster that fits well.
Conversely, if the original panels fit well, but the replacement dash pads leave little room for the bezel, is it wrong to modify the after market equipment to achieve the original appearance?

Tony

You will find that virtually every replacement part requires tweaking to fit correctly. This is especially true of the replacement dash parts where originals fit far, far better than the replacements.
I would only use replacement dash parts if there were no originals to be found at swap meets or on ebay.

Patrick

[Alan S.]

Re: 1971 Dash

Hi,
71-6589
There was a build sheet tucked behind the radio between the back of the radio and the heater floor defuser.
It was found when the radio was replaced under warranty ……the sheet went in the trash.
I guess it was good I didn't have access to (or even know about) the one on the tank or it might have suffered the same fate.
Regards,
Alan

Aside: I ended up with both radios. Perhaps there was no system in place to try to repair them. When I restored my car and had the original radio repaired by Jerry R. he said it was a simple repair.