Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

[Harry S.]

Well here is a strange one that many of you will comment on. I've had the opportunity to look at pictures from 63 car 476X. An early 63. Notice that the lock look like a 64 to 67 and the lock retainer is not chrome. I have seen several of these but I'm sensing that the early 63's were different from the late 63's.

Comments please.

[Bob R.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

I have heard that the early 63's had the 64-67 style locks on the glove box. When the plastic glove box doors started to break they swithched over to the larger round lock.
I also heard that the early convertibles didn't have the chrome caps at the door openings. The early cars didn't have the alignment blocks on the hood openings. Then they had 4 then 2. The early cars didn't have ss trim around the radio or vinyl over the center dash and on it goes.

[Michael H.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Well here is a strange one that many of you will comment on. I've had the opportunity to look at pictures from 63 car 476X. An early 63. Notice that the lock look like a 64 to 67 and the lock retainer is not chrome. I have seen several of these but I'm sensing that the early 63's were different from the late 63's.

Comments please.

There's nothing strange at all about that lock Harry. It's absolutely correct for ALL early production 63's.
I don't know exactly when the lock design changed to the larger round bezel but I would guess some time in December 62?

The design/part number of the door changed for the new round bezel lock too. There was a 1st and 2nd design.
And, as mentioned, early lock cyl retainers were zinc plated, unlike the chrome retainer that replaced it around the same time.

I posted this information and an excellent closeup picture here a few years ago but it didn't generate much of a response. I have a feeling not many folks believe it.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

What ever Michael says, I buy into it.

Stu Fox

[Chuck G.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Here's another pic of an early 63 door.

I might have gotten this from Michael H. so I'll give him the photo credit.

In this pic, you can more clearly see the recess, or countersunk area in the door into which the lock fits.

It does not flush mount like the later 63 lock, so it is a completely different door.

Chuck

[Bob B.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

I have heard that the early 63's had the 64-67 style locks on the glove box. When the plastic glove box doors started to break they swithched over to the larger round lock.
I also heard that the early convertibles didn't have the chrome caps at the door openings. The early cars didn't have the alignment blocks on the hood openings. Then they had 4 then 2. The early cars didn't have ss trim around the radio or vinyl over the center dash and on it goes.

Bob I just thought I would comment on your statement on the early converts not having any chrome caps at the door openings. My convert is # 618 Sept build that I ordered and still have did have the chrome caps but with the only difference being that there is no screw holes in them to hold them on as the later ones. They had a tight fit to them to hold them on and as time went by they would fall off and get lost.

[Douglas C.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Interesting post - I have a Dec. '62 convt. with this configuration of glove box door and with the 64-67 lock and always thought it was wrong.

Can a repro '63 glove box door be configured with this type of glove box lock? (I never examined a repro door up close)?

[Harry S.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Best I can remember a repro door will only accept the lock with the large round bezel.

I have the same 64 to 67 lock on my April 63 car. It may be wrong or may have taken a long time for that door and lock to make it to the front of the pile to be installed on the line. It has the same non-chromed bracked on the inside.

[Joe R.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Interesting post - I have a Dec. '62 convt. with this configuration of glove box door and with the 64-67 lock and always thought it was wrong.

Can a repro '63 glove box door be configured with this type of globe box lock? (I never examined a repro door up close)?

Doug,

No the repo door will not work with the 64-67 lock assy. Well, it will (nearly fill the hole) but was not intended that way.

Look at the pic posted by Chuck (er Michael). It's the second design door with a early 63 lock (or 64-67 lock) or whatever you want to call it.

JR

[Michael H.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Here's another pic of an early 63 door.


In this pic, you can more clearly see the recess, or countersunk area in the door into which the lock fits.

It does not flush mount like the later 63 lock, so it is a completely different door.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck. That's another good example of the 1st design door and 1st design lock assy.

Here's a pic of a NEW early 63 as road tested by Road & track magazine in early 1963. I zoomed in on the lock assembly for the 2nd pic and it clearly shows the 1st design key hole design lock.

The opening in the first surface plastic of the door for the lock cyl in a first design door is actually larger than the key hole shaped bezel on the lock so the bezel does NOT lay on the surface of the door, just as you stated. It sits below that surface.

[Michael H.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Best I can remember a repro door will only accept the lock with the large round bezel.

I have the same 64 to 67 lock on my April 63 car. It may be wrong or may have taken a long time for that door and lock to make it to the front of the pile to be installed on the line. It has the same non-chromed bracked on the inside.

Harry, I'm pretty sure all of the door and all related lock componments would have been changed at the same time in production.

It possible that the 1st design door may have been used even after the new round lock bezel entered production but I seriously doubt that the 1st design lock cyl did. I think both door and lock cyl were changed at the same time.
Unfortunately, the 63 AIM page does not show any of the changes for these components. (we don't have the original AIM page that would show the changes)
A 2nd design part can be changed/mixed with 1st design parts if it's the only part involved in the change but when other parts are involved and designed to be used specifically with other 2nd design parts, all would be changed to 2nd design at the same time.

Here's another shot of a 1st design door with it's 1st design lock cylinder. In this shot, it clear that the opening in the plastic first surface of the door is larger than the bezel of the lock. The lock/bezel seats on the 2nd surface.
I suppose that means the 1st design cyl is shorter than the 2nd design??

[Timothy B.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

I don't believe the first design cylinder is shorter, the retainer in the back is larger (deeper) than the later retainer because the lock sat in further.

I purchased a later door with the bezel in the front because my original is bad. I did not know the first design door was not available in reproduction.

[John F.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Chuck,

Do you you happen to have picture? it's not attached to the post any longer.

Thanks!

[John F.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Michael,

Would you mind posting those pictures again if you have a minute? I don't believe they are attached to the post any longer.

thanks so much!

[Edward J.]

Re: Early 63 Glovebox lock and retainer

Harry, I know its a older post but I think my Mar car has a Zinc plated bezel. I should also note it has the round bezel in front and have the original door and lock cylinder.