Author Topic: Adding a non-gauge console?  (Read 18276 times)

bheston

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Adding a non-gauge console?
« on: March 17, 2018, 11:14:44 AM »
Hello,

I have a very original 69 SS that has no console. This is a 4-speed car. I don’t want to add the gauge console because I don’t want to make too many non-reversible changes. However, I would like to add a non-gauge console. Has anyone done this and do you think it was worth the effort or just damages the originality?

z28z11

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2018, 11:51:39 PM »
It will take three holes drilled in the tunnel to add the console - two forward for the front mounting bracket, and one for the rear mounting Rivnut that secures the back end of the console to the tunnel. Add the rear courtesy light wiring and you're done. Carpeting change would not be required, only cutting the carpet to clear the front bracket and for the through hole in the rear. Easy to do, doesn't really take away from the car IMO, only then if absolute originality or adherence to the documentation of the car as it was optioned is your theme. If that is the case, leave it as a non-console car.

Regards,
Steve 
1968 Z28 M21/U17 BRG/W 1967 Chevy ll Nova SS 
1969 Z28 X77/M20/VE3 LeMans/W
1969 L78 X66/N66 Cortez/BVT
1969 Z11 L48/M35/C60/C06  1949 3100 5wd 235/6

ko-lek-tor

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2018, 11:56:26 PM »
Personally, If this car was ordered with a performance drivetrain, i.e. solid lifter big block, I would leave it as original as possible. That being the case the lack of options could indicate the car was intended to race. On the other hand, if it is a 350 car or possibly even a q-jet bb, I would not have any problem doing this addition. Depending how correct a swap you are willing to do, because there is a rear console light on a stick, you would need a different dash harness. If that light function can be overlooked , then the swap becomes easier. You could also run your own wiring from the light to the door switch to come on when either door opens. Besides the complete console needed ( including front metal mounting bracket) there may be a couple of holes to drill. All my cars are console cars so I wil have to defer to others as to mounting. The last thing would be a duct extension to bring floor heat over to the driver side.  My reply was done at the same time Steve above , so may have some redundancy.
Bentley to friends :1969 SS/RS 396 owned 79
1969 SS 350 (sold)
1969 D.H.COPO replica 4spd. owned since 85
1967 302 4 spd 5.13

Kelley W King

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2018, 11:10:12 AM »
My Z has no console. I get a lot of comments at the shows about it being a non console car. If you do the swap the shifter ball is different also.
69 Z28 RS Scuncio Hi Performance
69 SS L78
67 SS Chevelle
64 Corvette
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Stingr69

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2018, 02:22:51 PM »
I added a tach/clock/console and gauges with the gauge harness and the extension harness.  Not difficult and can be easliy reversed (just plug and play) if needed.  The courtesy light is part of that harness so it works as original.  The front mount is held in place with nuts that are difficult to reach when the transmission is installed.  Rear mount was rivnut originally but a large sheet metal screw into the floor will also work.  Console helps keep the seat belts located and the storage is nice to have.  I probably would not add one again.  It takes up space and makes working on the car a little but harder.  I Don't love it but it does look good.   Hope this helps.

BULLITT65

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2018, 04:14:38 PM »
Both my 69's are factory 4 speed cars, and neither has a a console. What are the chances right?
But, as Bentley says if a guy was building a car for speed, maybe he opted to have speed shop gauges and skip the extra frills.
I personally like the console gauges and the chrome shifter ball myself, just not enough to add them. 
If you like the look of the console, go for it, just try to do it as clean as possible, so if you want to change it back you can.

Have fun!
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

KurtS

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2018, 04:02:05 AM »
Almost all the cars at shows have a console. No console is different.
I wouldn't have one just to have it - not much storage and it gets in the way. 68/69 consoles are more fragile than 67's, btw.
Kurt S
CRG

bheston

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2018, 11:15:44 AM »
The non-console is starting to grow on me.  Here is the "naked" floor:


x66 714

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2018, 11:21:45 AM »
Looks clean with no console....Joe
See America's First, Chevrolet

1968 Z/28 Corvette Bronze. Black Hounds Tooth. 02E Los Angeles born 3/13/1968 pnt OO. Purchased March 1976
1969 SS396 Yellow/Yellow 08E Norwood born 8/28/1969 pnt 76E. Purchased April 1981

Kelley W King

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2018, 12:28:13 PM »
I agree with Joe, I wonder if there is any information on how many cars came with the console option? Of course it probably would not take into account that a lot of them were automatic cars since the column shift seems to be a little rare. When you go to a show almost all have consoles but back in the 70,s and 80,s most cars I had (GTO,s and Chevelles included) did not. I remember a popular mod being the Hurst shift boot which did not really fit console cars.
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69 SS L78
67 SS Chevelle
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69Z28-RS

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2018, 02:11:54 PM »
Almost all the cars at shows have a console. No console is different.
I wouldn't have one just to have it - not much storage and it gets in the way. 68/69 consoles are more fragile than 67's, btw.

:)  That's just because all the big-butted gals wanted to ride in our '69's...  on the console...  :)
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Kelley W King

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2018, 02:43:42 PM »
Must be why most of them are cracked.
69 Z28 RS Scuncio Hi Performance
69 SS L78
67 SS Chevelle
64 Corvette
66 GTO Tiger Gold
77 Trans Am Special Edition

HawkX66

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2018, 04:33:45 PM »
If my 69 weren't a console car, I wouldn't want one in it. I love the look of it without one. Here's what mine looked like when I was installing the carpet and before I re-installed the console.

Dave
69 SS396 X66 L34 M21 BS
Z23 711 U17 Hugger Orange
Semper Fi!

BULLITT65

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2018, 05:36:42 PM »
Sorry man, you guys must be on glue or something.  ??  ???
The console with gauges has got to be one of the coolest options they offered on Camaro. I would say its right up there with the ZL-2 hood, if measuring the cool factor.  8)

If you had a serious track car, sure mechanical gauges was the way to go. But as far as factory gauges go, I think the console with gauges was a big winner for Chevrolet because it looked so cool. I think the console in general gives any car more of a cockpit type feel (like a jet) back then.

if I was ordering a 69 Camaro back then I would have checked the box for it with the gauges.

(Maybe this is a situation of the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?... ;D)
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

z28z11

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Re: Adding a non-gauge console?
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2018, 01:42:07 AM »
Must be why most of them are cracked.

Amen. Didn't take a very large one, either. They'll bust right behind the console door, then ahead of the door.
1968 Z28 M21/U17 BRG/W 1967 Chevy ll Nova SS 
1969 Z28 X77/M20/VE3 LeMans/W
1969 L78 X66/N66 Cortez/BVT
1969 Z11 L48/M35/C60/C06  1949 3100 5wd 235/6

 

anything