Author Topic: 68 front fender bezels (Read 4105 times)

David K · « **on:** July 24, 2022, 05:50:45 PM »

Not sure why the part numbers are in different places. Zoom in to see better. Feel free to add your opinion or known fact.

william · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2022, 11:07:45 PM »

Chevrolet built 235,151 1968 Camaros. That means 940,604 bezels, 18,882 per week, were needed at two assembly plants for the 50-week production span.

It is entirely possible there was more than one supplier; those suppliers may have had more than one facility. The tooling to cast the bezels was produced by different tool shops; the engineering drawing for the part likely specified the part number was to appear on the part but may not have specified a location. So, each shop was free to put it where they wanted. High-volume tooling wears, likely replaced during the model year.

After casting, the bezels had to be plated. Last thing you want in supply chain is to be shipping parts all over the place for secondary operations. So, the casting/plating plants were probably close to Norwood and Van Nuys.

GMPD didn't necessarily source these from the original suppliers. Common for service parts to be made by shops that deal in small volumes.

David K · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2022, 11:37:16 PM »

I’ll buy that..seems logical…..until an answer I like better comes along. 🤔🤔😆😆😆

Gars68Tux · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2022, 08:49:27 AM »

Dug out my originals and will have to go with William on that. Numbers on mine are on the vertical, but appear much smaller and along the outside edge.

So, apparently you're aware the rears are different.

Are all the repros still "one size fits all" (front & rear)?

David K · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2022, 02:51:55 PM »

Gars…still 1 size fits all these days. And if you’re going for the big judging stuff, you’ll get dinged. I found a local set and will get them rechromed. Small and cheap stuff to bring it “closer to original “ than it currently is.

169INDY · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2022, 03:39:23 PM »

https://www.camaros.net/threads/time-for-another-68-z-28-to-be-restored.182584/page-48#post-2992465

Post #959

68camaroz28 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2022, 11:15:53 PM »

Quote from: 169INDY on July 25, 2022, 03:39:23 PM

https://www.camaros.net/threads/time-for-another-68-z-28-to-be-restored.182584/page-48#post-2992465

Post #959

Thanks Jim.....
GM stopped making or offering the front thin bezels by very early 70’s and parts books show the rear bezel part number only stating 4 needed. I had our originals chromed and as Jim pointed to build thread another familiar not done on restoration involves black paint in the groove.

David K · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2022, 01:15:31 AM »

169indy…thanks for the link. I got front and rear originals cheap and will have them rechromed.

169INDY · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2022, 04:39:13 AM »

I waited and searched and searched for a pair of fronts & will rechrome the orig at a later date for my other 68 that I installed rears in four corners

David K · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2022, 05:23:32 AM »

Straight outta 1970…nice!

Gars68Tux · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2022, 07:21:59 AM »

Quote from: 169INDY on July 26, 2022, 04:39:13 AM

I waited and searched and searched for a pair of fronts & will rechrome the orig at a later date for my other 68 that I installed rears in four corners

But what location is the part number cast on the inside?

Almost need a magnifying glass see mine...

David K · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2022, 02:00:07 AM »

There’s typically 2different sets I’ve found inside. Maybe bigger numbers we’re more costly.🤔🤔😵‍💫😵‍💫

camaroboy68ss · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2022, 07:51:11 PM »

Well I now have another part I will have to look for at swap meets. Never knew they were different. I have the repops all around my car.

David K · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2022, 01:05:42 AM »

eBay all day…..Craigslist paid off for me….local. Make sure to note the part number for easy reference at that swap meet. You’ll easily see the difference here. But don’t peek at the next picture if you’re not sure which is front or rear. The one on top is actually taller due to the 2nd beveled edge.

x66 714 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2022, 01:59:48 AM »

After reviewing my car I realize I have the fronts on the rear & vise versa. Do the rears use a gasket?. Joe

cook_dw · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2022, 02:12:26 AM »

That is the reason for the thickness difference. Rears have gaskets, fronts do not.

David K · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2022, 02:36:16 AM »

Front-no gasket-don’t care about water intrusion in the engine compartment
Rear-gasket-don’t want water intrusion in the trunk

Gars68Tux · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2022, 02:55:57 AM »

Yes, gaskets in the rear, not the front. Maybe that's why the bezels were thicker in the rear? My rear bezels have a series of XXXXXXX's cast in on the inside near the casting number. IIRC, Chicks did as well. Guess those were to help the assembly guy install the proper bezel.

EDIT; oops, sorry a little slow with my reply!

David K · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2022, 03:06:24 AM »

Fronts….anyone have an idea who’s company logo this could be? TC…Maybe from Minneapolis/St. Paul area?

x66 714 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2022, 03:46:51 AM »

Thanks for the gasket answer. Now back to our regularly scheduled program

...Joe

Gars68Tux · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2022, 05:19:37 AM »

While I was takin' photo's for ya, David....note the xxxxx's on the rear bezel. The one right side up is a front. If the other was in the same condition, they'd both be installed on the car. I should've had them rechromed when they did the bumper and door handles. $:-\$

David K · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2022, 05:27:30 AM »

Your photo was cut off and no xxxx. I found I have to take the photo and the upload from my device for the full picture to be seen.

Gars68Tux · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2022, 05:58:40 AM »

There's a scroll bar just below the photo. Push it to the right. And thank CRG for that. At least I didn't have to reduce the size.

David K · « **Reply #23 on:** August 03, 2022, 12:26:07 AM »

🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

68camaroz28 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 03, 2022, 11:26:10 AM »

Quote from: cook_dw on July 29, 2022, 02:12:26 AM

That is the reason for the thickness difference. Rears have gaskets, fronts do not.

That makes the most sense but also possibly just little communication between Fisher Body and Chevrolet Assembly. A good example relates to the Camaro by Chevrolet emblems as the two part numbers made very little sense and for sure was not cost effective.

David K · « **Reply #25 on:** August 04, 2022, 12:40:35 AM »

That makes sense…don’t talk to those people on the other side of the wall. 🤦‍♂️

KurtS · « **Reply #26 on:** August 04, 2022, 04:38:59 AM »

Fisher said to JohnZ: All you need to know is it comes out shiny (and don't ever go back into the Fisher side!).

cook_dw · « **Reply #27 on:** August 04, 2022, 12:46:59 PM »

I would have thought a 77xxxx number would have been used if installed on Fisher side.?.

David K · « **Reply #28 on:** August 05, 2022, 01:13:29 AM »

If I’m reading John H’s documents correctly, the bezels were installed on the Chevrolet side. Am i reading this correctly that the holes were punched in a painted fender?

Chevrolet Assembly - Front Sheet Metal Subassembly
All the color-painted exterior front sheet metal panels, plus the black-primed radiator support, inner fenders, and center grille support and the low-bake painted grille were conveyed to the sheet metal assembly area; all were in "Broadcast" sequence, matching the sequence of bodies on the main assembly line. Option holes for engine emblems, antennas, Vigilite housings, nameplates and moldings were pierced in large hydraulic fender piercing fixtures before the fenders were placed in the assembly fixtures.

News:

Author Topic: 68 front fender bezels (Read 4105 times)