Dash Panel Mystery

[DavidS]

A few weeks ago I bought a sheet metal "PANEL, INSTRUMENT" part number: 8716458, group: 10.230

When it came in, it looked like a section was removed.  It did not match the original dash panel that was in the car.

It looked like this:


I became upset and returned the dash panel to the seller.

Now, I see another different NOS dash panel on EBay that looks identical to the one I returned

EBay Dash Panel

EBay auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Camaro-N-O-S-Dash-Panel-/320830957170?hash=item4ab303e672&item=320830957170&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr


My original dash panel looks like this:



Did the over the counter dash panels have that section removed for some reason???

[copo]

That PANEL, INSTRUMENT" part number: 8716458, group: 10.230 is for a Nova, I am not sure what year it fits, but going by the speaker grill opening I would say mid to late 70's.

[DavidS]

Wow!

Thanks COPO.

So both the 69 Camaro and the 70's Nova used the identical part number.  That is confusing!

Whoever ends up buying the EBay Nova one is going to be upset. 

[DavidS]

I could not find anything on the net on 8716458 being used on Novas and Camaros.  Is there any documentation on this?

I found a posting on Yenko.net where a guy had the exact same problem about 8 years ago.  Weird.

[william]

So both the 69 Camaro and the 70's Nova used the identical part number.  That is confusing!

Not true. The Nova dash does not have the two square cluster mounting holes next to the ash tray opening.

That was how you had to repair a rusty Camaro dash back then. Use the Nova part ['69-'79] and slice off the top. And correct the speaker grille.

[DavidS]

Not true. The Nova dash does not have the two square cluster mounting holes next to the ash tray opening.

William, THANKS for the clarification.  However, I still am confused about 8716458 which is supposed to be the correct panel.  I have seen 3 cases where 8716458 panels in the original box do not match what is originally on the car.

Is the over the counter panel just not 100% visually correct but functionally A-OK?  Was the over the counter panel supposed to be modified?

[william]

I worked in a Camaro business from 1983-1997. We did a weekly GMPD order as many parts were still available during that time. GMPD regularly substituted parts. Here's a few I remember:

'68 Z/28 rocker covers - sent chromed '69s
2 piece rotors - sent later 1 piece
'69 Camaro 396 emblem - sent '70 Nova emblem
'68-'69 rear spring anchor - sent '70 Camaro version w/sway bar bracket
12 bolt axle cover - sent '70 version with notch for bracket

Certain parts were never serviced, particularly plastic interior parts in colors other than black. "Paint to match" I guess.

Late model stuff was worse. They would supply a generic fender; you would have to cut brackets off the original and weld them yourself.

Careful buying "NOS"...

[DavidS]

I worked in a Camaro business from 1983-1997. We did a weekly GMPD order as many parts were still available during that time. GMPD regularly substituted parts. Heres's a few I remember:

'68 Z/28 rocker covers - sent chromed '69s
2 piece rotors - sent later 1 piece
'69 Camaro 396 emblem - sent '70 Nova emblem
'68-'69 rear spring anchor - sent '70 Camaro version w/sway bar bracket
12 bolt axle cover - sent '70 version with notch for bracket

Certain parts were never serviced, particularly plastic interior parts in colors other than black. "Paint to match" I guess.

Late model stuff was worse. They would supply a generic fender; you would have to cut brackets off the original and weld them yourself.

Careful buying "NOS"...

Ah.  Now that is clear!  Thanks!!!  I had been giving myself a headache trying to figure this out.

[Kelley W King]

Mid year corvettes were the same. If you ordered a grille or gas lid for any year they sent a 66 model. It seems if a later part fit they discontinued the others.