body and interior Steering Column Trim Panels

[Conserv]

I'm confident that some members here will know when the metal lower trim panel for the steering column was superseded by the plastic lower trim panel (PN 32311110912, generally marked 1.108.581.1). The padded and vinylized upper trim panel similarly underwent a transformation: it grew a "center hump," the small VIN tag was rotated 90 degrees from a left-right orientation to a fore-aft orientation, and the four M6 x 55mm fillister-head screws securing it changed from machine screws to sheet metal screws. I can't say for certain that all of these changes happened simultaneously!

I'm trying to determine which trim panels are appropriate for an October '72 car (VIN 2762757). A July '72 tii (VIN 2762204) that I parted 40 years ago had the metal lower trim panel, with a rubbery insert for the ignition key surround. It had the left-right oriented VIN tag and the "hump-less" upper trim panel. My April '76 car has the plastic lower trim panel, a fore-aft oriented VIN tag, and a "hump" on its upper trim panel. I believe an October '72 car would have had the "earlier-style" trim panels like the totaled tii. But one thing bothers me: the plastic lower trim panels (generally marked 1.108.581.1) are often dated (19)72. So when were the lower and upper trim panel changes put into effect?

(I'd post photos but I've not been able to post a photo to this forum since I "upgraded" to iOS 8.0 last week!)

EDIT: An upgrade to the iOS 8.0 "upgrade" fixed my photo issue. The first photo below is of a plastic lower trim panel. The second photo below compares the earlier style upper trim panel (left) with the later style upper trim panel (right).

Thanks and regards,

Steve

Edited February 2, 2015 by Conserv

[ray_]

You parted a tii 40 years ago?? How dare you!

 

 

[Conserv]

You parted a tii 40 years ago?? How dare you!

And it was Colorado!

It was REALLY bent: t-boned on the driver's side! I don't have any photos but, from what I remember, it would have been a parts car EVEN today -- I suppose!

Best regards,

Steve

Edited September 22, 2014 by Conserv

[gaius]

my 72 was aluminum, the 73 plastic. i am sticking with the 72 stuff where ever possible. 72 bumpers are better looking, and the 72 did not have a stupid seatbelt light on the dash.

Edited September 22, 2014 by gaius

[ray_]

Uh, nothing to see here.

 

As you were!

 

Edited September 22, 2014 by ray_

[nutbehindthewheel]

All my 72 & 73's had the metal lower cover and we're original to the cars I had,

haven't owned many 74's so can't say for sure, and my 76 was 1/2 68, so don't put

the plastic cover or the hump upper cover on a roundie if you want to stay original

[ray_]

Oh wait, my '73's were/are metal. I was thinking you were talking about that fiber panel.

 

Oops.

[Conserv]

Now we're getting somewhere! Is it possible that the '72 date on the plastic lower trim panels was/is due to usage in non-U.S. markets?

(Carl, I know your '74 tii is a one-owner car: metal or plastic lower trim panel?)

Thanks and regards,

Steve

[Dave3x72tii]

plastic/hump are facelift parts, called model 73 because europe got the new stuff amodel year earlier than us, with production starting in late 72 

[Conserv]

plastic/hump are facelift parts, called model 73 because europe got the new stuff amodel year earlier than us, with production starting in late 72

Thanks, Dave. That would explain the '72 date on the plastic lower trim panels!

Regards,

Steve

[02Les]

plastic/hump are facelift parts, called model 73 because europe got the new stuff amodel year earlier than us, with production starting in late 72 

Model 73 (Europe) '02s started August 1973.

[Conserv]

Model 73 (Europe) '02s started August 1973.

There goes the "switchover happened with square taillight re-design" explanation for the '72 dating on the plastic lower panels!

Thanks,

Steve

Edited September 23, 2014 by Conserv

[PaulTWinterton]

My 73 #2762958 (mfgd date Nov72) is metal, r/l vin, rubbery insert.

[Conserv]

Despite being obsessed with manufacturing dates on parts, I believe I will follow the idea that U.S. '73 model year cars continued to use the metal lower trim panel, left-right VIN tag, and hump-less upper trim panel!

(I've tried to discredit the "72" on the plastic lower trim panels as a date, but it's even got the surrounding edges of its circle divided into 4 quadrants, like so many German date castings. But I intend to forget that...at least for now!)

Thank you for your input,

Steve

EDIT: Based on Mike's entry below, a '73 would not have had the later style upper trim panel but probably would have had the plastic lower trim panel -- with exceptions, of course!

Edited September 26, 2014 by Conserv

[S762002]

My early 72, VIN 2579483, has a left/right oriented VIN tag, no hump on upper panel, and a lower vinyl padded panel (similar to upper panel in thickness) secured with sheet metal screws. They were original to the car when I bought it new in March 1972.