Topic: Running change on 68 arm rest

[ruppstang]

I am working on a SJ coupe built 8-24 67 on the third day of 68 production. I noticed that the arm rest has three mounting holes. Most that I have seen have just two holes. I went through my box of arm rests and found another with three holes. I am not sure if this is a change or a supplier difference. 

[67gtasanjose]

Be careful in assumptions (of course, you already know that).
Items like armrests fit multiple CARLINES and are often replaced very early on.

[ruppstang]

Yes I am aware that there are other Ford lines that share similar parts. I am open to any theories about changes or different suppliers.  I pulled a door out of storage and found that it was ready to go for the three hole arm rest. It would be great if someone has a unrestored car that uses the three hole design.

[J_Speegle]

Marty will look through the picture files during the next couple of weeks and report back if I can or can not find supporting data points. We'll see what happens. Guess we'll have to start a Running Change Big Thread for 68's also at some point. This may be the start

[Laurie S.]

I do remember one thing about the 68 arm rests, they were pulling off very easily.  I had to take my coupe in twice to get them attached more securely and it was covered by Ford.  This was after owning the car about six months.  Maybe that has something to do with the different holes.

[ruppstang]

We have had several late 68s and none had the three holes. All doors that I have looked at have a hole for the third clip.

I wonder if this was a service part made to fix a problem like Laurie's car had.

I'll clean one of the three hole ones up and look for a part number.

[67gta289]

In the 1960-68 MPC (December 1967) the basic black service part was C8ZZ-6524140-B1A.

Comparing that to the 1975 MPC, the number changed to C8ZZ-6524140-D1A.

Standard versions all went from -B to -D.

The interior decor version went from the -A series to -C.

Perhaps this is a piece of the puzzle?

[ruppstang]

I found some part numbers on them today.

This is the two hole armrest C8ZB-6524141-DW-EJ-A This one is Black

The three hole armrest C8ZB-6524140-BW   Ford G579A This one is Blue

One is a RH and one is a LH.

[67gta289]

Based on this it sounds like the two hole, rev D, was the replacement for the original 3 hole, rev B.

Does that make any sense?

[ruppstang]

Yes that does make sense. The three hole arm rest was on the 8-24-67 S code I am restoring. The engineers must have felt that the third mounting was not necessary.

I wish we could see the armrest holes in the pictures in the 68 unrestored T code that was built 8-22-67 in the unrestored section of this forum.

[J_Speegle]

I wish we could see the armrest holes in the pictures in the 68 unrestored T code that was built 8-22-67 in the unrestored section of this forum.

Will look through that collection (if I didn't post them all) when I get back. Did go through a first pass of just 68 San Jose cars the other night just to separate the arm rest pictures but haven't got a chance to sit down and chart what they show. Skipped restored cars like I do most of the time.

Will report back to the thread