In my quest of making my 1979 Mustang Cobra as concours as I can get I am always looking for NOS parts. I always try to restore my original parts first, but like in this case, I have not found a way to recreate the Chrome around the edges of my bezel. There is chrome/silver paint and I have tried that. It works ok but it is not chrome.
I love Bob Perkins articles in Mustang Monthly. It is my favorite article. I love to read about the 'correct' part.
So while buying parts for this car for its future restoration, it has been educational as well. I thought I would pass along some things that I have found out.
The first two I bought were an E0(80) ans an E1(81) Bezels.
The E0 part # has the correct turn signal design compared to my 79.
Look at the E1 part # it has a different turn signal design. I also just noticed the fasten seat belt logo is different.
I found a sweet deal on a NOS 79 Dash Bezel. I got it for 50% less than the other two. The ones I posted earlier are after looking are an 80 and 81.
So, Ford in its wisdom has three different bezels for each year of the Cobra.
So I was determined to find out why Ford made a D9, E0 and E1 Bezel. There has to be some change for a part number change.
Here is the 80 on top and 79 bezel on bottom.
I played eye spy on these two.
So what is the difference. I looked at the font on the warning lights, nope the same. Engine turning the same. Same size. Same AC bezels. Same around the steering column, wait ....
Really??
79
80
So maybe this is a fluke? So I went to the garage and sure enough there is a difference my Cobra does not have the column lip like the 80 version.
My 79 Cobra Bezel
So there it is. In 80 Ford made these a lot sturdier. Maybe people we're complaining that they broke? Not sure.
Then they made the change in 81 with the turn arrows. Seems like a lot of work for minor changes.
