Topic: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback Original Dash Convenience Group Option

[bullitt68]

I am at the point now where I need to see what my dash panel sheet metal should look like. It looks like the dash was butchered at some point back in the day for a stereo perhaps. My car came with a 8 track from the factory in the lower console position. I am assuming that a radio would have gone in this position if there was no console ordered. Can anyone post a photo of what a dash should look like with the convenience group in the dash position so I can  reconstruct the correct dash.

Thanks

[ruppstang]

Are the pictures in this post your car? If so everything looks correct. The convenience panel goes in the center of the dash and that is where it goes unless your car has AC.

[bullitt68]

Are the pictures in this post your car? If so everything looks correct. The convenience panel goes in the center of the dash and that is where it goes unless your car has AC.

Yes both photos are of my car. once before restoration and one now. Imo the dash looks a bit beat up in that area as if modified poorly at some point for a radio perhaps and I am curious what it should look like as I am at the final stage of metal prep to paint the interior. Going to paint the entire interior Red Oxide and then paint the dash after that. I am hoping to use as single stage paint that will give a nice hard durable finish and try to avoid using the rattle can method. I had previously applied the rattle can paint before I decided to do a full restoration on my car. Personally I try to avoid rattle can products as I like a more durable and chip resistant paint. Hopefully I will find a product that will look close and give me what I am looking for.

[Bob Gaines]

Most likely you are already aware but just in case you are not I wanted to mention that the black interior is really Dark Charcoal Metallic in 68.

[bullitt68]

Most likely you are already aware but just in case you are not I wanted to mention that the black interior is really Dark Charcoal Metallic in 68.

Thanks Bob yes I am aware of that. I am just trying to find out how to mix up some paint that will give the original look

[Bossbill]

67 and 68 should be the same.
Here is my 67.

If the interior is black then the correct color is a charcoal metallic, not black.

[bullitt68]

67 and 68 should be the same.
Here is my 67.

If the interior is black then the correct color is a charcoal metallic, not black.

Thanks Bill. I have tried the rattle can Charcoal Metallic, but I am looking to mix up some good single stage paint that will look just like the correct factory color

[bullitt68]

67 and 68 should be the same.
Here is my 67.

If the interior is black then the correct color is a charcoal metallic, not black.

It looks like your car had the knee style dash pad. Do you have a black interior also. Did you notice on my car that it looks like there was a centre bar in the rectangle or is that just an optical illusion. I am assuming that yours is original

[Bossbill]

67s still had the knee bar.
The interior here is black. What you see is dp90 primer. No metallic coat yet.
I have a PPG mix for the charcoal metallic. I can dig that out tomorrow.

I wondered about that "center bar" of yours. My car appears unmolested in this area.
People with 68s may offer up what this may be (if original to 68s).

[bullitt68]

67s still had the knee bar.
The interior here is black. What you see is dp90 primer. No metallic coat yet.
I have a PPG mix for the charcoal metallic. I can dig that out tomorrow.

I wondered about that "center bar" of yours. My car appears unmolested in this area.
People with 68s may offer up what this may be (if original to 68s).

Great thanks Bill. I will try to get a better photo, but it does look like there was a centre bar from that photo

[ruppstang]

They had the center bar unless they had AC or in this case convenience light panel. The radio area was hacked up on out 68 GT350, this was the repair that shows the center bar in place.

[bullitt68]

They had the center bar unless they had AC or in this case convenience light panel. The radio area was hacked up on out 68 GT350, this was the repair that shows the center bar in place.

That is great thanks. I will put the bar back in. I have not checked yet but I shall just to make sure that the bar does not interfere with the convenience group lights. At a glance it looks like the bar is in-between the lights

[67gtasanjose]

This detail of a "center bar" or a divider bar in this opening is new to me.
Another nuance of differences between 67 and 68. Notice Bill's 67 could have never had the divider (like mine never had a divider). In my opinion, it was stamped using different stamping dies.

If I were restoring a 68 with factory Convenience Group, I would make sure this WAS NOT a factory alteration before repairing the divider.

[bullitt68]

This detail of a "center bar" or a divider bar in this opening is new to me.
Another nuance of differences between 67 and 68. Notice Bill's 67 could have never had the divider (like mine never had a divider). In my opinion, it was stamped using different stamping dies.

If I were restoring a 68 with factory Convenience Group, I would make sure this WAS NOT a factory alteration before repairing the divider.

Good point Richard. I checked 2 friends cars and they have the bar and convince group and no air of course. However it would be good to have 100% confirmation. I know my car came with the convenience group. What I don't know is when & why the bar on my car was removed

[ruppstang]

This detail of a "center bar" or a divider bar in this opening is new to me.
Another nuance of differences between 67 and 68. Notice Bill's 67 could have never had the divider (like mine never had a divider). In my opinion, it was stamped using different stamping dies.

IMHO the entire dash stamping is different between 67 and 68. The biggest difference is the ash tray, a 67 will not fit in a 68.