Frequently Asked Questions

Short answer: The 1967 console top had a satin-black “camera-case grain” finish. For 1968–69, Pontiac added a burled-walnut metal applique (with matching door and rear covers) and eliminated the rear ashtray and light.

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Short answer: The factory manual just says “remove the console,” so here’s the real procedure members use:

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Short answer: Only the 1967 Camaro console is the same as the “standard” console used in 1967–69 Firebirds. The shift-plate insert can be changed to suit either an automatic or a manual transmission.

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Short answer: The 1968 Custom Trim Option is code 554, and the trim-tag style number tells you what your car has. Note that the Custom Trim Option (554) and the Custom/Deluxe interior are separate — you can have the option with standard interior.

Any of these items could be ordered individually on a standard-interior car (22437/22467) — except the deluxe interior itself, which defines 22637/22667.

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Short answer: The 1968 Custom Trim option (554) included: Custom seat covers (Morrokide + stitched knit vinyl), custom molded door and quarter trim panels, the assist bar above the glovebox, dual horns, deluxe wheel covers, deluxe steering wheel, custom pedal trim, front & rear wheel-opening moldings, drip-rail moldings (coupes), and windshield-pillar garnish moldings.

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Short answer: The walnut knob was a 1968 factory or dealer option. Only the GTO used the unique “GTO crest” knob; everything else, Firebird included, used the “Pontiac Motor Division” knob with the shift-pattern design.

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Short answer: The part numbers: 984700 = 1968 Firebird/full-size 4-speed Custom Walnut knob; 9794300 = 1969 all 4-speed. This was a factory/dealer option for all Pontiacs, with a unique smaller GTO-crest version used on the GTO (’65–68).

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Short answer: A clean way to add a dual-gate to a Firebird automatic is to use a Hurst dual-gate from an Oldsmobile 442 — it’s the exact same size and form as the Firebird shifter (even the mounting holes match), and the console fits smoothly over it. The 442 unit has a bent stick (sits closer to the driver) and a more positive lock on the manual side than the straight-stick GTO version.

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Short answer: Collected walnut shift-knob part numbers (further verification welcome):

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Short answer: The original 1969 shifter was a Hurst Competition Plus — and says so on the body. Tells: the chrome handle is round except for a flat spot on each side stamped “Hurst,” and it slips into the top of the shifter arm (held by spring clips — release by slipping two feeler blades down the sides and pulling up).

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Short answer: Use an original (PMD) Competition Plus shifter and it fits the console without problems. The only functional difference from the aftermarket version is that the factory linkage rods use rubber bushings and are smaller diameter.

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Short answer: The 1967 console shell is the same for automatic or manual — only the shift bezel/plate is transmission-specific. So swap your automatic bezel for the 1967 4-speed bezel (repro available), add the stock boot and retainer plate, and a Hurst Competition Plus shifter works with or without the console.

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Short answer: Firebirds could never be ordered with the console gauge package — the image you saw is an early-production photo. Camaros offered it because their factory tach sat in the dash cluster; Pontiac put the Firebird’s tach on the hood, leaving room for the other gauges in the right dash pod.

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Short answer: The correct “PMD” walnut knobs for a 1968 with M/T floor shift:

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Short answer: Pull the push button off first (wrap it in a rag and use pliers). Under the knob, around the shaft, is a small snap ring — remove it with expanding snap-ring pliers and the knob lifts off.

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Short answer: No 1968s are known to have left the factory with the white 4-speed knob — possibly an early carry-over using leftover 1967 stock. Even very early 1968s are seen with the black knob, never white.

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Short answer: The correct 1969 console shifter has a brown woodgrain knob with a black push button (the bird emblem is on the end). When released, the button sticks up about 1/4″ above the knob.

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Short answer: A member produced an actual-size template for the 1968 4-speed shifter hole (for a column-to-floor conversion). Print it at actual size and follow the notes below.

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Short answer: Yes. 1967 automatics (including the 400) used a T-handle with the button inside the T. 1968 automatics used a T-handle with a button that wraps around the top and sides. For 1969, THM-equipped cars switched to a simulated-walnut round knob (button on top), and a T-handle was used only on the 2-speed automatic.

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Short answer: At the time of this discussion, there was no truly correct reproduction woodgrain for the 1968–69 console, dash trim, radio face, and ashtray — only options ranging from cheap “contact paper” to die-cut pieces that miss on grain/texture, edge and recess forming, and durable adhesive.

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