I picked up this console at a swap meet. I have some questions.

the wood grain can it be replaced, and look right?


what is this hole for?

the felt in the box how do I replace this?


and I assume the potmetal chrome can be re=chromed

The burlwood applique can be purchased and redone. Don't think it is too hard to find. The felt can be purchased as well. I would try Ames or NPD for the burlwood and the felt. The hole in the console looks like a clock mounting hole.

Re-chroming the pot metal is certainly possible, but the console chrome is a fairly intricate piece which (I think) would significantly increase the labour component of re-chroming. Depending on the degree of 'pock-marking' in the pot metal, it's quite a job to fill and level the surface prior to actual plating and polishing.

I would suggest that you get a (firm) price quote for the re-chroming and then compare it to the price of a reproduction Camaro console available from OER dealers (as I recall, it sells for something like $359-399). The chrome parts of both Camaro and Firebird consoles are identical for those years and are therefore interchangeable. Alternatively, you could do as I have done, and seek out another used console with better chrome for somewhat less money and simply sway the chrome on yours.

grant

The 'felt' I think is what is referred to as 'flocking', applied by sprinkling some of the fibre-like material over a surface covered with adhesive. Someone previously on this board dewscribed and showed good results from his effort to replace the flocking on the console.

grant

was the burlwood a after thought? I ask because the console with out it looks like a finished console w/the burlwood added later.

the consoles are the same for all three years...the 67s had camera grain, the burlwood was added as a 'deluxe' item to 68`s and 69s.

the pot metal chroming is going to be very expensive, very few will attempt it.

so what do I do if I want all standard inteior? my dash has the burlwood on it to.

not sure how the dash burlwood is attached ,so it may damage it to take it off? someone else may know.......but I bet it has the camera grain under...maybe try to 'trade' with someone who wants a burlwood upgrade dash?

All standard would be easy. The dash cluster in camera grain is reproduced for $200+ and a camera grain console (not sure if that's correct for a 68--it might be for Camaros and 67s only)is also reproduced for $300+, both from OER I think.

crap. I think I just keep it deluxe on the dash and console.
and the cheapest every where else. the seats are standard and the rears are good, just need the fronts recovered.

The burlwood came on both, standard and deluxe in 68 & 69.

The burlwood appliques that I have seen (no offence to anyone who may have tried) look nothing like the original and look like nothing more than old school contact paper people used to use in kitchen cabinets on the shelves etc.

so do I keep it looking like crap or a kitchen cabinet?

If it were me, I'd clean up an orignal the best I could opposed to the kitchen cabinet shelf paper route. LOL Just my opinion.

It amazes me in this day and age someone can't put out a decent matching product or a decent new repop console for the FGF.

are all the kits a sticky paper install? even the dash piece?

I think it would make this car look like crap with every thing else in the car new.

I need to see this kit installed. maybe the ones you saw they didnt take the time to remove the old and sand and polish the plate its on, then install it.
there is some rust bubbles under mine and peeling around the edges.

The 1967 Camaro console base ONLY will interchange with '67-69 Firebirds. '68 and '69 Camaro used a different console.

Search the site as I remember someone redid his burlwood himself and did a great job!

Here is the thread ... https://firstgenfirebird.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=204663

dame, I was just reading on doing just that.
Walnut Burlwood veneer real wood. but pricy , about 150+ in the veneer. I found some that has a sticky back to it. at 70.00sft ouch.
thanks for the link.

theres a guy making perfect burlwood for the dash,or at least did... think he even advertised here maybe?? not sure ,but he sold some on EBay...they were very good,.... now the applique for the console is a different story.

Hi Doug,

I recently replaced my console with an decent original one. I took parts from two consoles and made one nice one. I then ordered the burlwood "sticker" kit from NPD or Ames, and with the old extra parts built another console that I was planning on selling to make up some of the cost on building the nice one. If you want to see what the "sticker" looks like, I would be more than happy to send you a left-over piece so you can see it. Joe is correct, it doesn't look or feel like the original, but it's better than nothing.

You can get the black flocking kit at Michaels or any Craft store for about 12 bucks.

I used the custom cut "Mactac" (as Joe put it) and it turned out very well with some work and clamping. The result is good (not original, but clean and fresh) and the applique material quality is very good (no shrinking or movement in the hot sun.

I used the "shelf paper" on my console because it was assembled from pieces that had faded differently. It does not match the wood on the dash exactly but looks much better than it did before. If I could find an original console for a resonable price I would switch in a minute but until then, I am happy with the way it looks. I too am amazed that by now nobody has come up with a product that matches better.

mine has 3 different shades too...the original console had dings in the operating lid and was missing the ash tray cover...I bought another lid w/o dings...its slightly better, then found a cover from a coupe! meaning its lots better...not faded...

Did all 67-68 floorshift Firebirds have a console or was it optional?

Otto

my old 69 with a 4 spd did not have one. i think its a option for it.

ya , I was going to say . I've seen 4speeds w/o a console.