Does anyone have an NOS,reconditioned,or extremely nice top plate for a 70 GS automatic console? Mine has the typical peppering. Looking for something nicer.
Brian, got sum'n for ya. You may be aware, years ago I restored quite a few SHOW Auto consoles.... Expensive but ABSOLUTELY SHOW quality. Well, a few years ago, I disassembled 7 consoles, and Good Friend, the late great Kenny462 from Denver and I, worked out a deal with his 'buddy" to rechrome 4 or 5 console top plates... I had planned to buy them back from Kenny with the intent to restore a few more consoles to sell. Kenny passed away before we could get the ball rolling on this idea. Recently, Kennys son, sent me a box of restored console tops, they are rechromed, however, they are BARE, they do not have felts or decals and need PRNDLL letters to be painted. I DO HAVE a box of felt BRACKETS, that I will need to glue on felts if you want that part of a TOP PLATE completed. These console top plates are nice, they are a bit too wavy for my taste, (typical during chrome stripping process) but the chrome is very nice, brite and shiney. Lemono if you want to proceed with conversations regarding the condition you want me to provide the top plate to be, ie: complete, or bare or? Wheelz, Tampa Bay
It’s a possibility. I thought about sending mine to rechrome because it would be a good one to do,but I’m not sure how to safely and correctly reattach the felts. Let me know what you would want for one.
Brian, First, LOCATING felt product, cleaning, media blasting & preparing the brackets for felts, applying the felt materials to the brackets correctly so the felt wont bind up when the shifter slides back and forth, then ATTACHING those brackets to the replated console top, is indeed, the most labor intensive tedious part of console restorations... This is fact and I approve this message. LOL No, its not impossible but it does take lotsa patience. Up to this point, I have to admit, I have NOT thought this entire process thru, but here are some options I may consider offering: STAGE 1: Bare, replated console TOP, NO CORE needed, (keep your original) top plate only $200. STAGE 2: Re apply FELTS to (4) brackets and attach securely to replated chrome top plate, $325. STAGE 3: 1 and 2 above PLUS- painted PRNDLL, attached NEW repro woodgrain decal, INCLUDING new REPRO console storage DOOR LID CHROME ONLY with matching woodgrain, no latch - (Plastic BUICK insert as shown NOT included)... $595. Shipping additional. Wheelz, Tampa Bay
I would be interested in stage 2 or 3 if you fell you can reattach the felts correctly. That is pot metal,and the originally burned or melted the tabs down to secure the felt. Since they have already been melted once,what material you you have left to do it again? I was pondering that yesterday as I was looking at my top plate.
Those are nice. Were any chromed with the rails left on? I know felt and glue would be an issue. I cleaned mine with out removing the rails. I dont have any idea on how to reconnect rails. Mine came out fair.. a few blems. I might be wanting a better one.
YES. I. CAN! ...and I've performed the task quite successfully more than a few times with consoles I've restored. . . BTW, the "TABS" for those felt brackets were originally cast POT METAL studs/tangs that were "compressed or hammered down" to afix the brackets to the top base, almost like a rivet. The real issue is HOW TO CAREFULLY REMOVE the brackets without totally destroying those little studs...!!! Most of the console CORES I used to buy were damaged because guys would PRY OFF the felt brackets and bust off the tangs so there was nothing left to attach them back on to. Kenny462 tired several ways to do it and was pretty much an UN successful challenging mess. . . Im not motivated to give such secrets away, however, thru much trial & error, I did come up with a successful way to securely attach the brackets back on to those posts no matter how much, or how little is left to attach... like I said, its tricky and quite time consuming. . . SO, how about you email me direct to discuss the next step to get you a new console centerpiece!!! PenWheelz4@gmail.com Wheelz, Tampa Bay
Rich, the RAILS as you call them, or FELT BRACKETS as I callum, MUST BE REMOVED to replate the top chrome. The replating process cannot decipher two different types of metals... Wheelz, Tampa Bay
I guess one other question would be: Has anyone installed a top plate without the felts,and if so,how did it look,or how noticeable was it? This car obviously won’t get the use,abuse,dust/dirt like these originally got,so just thinking out loud as far as how critical they might be.
The FELTS actually finish off the shifter and keep it clean appearing. Otherwise, you would be able to see down the shifter arms into the console base making it look mechanically cluttered. . . Just my .02cw Wheelz, Tampa Bay
I would go with Stage2 as long as you can attach the felts properly. I already have the woodgrains & the chrome top for the lid.
I am soo sorry Brian, somehow with all the stuff going on I totally dropped the ball on this.. .. If you are still interested, contact me direct. I am better at personal emails than replying on this forum which I fail to respond in a timely manner. . . Conversation sent. Wheelz, Tampa Bay
Yup. Got it Brian! FWIW I am working on a few restored auto-console chrome plates at this time. Just researching FELT materials as my supplier from years ago has passed away. . .... so, stay Tuned! Wheelz, Tampa Bay
