A GS 455 "CORRECTNESS" Question for Duane? Can anyone tell me if a beige similated woodgrain handle would be correct for a 1971 GS 455 automatic shifter handle? Gary (GMoz) seems to think it should be black but I thought the black auto shifter handles ended in 1969. Anyone know for sure? :Smarty:
Al, I will go out on a limb and tell you that the only handles that are woodgrain were 70's.I have seen 69's with black and have at least (4) 71-72 black ones too.I think Gary is correct.
Yeah, Yeah I know. Just don't want Jeff to think the car I sold him had the wrong part on it. The woodgrain style handle was always on the car and even had a fair amount of wear so it appears original. I knew the original owners and they never changed it, but you never know.
Al, As far as I know the 71's should be the black camera finish. But honestly if you sold him the car with a woodgrain handle he got a bonus. I am sure that some on this BB would trade him the correct black one and CASH to get his handle. Duane
From what I have seen the 70's are the wood grain. I have a 70 GS 455 console that has it. I also have a couple 71-72's. They all have the black. Dustin
Owen, I don't think Fisher Body cared if the car had stripes or not. If the car shell called for a D55 Automatic console, then they pulled it off the shelf and stuck it in. Duane
My 71 has a wooden handle and I have no reason to think it was ever changed. It was a very early 71 though (aug 28, 1970). later Tim
Tim, I have seen a lot of other parts that crossed into the next year's production. It's not like they drew a line in the sand and said, this is it, and started "throwing out" the rest of the parts. I will check to see if the assembly manual mentions anything about this, maybe in a revision. Duane
Duane is absolutely correct I can back Duane up here about the leftovers.I parted a 1972 4 dr Skylark Custom a few years ago and I kept the cowl tag and vin tag.On the vin tag,there is still the tang with a rivet in it.The tang is gold.It is 57 Antique Gold(not available as a 71 color)vin number444371H164046.Here is where it gets odd.The cowl tag(wit #57 overspray on it reads: ST 72 43369 FL1 144806BDY TR108 57 57 PNT 01C A52 You will notice the early build date and that it was a 72 cowl tag with 72 color but a 71 vin.It had all the 72 stuff on it bumpers,bezels,grille etc.I also owned a 1972 GS 350 stripper model that came with a bench auto on column and non power brakes etc that had 71 type bumpers on it.(had no rubbers).So I guess you can almost expect anyting anymore. Pat
Thanks Scott, then I'm to assume an early 71 GS could have had a woodgrain handle? Can't remember the build date of Jeff's car. Jeff?
