1967 Camaro Dash Pads

[67stripper]

I have an 11B 1967 Camaro convertible that I've owned since 1978 with 75K miles. I'm doing some work on it and took the dash pad off to paint the top of the dash as I have the windshield out. Attached is a photo of the dash pad next to the console and another dash pad in front of it. The dash pad from the car has seven attachment studs and the other has only four attachment studs. The other dash pad I've had for many years as a backup in case I need it. I also have another that I bought a few years ago that also has four attachment studs. All of these dash pads appear original GM. I believe the one from the convertible is original to the car.

Does anyone know what the difference is between the seven attachment stud dash pad and the four attachment stud one and when the change was made or if the four stud is Firebird?

[Mike S]

 I just looked at my '67 05B NOR convertible dash pad and it has 7 studs but only 4 were used (the other 3 have never been tapped and are smooth). It looks like every other stud was used starting from the end so only 4 that were tapped with speed nuts. Maybe the second one you have is a late '67 and the other unused 3 studs were omitted to save costs.

Mike

[67stripper]

Thanks for the reply Mike. Looks like the dash pad attachment changed during the year from seven studs attached, to seven studs with four attached to four studs only. At least at NOR. I can see that as getting these pad stud nuts out is difficult and was probably as difficult during assembly. Four studs seems fine for holding them on and when new pads were ordered for assembly the extra studs were probably deleted. For reference my convertible is a NOR car. Although perhaps the four stud pads were LOS. Don't know where the four stud pads came from that I have as I bought them at swap meets over the years.

Blake

[luv2sixty9]

The seven might be a very early dash pad. My June 67 Z28 has only the four mounting studs.

[big iron]

Mike,
My 05E has seven and all used.
Bob

[67conv6cyl]

My original 04A only has 4
Paul

[big iron]

My original 04A only has 4
Paul

4 studs or only 4 being used?
Bob

[67conv6cyl]

only 4 studs

[big iron]

The seven might be a very early dash pad. My June 67 Z28 has only the four mounting studs.

So much for seven studs being early style dash pad.
1967 Body by Fisher Service Manual 5-6 and 5-7 shows the seven positions for the studs ("F-B" body) but does not actually specify how many.
Bob

[Mike S]

 That's why I feel the 4 stud version is a later production run with the 3 other posts eliminated to save $$$$.

Mike

[big iron]

That's why I feel the 4 stud version is a later production run with the 3 other posts eliminated to save $$$$.

Mike

Problem is Paul's 04A has 4 studs.
Bob

[Mike S]

 Unless two suppliers existed and 7 studs were made first and a change was done and the 4 studs were phased in but the existing inventory was not used up yet being there was no rotate stock practice. Sort of like first in and last out.
Or, I wonder its a NOR vs. LOS supplier thing. My LOS is wrapped up tight while the NOR gets its clear flow coated so I can't look at that right now. I'm curious too. 
Hmmmm....reminds me of Dirty Harry......"I know what you're thinking, plant manager. You're thinking 'Did he screw on seven nuts or only four?' Now to tell you the truth I forgot myself in all this mass production line excitement. But being this is a Snap On wrench, the most powerful tool in the world and will speed nut you head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: 'Do I feel lucky?'

Mike

[big iron]

Paul's 04A dispels first in and last out, but NOR vs. LOS may be the reason as LOS probably would have different suppliers.
Sounds like you are getting close. Are you clear coating over stripes or adding stripes after clear coat?
Bob

[Mike S]

Hi Bob,

   Flatness is more important to me than gloss so right now I'm flow coating over the first layers of blocked clear to get a flat as possible surface (remove the very faint urethane ripples) then I plan to stripe using PPG DCC gloss black over clear (SPI) just to keep the 'edge'.

Mike

[big iron]

Are you doing the stripe with the sheet metal together or individually?
Bob