Correct 1968 quarter panel arm rest ash tray insert?

[bowtie68iho]

I've noticed two different types of quarter panel arm rest ash tray chrome inserts, one with the tab in the center and one with the tab at the end.  Attached, are photos of reproduction ones from NPD's online catalog for perspective.  The NPD catalog says the one with the tab in the center is for 1967 Camaros and the one with the tab at the end is for 1968-69 Camaros.  However, the Camaro Master Parts Catalogue No. 691A (November 1968, revised July 1969) lists three different rear quarter arm rest ash tray assemblies under Group 12.045 as follows:

1967: 7653741
1968: 7740365
1969: 8761461

I have two show-chromed restored 68 original ribbed ash tray lids but do not have the two original chrome inserts.  I'm looking for a pair of original inserts to get re-chromed and want to get the correct ones.  I test-fitted both reproduction types with the different tab locations in my original lids and both types fit.  Which insert type is factory correct?

[bertfam]

Here's my 05D build 1968 convertible. (And the "snuffer" is toward the rear on the driver side and toward the front on the passenger side)

Also note that those part numbers are for the "assembly" which is the housing, lid and receptacle. Why there's a different part number for the 69 Camaro is beyond me. I've also been under the assumption that 68 and 69 were the exact same!

Ed

[cook_dw]

For some reason I thought the 69's had a smooth top and 67/8 had the grooves.?.  Going off memory so I could be off.

[bertfam]

The 1967 Firebird had the smooth lid. The 1967, 1968 and 1969 Camaro were ribbed (for her pleasure!)

1967 had 6 ribs and 1968-1969 had 4 ribs

Ed

[169INDY]

Oh My ^^
I have the Convert, just wish I was young again.

Signed
Old Man.

[bowtie68iho]

Thank you, Ed.  Hopefully, a CRG member can shed a light on the differences between the 1968 (P/N 7740365) and 1969 (P/N 8761461) assemblies.

Bernie

[67conv6cyl]

67 was not smooth, they actually have more groves…here is my factory original unrestored rear armrest on my convertible. April built Norwood car.

[bertfam]

67 was not smooth, they actually have more groves

Oh that's right. The 67 Firebird had the smooth lid (P/N 8801663 as shown below)

Thanks Paul!

Ed

[67conv6cyl]

I learn things on this site all the time…..never knew Firebirds were smooth!

[David K]

1968 Convertible built 11E …..and apparently someone was eating a Milky Way back there.

*added year - Kurt*

[bowtie68iho]

David,

Can you clarify your post for 11E...1967 or 1968 convertible?

Bernie

[David K]

68--thanks Kurt!

[bertfam]

Well David. You have the 68-69 lid but the 67 receptacle so either they're been replaced or early to mid 68's came with the 67 version. Now we need to get more data points so I think I'll move this to the Research Topics section and see if we can get more input.

So... Anyone with a 1968 Camaro with the rear arm rest ashtrays, please post what you have in the way of the lid (how many ribs) and what you have in the way of the receptacle snubber (located in the middle - 1967 version, or at the front/rear - 1968/1969 version). Also post the assembly plant and the build date of your car.

So far what we have is:

Year    Plant    build date   lid       snubber     member

1968    LOS      05D             4 rib     front/rear   bertfam

1967    NOR      11E             4 rib     middle        David K

Ed

[David K]

This is an interesting topic, and i can affirm since December of 1986 the ashtrays have only been removed during restoration to install into the new panels. I did this myself, and althoughrusty, they were never used. I don't know if this is related at all, but my car has the leftover 67 quarters without the astro ventilation cutout.