[70FormulaCA]

For a 1970, was the center console different from 1971 and up? If so, what are the differences?

[2manyT/A'S]

From MY observations,70-79 Firebird/Trans am front consoles were the same,with the obvious exceptions being auto vs 4 speed & power windows.

70-72 Camero consoles were TOTALLY different & in 73 they went to a slightly modified 70 Firebird style.

[johnta1]

How about the seat belt holder on them?
(what years were they?)

[FrankieT/A]

My '71 looks identical to my '78 except the seat belt holders on the '71. FWIW

[68bird400HO]

From my observations, the consoles are identicle shape from 70-79 like 2many says. However I have noted a few differences other than that. First, the seat belt holders for 70-72. Second, the early ones (70-72, i believe) were made out of a thinner plastic hence are a little flimsier and usually broken. Third, the graining changed somewhere in the mid/late 70s. The earlier ones had a smooth grain while the late ones had more of the madrid style graining. I am not exactly sure when that change over occurred. Actually, one other difference is that map pocket changed slightly, I think with the dash radio opening change.

[2manyT/A'S]

Black plastic seat belt clips were 70-71 ONLY.

I believe that the map pocket changed in 1980 (it actually went AWAY) & was covered up by a trim plate which was used to hide the ECM for the ESC.

The only "grained" consoles I've found were not original equipment.

I got one in one of my 72 4 speed cars that was "grained" & it had a GM part # tag on the backside which would indicate that it was sold over the parts counter.

(this car was restored in the mid 80's)

The 1981 turrbo cars also had a "boost light" switch provison just under the front edge of console box.

[68bird400HO]

I know that in '80 the map pocket went away, however, there was a slight modification to the later plastic map pocket insert that I believe had to do with the clearance for the later dash with the larger radio opening. On the earlier ones, If you follow the chromed edge on the face, it goes up and over the top of the sides and that edge is rounded at the top. On the later ones, that rounded top edge is cut off.

Here are two ebay auctions showing the difference. The first is a repop of the early style with the rounded top edge. The second looks like an NOS later style.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-81-FIRE...sories&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-81-Pont...sories&vxp=mtr

[Dens71TA]

Map pocket changed in '78 with the redesign of the dash for the larger Delco radios. The dash is lower and actually touches the console so the map pocket chrome bead that wraps around onto the top of the console had to be removed.

The graining on the console definitely did change between the early and later 70s. My original '71 console is much smoother than the console in my dad's '78 T/A that he bought new.

[71HO4SPD]

While we are on the subject of consoles/map pockets....did only deluxe interiors get the chrome trim on the map pocket no matter the year?. Did a search but could not find the answer. This was a topic before I believe.

[TA455HO]

Here?

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=571045

[blue71ta]

Originally Posted by 71HO4SPD

While we are on the subject of consoles/map pockets....did only deluxe interiors get the chrome trim on the map pocket no matter the year?. Did a search but could not find the answer. This was a topic before I believe.

all map pockets had the chrome trim, regardless of which interior you ordered (standard or custom)

that other thread that mentions the silver paint pen is a cheap fix & looks decent, but they originally had a chrome trim on them.

[71HO4SPD]

Thanks for clearing that up. Is it possible to have these re-chromed?

[Pepi]

Originally Posted by blue71ta

all map pockets had the chrome trim, regardless of which interior you ordered (standard or custom)

that other thread that mentions the silver paint pen is a cheap fix & looks decent, but they originally had a chrome trim on them.

My original 73 doesn't have "chrome" on it, it is more like the silver paint.

[blue71ta]

Originally Posted by Pepi

My original 73 doesn't have "chrome" on it, it is more like the silver paint.

the chrome fades with age & ends up looking silver after many years.

The shifter escutcheons (on console cars) came with the chrome trim also, but ended up faded or gone completely after 39 years...

[FunctionalShaker]

I believe Eastwood has come out with a new paint to mimic this chrome. Haven't tried it yet.

[70FormulaCA]

So a NOS console for a 1970 should have the seat belt clips attached...otherwise it's probably not for a 70-71? Or did NOS consoles not include the clips and the originals would have to be removed from the old console and installed on the NOS console?

[317th FMS]

My NOS console purchased in 1985 did not have the clips

[FrankieT/A]

317, did the NOS console have the holes for the clips?

[317th FMS]

No they did not

[70FormulaCA]

Can't remember now but how are the clips mounted? w rivets?