1969 Console, woodgrain or not?

[69 300 vert]

My '69 300 has a wood grain shift knob but the console is plain smooth aluminum, no woodgrain. It's always struck me as odd. Now that I've seen this video, I wonder if I'm supposed to have woodgrain or if my shift knob is wrong?

 

[69CoronetRT]

I can't speak to C bodies per se but there was a change in shifter knobs during the 69 Model year for B bodies from the chrome tulip to the wood ball. Does the same apply to 'early' and 'late' C bodies?

 

[69 300 vert]

I don't know, but IIRC, my cars build date was March 24, 1969. I kinda thought the woodgrain treatment was reserved for New Yorkers and Imperials?

 

[polara71]

I can't speak to C bodies per se but there was a change in shifter knobs during the 69 Model year for B bodies from the chrome tulip to the wood ball. Does the same apply to 'early' and 'late' C bodies?

Reeely? Your knowledge always impresses me, where do you put it?

 

[69CoronetRT]

Reeely? Your knowledge always impresses me, where do you put it?

I have always had the ability to retain the most meaningless information. I was the guy to have on your team for Trivial Pursuit. Rock and Roll Jeopardy was a breeze.

 

[JJ300]

My previous 69 300 had plain console top, and chrome shift knob. My understanding on the knob was that the chrome were left over from 68, so early builds got them til they ran out and went with wood grain. As far as console top, seems most c bodies I have seen had the plain aluminum, but all repros now have wood grain. But I know no specific reason why C's had plain aluminum...and if I could find one I'd buy it ..lol

 

[MrMoparCHP]

My 69 Polara (SPD 12/12/68) has the wood knob and aluminum console, I can't say it is correct as I know the previous owner replaced the console.


Alan

 

[70 Sport Suburban]

Here's a 69 Sport Fury console chrome shift knob sorry I don't have the build date at all.

 

[69 300 vert]

Here's a 69 Sport Fury console chrome shift knob sorry I don't have the build date at all.

View attachment 468732

The lack of head restraints says it's 1968 production. So that fits the narrative. And I prefer the chrome knob w/o the woodgrain.

 

[bluefury361]

Up to Jan 1st 1969 the chrome tulip knob is correct. Changed to the wood grain after that. The fluted chrome console top is correct on a C body.

 

[69 300 vert]

But it's NOT fluted, it's plain & smooth. See the pic below the video.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

But it's NOT fluted, it's plain & smooth. See the pic below the video.

Mine is not fluted either, I think it is an earlier thing (like 68)


Alan

 

[69CoronetRT]

Up to Jan 1st 1969 the chrome tulip knob is correct. Changed to the wood grain after that. The fluted chrome console top is correct on a C body.

Non federal safety mandates (i.e. headrests) for hard and fast change over dates are difficult to prove. The parts book references through the chrome vs black button change (tulip vs wooden knob) a transition to start in October. B body wood knobs seem to become prevalent in January depending on the plant. I would presume available inventory was used up as needed in C body plants also and the change over happened when inventories ran out.

 

[66l78rat]

Mid Jan 69 SF has wood knob,brushed aluminum console top plate

 

[69CoronetRT]

Mid Jan 69 SF has wood knob, brushed aluminum console top plate

Which plant?

 

[Gelgoog13]

Here is mine factory 69 Newport. Early production, Nov 7 , 68

 

[furious70]

Build date long gone but my brother had a 69 charger with tulip and chrome top

 

[Polara500Fan]

My '69 300 has a wood grain shift knob but the console is plain smooth aluminum, no woodgrain. It's always struck me as odd. Now that I've seen this video, I wonder if I'm supposed to have woodgrain or if my shift knob is wrong?



View attachment 468719

FWIW - my 1969 Polara 500 2-door had wood grain and the chrome tulip. The black accent, chrome and wood grain really looked sharp, certain that was the factory ship configuration for that vehicle.

 

[bluefury361]

But it's NOT fluted, it's plain & smooth. See the pic below the video.

I need to clarify my statement about the console top. Most 1969 C body's were of the fluted chrome but with a brushed aluminum insert in the top

 

[MrMoparCHP]

Here is what is in my 69 Polara

Alan