'64 Chevelle with dash top mounted clock ??

[Verne_Frantz]

Trying to help a friend again:
What is the correct color for the dash top clock on a car with a tach? Satin black, gray or body color? I've seen a lot of Z-16s with black clocks, but haven't seen an original '64. The issue comes up because he has one that's gray on the pot metal, and has seen another one advertised that is also gray. I'm used to seeing some dash parts nos that are gray when they need to be painted the interior color, so I'm wondering. IF they were supposed to be black, why wouldn't an nos one just come black in the first place?
A photo of a known legit '64 clock would be very helpful. One of these days, I'm going to find time to work on my own stuff.

Verne

[Paul_S]

Verne,

I believe the black body clock started with the newer design in '65. For the early clocks (early face design) I've seen a few NOS that are gray or maybe silver (early '60's) and I have a few pics of a very dark gray or black one that could be late for that design.

I'll have to check my parts book but the part # should be the same for Corvair, Chevy II and Chevelle. I don't have any pics of a factory installed unit and haven't seen any but maybe a 'Vair site has some.

Paul

[Verne_Frantz]

Thanks Paul,
This little issue is bugging me and my friend. I'm used to seeing nos small interior parts come in gray, to be painted to match the interior color. It makes sense because it saved Chevy having to have a different p/n for the same part in every color. So, we have seen a couple gray ones, but I'm not aware of a gray interior color in '64. (not familiar with Corvair that well).
I guess the tach option wasn't that popular in '64, so there aren't many original examples out there...

Verne

PS: When you say "early face design", does that imply '64 or just early '64? This is the first I've heard of that. Could you explain the differences. His has white numerals on a black face with 12-3-6-& 9 printed. The rest are hash marks. (orange needles).

[Paul_S]

Verne,

By early face design I meant the pre-'65 clock design assembly. The '65+ unit has full numerical face I believe.

I've seen factory tach cars but not with a factory ordered clock also. My parts book lists the standard clock (without tach) but doesn't list the clock assembly with a tach(?). -It should atleast for the corvair. I'll look a bit more.

I think these units were probably gray to fit a range of interior colors if unpainted but also provide a good base color to paint. I believe it would be painted the dash color of the car to blend in since these cars had two-tone interiors.

I'll try to find some 'Vair info on these.

Paul

[Verne_Frantz]

Just following up: Someone finally provided this photo of an original one. I'm changing my view a bit now, that perhaps in production Fisher installed the base on the dash before paint, then the clock head was added on the trim line. IF that was a dealer-installed clock, one would expect it to be either all gray or all dash color (unless at some point, just the head was replaced).
Verne

[68l30]

Now that I know what it is.... Mines gray too! I'm missing the bottom.....

Steve

[Verne_Frantz]

Steve, IF your car has a padded dash, the base is two pieces and I believe they should be satin black.
Verne

[68l30]

Sorry, no car just a clock! May have to dig it out and take another look..


Steve