73 Formula Dash Bezel Restoration
 

The dash bezel on my 73 Formula is looking pretty sad. I had to pull it for a different reason, so I'm contemplating trying to make it look better. I'm thinking I could carefully remove as much of the peeling stuff as possible, maybe sand it lightly, and clear coat it.

Has anyone done something similar? Any better suggestions?

Anyone have a nice Formula dash bezel for a car with gauges and no A/C?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Importsmasher

I would find a nice correct bezel. There are several on ebay. The woodgrain bezels are a lot cheaper than the T/A ones.

It appears what you have - going by the divided headlight / wiper callouts - is a 70 71 72 model bezel.
I think some of those had differing colors.

It looks really fried where the coating is gone.

73 74 had the headlight / wiper callouts in the same block.
75 and newer will have the RTS emblem in center over steering column.

Any will work just depends how correct you want it.
Any bird espirit up through 81 ,,,, and most formulas up through 78 - use the woodgrain.

Here is an idea of what a '73-4 bezel looks like and going price for condition.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/355878581041

Thanks! I actually just discovered that Phoenix Graphics makes a decal for it, so I ordered that. I'm told the woodgrain may not be correct, but I'm ok with that.

I appreciate all the replies! One day I might seek out a correct piece, but for now this will suffice.

Importsmasher

If compressed air or small pressure washer won't get the rest of the peeling off - could try a dishwasher. The hot water might get to it.

You'd want to remove the HL/wiper callouts and the bird emblem.

Oven Cleaner might do it as well.
That's supposedly the go to for removing the yellowed degraded coating from TA bezels.
Same again about removing the plastics first.
They need to come off anyway.

Your current bezel might have a lot of value to the right person. Sell that.. buy the correct one and still have a couple $$ in your pocket.

FWIW, Many special edition Esprit used the T/A bezel .
How many fell off their chair on that one?? hehe..

SE Espirit , would that be the Red Yellow Blue Birds ?

Yes Sir!

I've noticed that every bezel I've seen online has the cutout in the lower right corner for power windows or door locks or rear defrost or something. Mine does not. It has an indentation there, but no opening. Did later cars all have the opening, and maybe used a block off plate? Or did only cars with relevant options have the cutout?

I don’t know the answer to that but wondered something similar. I have a bezel presumably from an 80 or 81 based on the round turn signal indicators. It lacks even the indentation in that area and is blocked off solid. Except for a hole someone drilled in it. I had a small lamp housing I put in the hole to fill it.

Too bad this isn’t what you needed, it is for sale.

The opening was for accessories, door lock and/or defog. No filler like Trans Am's had.
I have an extra of that style, I just don't know what I would charge for it. Better of the two, I'm keeping.

Some appear to have the opening

Thanks for all the information! As stated above, I have a new decal on its way from Phoenix Graphics, but thanks to this thread I now know what I would need for my car should I decide to make it more correct.

On the woodies , maybe just the ones that actually were going in cars that were getting dash switch options got the separate accessory plate.

I never paid attention to this at all before. just guessing

Keep us posted on results for removing the peeling remnants.
And finished product results.

If you did not get power door locks or rear defrost no cut out just indent.

Pictured in this thread are most of the different styles depending on options ordered.
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=773022

honestly, by the time you buy and ship the overlay, you will probably be better off replacing the dash insert.

the 1973-1975 pattern is the middle one:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1651683336