HO Formula
 

Hi, I’ve been away from the site for a few years and I just drug home a 1972 HO455 Formula and I am starting the parts hunt. I would like to find a wood grain dash bezel for an A/C car, unitized distributor and the choke thermostat coil for it to begin with. I need to repair the plastic front valance also.I know there was a good thread here about doing it but I can’t seen to find it. I think it may have been written by NJ Steve but I’m not sure. Thank you.

Start with this thread, then follow his other thread...
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...d.php?t=498815

Not mine. It looks like a 73 date code, but it's inexpensive. Congrats on the new car.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/...831161900.html

Yes cheap , but that’s a 73 a different Distributor , 72 would be 1112133

I stand corrected.

On the '72 unitized "2133" distributors, keep in mind there are 5 different production dates they were made, so if very concerned about numbers correct to the date of the car build... Some of us have done trades so both parties could get the correct date unit. Not revealing anything new, they are also expensive to go through.

I think I mentioned in another thread, but I still have a box of used and NOS unitized ignition parts and a 1973 distributor 1112203 if you need them for your project. Happy to help. They are just gathering dust in my office. (Jack Russell not included)

Not mine. It may help you or someone else.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/...831161900.html

The dash bezel shouldn't be so hard to find - as long as you're willing to modify one;
The easiest ones to find are the standard gauge bezels - with or without AC.

While creating my collection of dash bezels, I intentionally avoided a/c bezels.

I can't believe the current eBay auction prices on wood grain dash bezels.

listing prices are different from selling prices;
what are they selling for?

One 70-2, non-gauges, non-A/C, cut open accessories hole sold for $125 ($20 shipping).

I used to hoard the wood grain ones anytime I came across them, not sure if I have any left or not, would have to dig.

Oddly, in collecting them, I noticed different shades of woodgrain, and it wasn't due to sun exposure etc.


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not odd.

Wood grains are:

• 1970
• 1971
• 1972
• 1973-1975
• 1976-1978
• 1979-1981

EDIT:

Previously posted image:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1641882193

I found that the early ones (maybe mostly 1970) delaminate, while the 1976-1978 ones did darken - instead of fade.

I have a spare 1972 dash insert;
it's for standard gauges;
it was marked as a 1971 part;
the downside of it is that the spot where some are stamped open for pdl or rear defog switches has had a small hole cut - presumably FOR a defog switch.

So the shade is specific to the year of production? THAT I didn't know.


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colour and grain type differed;
they mimicked different wood types.

I tried finding any documentation of the intended simulated grain type year over year, but couldn't find a whole lot.

That's actually a pretty cool concept! Yeah, didn't know that, would be great to figure that out, love to hear the story behind it!

Would be even cooler if they brought some car brands back with the latest effort to expand US auto manufacturing, but guess I'm dreaming with that one!


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@ A_Schab;
Please also note that (I believe it was) during the 1977 model year the cover for the heater controls was eliminated;
Prior to that point, the heater controls also had (from the factory) a cover that carried the wood grain (or turned aluminum for TA's) on to the heater controls.

Here is an updated picture showing all except for the 1979-1981 dash inserts with the corresponding heater control covers.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1744225425

edit:

It is probably worth mentioning I have bought heater controls JUST for the covers.

Yes, I had a stack of the covers too.

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