[Mr. G]

Is there a good reproduction inside quarter panel for 1970 firebirds available? I see our host only shows a 1971 and later version of this part.

[unruhjonny]

Do you mean the sheetmetal part also called an "inner wheel well", or the interior part sometimes called "rear arm rest">

[Mr. G]

it would be the rear armrest but in the Ames catalog they call them inside quarter panels which is why I referred to them as such.

[Formulabruce]

Difference is opening g for a retractor and or cigar ash tray. The 71 will work though

[unruhjonny]

as mentioned the 1971+ interior panel works fine;
IIRC the 1971 "specific" one has a faux stitched insert in the middle, and 1971+ have ashtrays for deluxe interior cars.
I had originally thought this was a "Camaro" part, but have since been informed that it's a 1971 Firebird thing...

The original 1970-1972.5 rear armrests have a smaller cutout for the seat belts;
The 1973+ panels had a larger opening for the seatbelts - because they now had a retractor.

Once installed a 1973+ rear armrest will likely not be discerned.

I have my car's original rear armrests, and several years ago I bought backup rear armrests which are 1973+ parts;
Because they have no ashtray openings they are near dead ringers for the original ones from my car.

[Mr. G]

Thanks fellows. Will try to save my originals first but good to know options exist.

[keith k]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

as mentioned the 1971+ interior panel works fine;
IIRC the 1971 "specific" one has a faux stitched insert in the middle, and 1971+ have ashtrays for deluxe interior cars.
I had originally thought this was a "Camaro" part, but have since been informed that it's a 1971 Firebird thing...

The original 1970-1972.5 rear armrests have a smaller cutout for the seat belts;
The 1973+ panels had a larger opening for the seatbelts - because they now had a retractor.

Once installed a 1973+ rear armrest will likely not be discerned.

I have my car's original rear armrests, and several years ago I bought backup rear armrests which are 1973+ parts;
Because they have no ashtray openings they are near dead ringers for the original ones from my car.

Discernability of the 73+ quarter trim panels depends on who is looking. A non-expert would certainly never know. But the later ones have a pretty significant undercut surface beneath the armrest, so if you know what you're looking for they can easily be spotted at a glance.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by keith k

Discernability of the 73+ quarter trim panels depends on who is looking. A non-expert would certainly never know. But the later ones have a pretty significant undercut surface beneath the armrest, so if you know what you're looking for they can easily be spotted at a glance.

I thought I covered this;
Once installed, the only thing to see is the opening for the seatbelt - but even then you need to look for it and/or press on the side of the seat to expose the opening.

But maybe you're sayin something that I am missing?
(I have both styles quite plainly hanging overhead from where I st to work every day.)

[Norwood]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I thought I covered this;
Once installed, the only thing to see is the opening for the seatbelt - but even then you need to look for it and/or press on the side of the seat to expose the opening.

But maybe you're sayin something that I am missing?
(I have both styles quite plainly hanging overhead from where I st to work every day.)

The shape below the armrest on the 70 panel is square to the arm rest. And certainly is very visible when looking into an open door. The black is the early sq panel and the blue is the later version. I believe this very noticeable difference is what Kieth is referring to.

[Norwood]

Better picture

[keith k]

Originally Posted by Norwood

The shape below the armrest on the 70 panel is square to the arm rest. And certainly is very visible when looking into an open door. The black is the early sq panel and the blue is the later version. I believe this very noticeable difference is what Kieth is referring to.

Yep, it is.