[poncho-mike]

I was going through some dash bezels to see what I have, and I came up with an oddball. It apparently came off an 1970 - 1972 Firebird based on the headlight marking. It was also an a/c car with guages.

The odd part about this bezel is the speedometer, tachometer, and the small guage in the middle have a raised form that I don't remember ever seeing. In addition, the area where the a/c vents and gas gauge/voltmenter are located is recessed. I also don't think the bezel woodgrain looks correct for 1970.

If I look closer, the plastic ring around the small guage is very narrow, in fact all of the remaining rings are smaller than what is on a standard car.

I've got pictures comparing it with a 1970 dash bezel to show the differences.

Can anyone identify this? Many years ago I parted a very early 1970 Formula 400 with a/c. It had the cast panel between the tail lights and the extra drain holes in the trunk. I also parted a 1971 & a 1972 Formula 400 with a/c. I have about 20 - 30 second gen bezels, and this is the only one with the formed openings and recesses stamped in.

Any thoughts?

[poncho-mike]

Here are some more photos.

[eaglesan13]

The early wood grain bezels (1970-1972) had the raised openings for the two large pods and the small pod between them, and they used the thinner rings in those pods. 1973 was the first year the bezels were flat. I've always thought that the 70 and 71 bezels were a lighter wood grain than the 72, was a little darker, but others have argued that I have that backwards. Anyway, I would opine that this one is off a 72.

[johnta1]

70 was lighter. That looks like a 72 dash.

[poncho-mike]

I went back into my old photos and found a 1970 Formula dash bezel, and it is a brighter color and has the emobssed areas around the tach and speedo. I could have sworn that area was flat.

Mike

[Formulabruce]

ALL T/A bezel were flat...
I concur with Chris and John, Its a 1972 version also IMHO.

[poncho-mike]

I think the 1973 and later woodgrain dashes were flat as well. I was confused because this is the only bezel that have the raised rings.

[Ramairnacho]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

ALL T/A bezel were flat...
I concur with Chris and John, Its a 1972 version also IMHO.

Hear are some photos of what I got if this will help out. These are mine plus 2 more that I put on guage cluster thread

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I think the 1973 and later woodgrain dashes were flat as well. I was confused because this is the only bezel that have the raised rings.

I have a perfect 73 here, your right , they are flat straight through 81.

[Ramairnacho]

Yep i.agree. I wish to find a 70 if it has rear defogg someday.

[Trevor78]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16432085409...MAAOSwRd5fKI3F

[Ramairnacho]

Thanks but not rally no rear defogg and 72

[Trevor78]

Sorry, that was just to show some more clear photos of the raised gauge edges.

[Ramairnacho]

My bad

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Ramairnacho

Thanks but not rally no rear defogg and 72

Do you have All the rear blower set up for your 1970?
This means a special rear seat area to trunk seal, as well as the trunk unit, blower, ducting, and top grill? These parts are not that common, and 1970 ONLY parts.. ?