[2blue71TAs]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone here has any knowledge of
Randy Combs in Indiana who restores the turn aluminum bezels.

I've got two I'd like to try as the reproductions
availability date keeps getting delayed.

Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.
RC

[superdutybob]

A friend had his done by Randy. He does good work but you can tell it is redone.

The diameter of the tool he uses to recut the face is larger than the original and therefore makes for a larger, more spread out engine turned pattern.

If Randy could downsize the tool I would say they would be much better. Given that this is the only option out there right now, it's pretty good. His turn around time was very good and the workmanship was excellent.

[2blue71TAs]

Thanks Bob,

That sounds like a very fair critique.

I think I'll give Randy a try.

[njsteve]

Have you thought of doing it yourself? I did mine and it came out pretty nice. If the aluminum isn't damaged the problem is usually the clear coat yellowing with age. Go halfway down this link and you'll the before and after shots of my 72:

http://216.178.81.108/forums/showthr...433662&page=10

[pmdclassics]

Randy has mine right now and I should have it back in a month or so. Mine was in pretty rough shape and from what I have seen in pics of completed resto's all should be good.

[indyta1989]

Randy did my dash bezel on my 1971 Trans Am. I am very happy with the results. My bezel was in sad condition prior to his work. I have attached a few recent photos.

[mr71transam]

Randy also did my 1971 Trans Am dash bezel. I 'm always getting compliments on how GREAT to looks. Also a good guy to work with.

[BobC]

I shipped mine to Randy this week.

[eaglesan13]

Here is another guy I found on the internet but I have not sent anything to him and have never seen his work so I cannot offer an opinion.

http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~eamonn/et/et.htm

[T/A Fanatic]

Randy did mine also ('71 T/A). The previous owner had tried to "polish" out the aluminum, and ruined the bezel. Randy restored the bezel and the two smaller pieces (the piece that covers the heater controls and the small piece that covers the accessory swith location). I was very pleased with his work. Like the others said, the circles are a little larger, and the result is not "best of show" quality, but I fell Randy offers a quality service at a reasonable cost. I'd ship him another one in a heartbeat!

Alan

[kai]

Could somebody please provide a phone number for him?

Thanks

[2blue71TAs]

Sounds like the way to go for sure.

Thanks for all the input.

For anyone who needs it,

His work and contact info is on www.transamcountry.com

[joeljet]

how about the formula (wood) ones

[racerboy]

Originally Posted by indyta1989

Randy did my dash bezel on my 1971 Trans Am. I am very happy with the results. My bezel was in sad condition prior to his work. I have attached a few recent photos.

Indy,
Did Randy re-finish your bezel rings as well? They look great! I thought only the 70's had chrome rings. I may be shiping him my bezel (and rings) from my '70. What was his fee?

Frank

[indyta1989]

Frank.

When Randy restored my dash bezel that included the black trim across the top of the bezel plus the plastic trim rings. What you see on my car in the photo is a machined set of trim rings which looks close to the chrome rings. I swap between the black plastic rings and the machined rings. My 1971 came with the black plastic rings but from what I understand the 1970 TA's and early 1971 TA's did have the chrome rings.

[GRNMTGOAT]

My bezel rings came back today from Bob at Chrome Tec USA 608-274-9811
They look real nice and he also repainted the black inside. Just need the aluminium dash back from Randy and that part of the project can be stored away ! Bruce.

[22687]

Did the early 70s Trans AM dash bezels have the stamped raised lip around the tach, speedo and oil/temp holes like the early Formula & Esprit woodgrain panel or are they flat like the later "RTS" panels? If they are flat, do they use a thicker ring like the later panel too or did they use the earlier thin style ring?

[thefirebirdm@n]

Interesting post. I had no idea Randy was doing the regular bezels. I thought he was only re-tinting the gold bezels. May have to send him the one out of my '73. indyta1989, no offense but the swirl pattern on yours just looked odd. Did the picture catch it right or is just the angle?

[rcombs]

Just found about this particular forum from a fellow TA owner whom I had been working with on his bezel. I have been reading the assessments, etc. regarding my dash bezel restorations. I just wanted to update you on some adjustments that have been recently made in my services based on the feedback I have received from fellow TA owners. When I originally started offering the complete bezel restoration (reswirl) I worked with an expert in the field of engine turning who did great work but unfortunately as you have referred to in this forum, the pattern just wasn't original. It was uniform, professionally done and looked nice especially when compared to the condition that some of our bezels get into but just not original in terms of appearance. I have since after months and months of working on the details starting doing the machining myself and because I just focus on one at a time, I have been able to basically duplicate the original swirl pattern on these important interior pieces. It does need to be noted though that when these bezels were originally fabricated at the factory, they were machined as flat aluminum sheets (swirled) and then these sheets were formed into the proper shape for the dash. Hence the challenge in the swirl process when redoing one that is curved. My remachined bezels now match the original pattern in terms of size and arrangement. You just get a very slight variation at the top and bottom curved areas due to the shape, which is tough to notice unless you are really looking for it. Thanks everyone for your support of my services, it is only your feedback that has allowed me to continue to meet your needs. If you are interested in some sample photos of what my "new" remachines look like, let me know!

[455hota]

Randy, I am interested in seeing pics of your latest work. Send me a contact number or email or PM and I will get in contact.

Thanks....steve