A-body automatic console question

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str12-340

str12-340

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So I'm working on my 1970 Dart GT (bucket seats and console), and today pulled out all my accumulated console pieces to find the best stuff to start with. In doing so I ended up with two consoles next to each other on the floor, and the front end is significantly different between the two. The green one is what I assume is the original console from the car, and the black one next to it came from a swap meet, there is a third console not pictured, a that has the same front end as the black one that also was a swap meet find. All three consoles had tired original top plates with wood grain inserts like a 70 would have. Does anyone understand why they are different? Put in place, since the front is kind of up underneath the dash you would probably never notice the difference

Dart Console b.JPG
Dart Console c.JPG

Dart Console d.JPG
 
Uh huh. I have console from '74 Duster (E58) that has blunt front like your black one. It is white with orangish top and I intend to convert that to 'wood-grain' and use assembly in '70 Swinger (E55) - which now has column-shift. No idea why the difference between your two. Likely simple answer from someone more learned than I.
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IMG_2296.jpg
 
Air conditioning console body. I'm surprised no one answered sooner. The A bodies in the early 70's (maybe all the way to 76?) had the three vent AC discharge grill at the bottom of the dash frame, under it actually. Interfered with the console, so off to the chop saw.

hwd2 - that might be a Dart Hang 10 console. Someone might want it as is.
 
The consoles weren't always different. I dont know what year that flat nose console started. I know it was for more clearance at a/c vent assembly. Toddlers got a shoe heel caught in between there? Who knows?
 
The one is cut off for air conditioning.
 
Well I hate to be the one to break it, but the 70 GT I'm working on, from which the green (full snout) console came is a factory AC car. So at least for 70 the AC wasn't it, and when I took the interior apart it didn't seem that there was any interference. One possibility is mentioned in hwd2's post - that he has one that is cut off in a Duster. Is it possible that the difference is between coupes and hardtops??? I know that there are folks with console A-bodies out there who could add to the discussion by checking their consoles and what they are in... inquiring minds want to know!
 
str12-340 said:
Well I hate to be the one to break it, but the 70 GT I'm working on, from which the green (full snout) console came is a factory AC car. So at least for 70 the AC wasn't it, and when I took the interior apart it didn't seem that there was any interference. One possibility is mentioned in hwd2's post - that he has one that is cut off in a Duster. Is it possible that the difference is between coupes and hardtops??? I know that there are folks with console A-bodies out there who could add to the discussion by checking their consoles and what they are in... inquiring minds want to know!
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I already stated the consoles haven't always been different. I don't know what year they started trimming the front. I would guess 73 when a lot of other things changed.
 
I think 73 is the year the consoles went to a button lock on the lid. Does the flat nose one have a button lock? The ac system also changed very significantly that year, went from push button to the sliding controls.
 
I'm not sure what the AC vents were like in 71, but I had an air conditioned '72 Duster with the vents under the dash and the trimmed center console.
 
Demonic said:
I'm not sure what the AC vents were like in 71, but I had an air conditioned '72 Duster with the vents under the dash and the trimmed center console.
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Did the 72 have the button ac or the slider? Maybe I am off a year?
 
That’s cool your 70 Dart GT came with a console. My buddies 70 gold w/green interior, got buckets and no console.
 
Dartsun said:
That’s cool your 70 Dart GT came with a console. My buddies 70 gold w/green interior, got buckets and no console.
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That would be the first 70-71GT that I've ever heard of without a console ! does it have the A65 call out on the fender tag? You could order any of the other Darts with buckets as an option
 
str12-340 said:
That would be the first 70-71GT that I've ever heard of without a console ! does it have the A65 call out on the fender tag? You could order any of the other Darts with buckets as an option
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I’ll take a look at the fender tag or get a pic when I see it next. It’s a slant car has GT badges on quarter and custom badge on glove box.
 
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