Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

1960 Center Console: Missing Pieces

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • kuhio61
    Newbie
    • Nov 21 2012
    • 6

    1960 Center Console: Missing Pieces

    Hello,

    I have recently purchased a 1960 Thunderbird. You'll see below an image of the center console with missing items. At some point, someone removed the shifter from the column into the console. I am not sure why. (Maybe OverDrive Trans) However, it appears that this center console was designed for the shifter.

    Any idea where I can get an ashtray, some sort of housing for the shifter, an alternate shifter (it's flush with the dashboard when in park) and something to house the aftermarket AC unit?

    Thank you for all your help.

  • jopizz
    Super-Experienced


    • Nov 23 2009
    • 8308

    #2
    Squarebirds never came with a console shifter so your setup is definitely home made. And not a very good job either. If you want to keep your floor shifter you'll have to fabricate something or find something that looks half decent. Maybe a shorter pistol grip shifter will work better. The heater/AC control opening was also butchered. If you want to start from scratch with another console contact Carl Heller (partsetal). He has lots of used parts. I'm sure you can do a better job than the person who carved up yours.

    John
    John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

    Thunderbird Registry #36223
    jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

    https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

    Comment

    • YellowRose
      Super-Experienced


      • Jan 21 2008
      • 17188

      #3
      1960 Center Console: Missing Pieces

      Hello, Jason, perhaps Carl Heller ~ partsetal on here, will be able to help you. Carl has parts cars and might have the parts you are looking for. You can send him a Private Message (PM) and ask him also.

      Ray Clark - Squarebirds Administrator
      The Terminator..... VTCI #11178 ITC #6000 Yellow Mustang Registry (YMR) #12188
      Contact me via Private Message for my email address, or Call (Cell) 210-875-1411

      https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm
      Faye's Ovarian Cancer Memorial Website.
      https://faye.rayclark.info/index.html

      Comment

      • Dakota Boy
        Super-Experienced
        • Jun 30 2009
        • 1561

        #4
        You're going to have to fabricate something for that hole around the base of that shifter. No squarebirds ever left the factory with a shifter on the center console.

        But do not despair.... I also have a shifter at the console. I covered up the ugly hole with a sheet of brushed 316 stainless steel (from the scrap bin at work). See the link below.

        Show off your Ride Here! In the Subject line, include Year, Make (Ford, Lincoln, etc.) Model (T-Bird, Falcon, etc.), Body Style (Hard Top, Landau, Golde, Convertible, etc.).


        "partsetal" (a member on this site) probably can get you an ashtray from one of his parts cars. They are not available as reproduction parts.
        http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...ryNumber=33517

        Comment

        • kuhio61
          Newbie
          • Nov 21 2012
          • 6

          #5
          I'll try sending Carl a message, thank you for that contact. Obviously, it isn't all that pretty. Is the process for returning the shifter to the column pretty extensive?

          Would it be best to buy a new(used) center console then?

          Thank you.

          Comment

          • YellowRose
            Super-Experienced


            • Jan 21 2008
            • 17188

            #6
            1960 Center Console: Missing Pieces

            Carl ~ partsetal, was on here just a few minutes ago, but I do not know if he saw your post. He is on often, though, and might be able to help you. Send him a PM and ask him what he might have in the way of ashtrays, and a replacement center console if you want to go that route and make it look original again. I gather your tranny is a manual one and not an automatic. He might be able to tell you how to put the shifter back on the column, or some of the other guys can.

            Ray Clark - Squarebirds Administrator
            The Terminator..... VTCI #11178 ITC #6000 Yellow Mustang Registry (YMR) #12188
            Contact me via Private Message for my email address, or Call (Cell) 210-875-1411

            https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm
            Faye's Ovarian Cancer Memorial Website.
            https://faye.rayclark.info/index.html

            Comment

            • Dakota Boy
              Super-Experienced
              • Jun 30 2009
              • 1561

              #7
              What transmission do you have?

              I have a C6 trans. with a Hurst V-Matic II shifter on the console.
              http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...ryNumber=33517

              Comment

              • kuhio61
                Newbie
                • Nov 21 2012
                • 6

                #8
                Ray, my transmission is automatic but I am not familiar with the specific type of transmission it is. I sent Carl a PM, waiting to hear back. I'm sure he'll have some ideas.

                Are you guys familiar with how difficult it is to move the shifter back onto the column to restore it to it's original form?

                Comment

                • Dakota Boy
                  Super-Experienced
                  • Jun 30 2009
                  • 1561

                  #9
                  unless you have the same transmission the car left the factory with, I have to think it will be pretty darn tricky to go back to column-shift.
                  http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...ryNumber=33517

                  Comment

                  Working...
                  😀
                  🥰
                  🤢
                  😎
                  😡
                  👍
                  👎