petelempert Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I'm reinstalling the interior in my 63. I put the console and rear carpet in last weekend, now putting in the front carpet. On the front of the console, tucked way under the dash are two small panels that attach to the very front on each side. On drivers side, it's chrome and sort of good looking. On the passenger side, it's plastic and yellowed over the years. They seem to be designed to cover any wires coming out of the console from view or maybe to protect from feet striking the console?. Originally, I thought maybe the yellowed plastic one on the passenger side was back lit and was some type of courtesy light, but I no longer think so. The Clarks carpet I am installing tucks way up into the space where the two panels are supposed to fit. I think the carpet looks better than the yellowed plastic piece on the passenger side. What the heck is the purpose of these two parts? Why is one chrome and the other plastic? Am I the only one who has thought about actually leaving off the skanky yellowed plastic piece and leaving the passenger side simply carpeted? PRL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64Rivvy Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 On my 64 there is only a chrome one on the drivers side and carpeting on the pass side. The pass side may be missing but you would never really notice. I have also seen chrome replacements on ebay for both the drivers and pass side. Unless you really want the panel there, there's nothing stopping you from eliminating as far as I know unless something is different there in a 63 versus a 64. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 The chrome piece is a scuff plate to protect the carpet from your shoe when your foot is constantly moving the accelerator pedal. Not needed on the passenger's side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelempert Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 That's all I needed to hear. Keeping the chrome, ditching the yellowed plastic. It will find a home in the parts bin in the attic. Any passengers who dare scuff up my passenger side carpet will be ejected at high speed. PRL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrP Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I had the same question re the right side plastic piece when I removed my carpet. I think it is located under the carpet. I'll have to dig through my photos of that side before I removed the plastic piece.You'll notice that piece has three screw holes for attaching and it fits in a certain way. I'll get back to you with photos when I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) If we are talking about the same plastic piece, the piece on the passenger side was also designed to help aid the carpet hold its shape and should be behind the carpet. Without this piece, there would be a void behind the carpet and it would be floppy. Edited February 2, 2016 by Pat Curran (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelempert Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 DP-For sure it attaches to the three vertical screw holes at the leading edge of the console. Also, there is a fourth hole that I presume attaches to the floor. Ed thinks its a form of scuff plate. If that's right, it's just too damn ugly to put on the outside. Your theory makes it sound more like support for the carpet that mounts underneath the carpet. The mounting screws are not chrome, which to me indicates it was not meant to be seen. Based upon that and its too ugly to be on the outside, I think I'll simply attach it and lay the carpet on top. I love automotive archeology. Thanks all. PRL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelempert Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 Yep. What Pat said. PRL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) It does go on the outside, I think that three screws attach it to the console and one to the floor board. If your screws aren't chrome, go get some that are. The piece is actually stainless so get some stainless screws, they won't tarnish. Ed Edited February 2, 2016 by RivNut (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 There are 4 mounting points for this plastic piece, three of which mount to the console and one to the floor. It is an odd looking piece but it was meant to support the carpet from the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Something your all missing also is the piece of cardboard that goes ABOVE the plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I saw that when I took my carpets out and thought that someone was just being cheap and put a piece of cardboard in there instead of the plastic piece. I threw it away, now what am I to do? Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alini Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 I left my plastic piece attaced to the console and let the carpet rest over it. When I removed my original carpet it was glued to the plastic piece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petelempert Posted February 3, 2016 Author Share Posted February 3, 2016 Who knew? Here's what I'm thinking: I understand the chrome one on the drivers side-it serves a purpose (scuff panel for gas pedal), is visible, good looking and looks like something Buick would openly employ in their stylish Riviera. The plastic piece on the passenger side-it also serves a purpose (provide support for carpet) but looks cheap, is fastened with galvanized screws and looks like something Buick might reluctantly use but certainly wouldn't want anyone to see. So tonight, that yellowed old piece of plastic will be fastened to the console/floor then unceremoniously covered with carpet. It will serve it's purpose without ever showing its yellowed self. As far as additional cardboard, not even going there. Onward. PRL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kaber Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Yep, the plastic [part goes under the carpet. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Ed, if you could find the piece of cardboard for a pattern, you can use a piece of Masonite or similar product with the same thickness and it will last forever. I did that in my 64 as the cardboard was shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 The one I threw away must have been someone's idea of what was supposed to be correct. It was paper thin and already curled. I'll figure something out. I've still get the plastic piece to use as a template. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrP Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 (edited) I had the same question re the right side plastic piece when I removed my carpet. I think it is located under the carpet. I'll have to dig through my photos of that side before I removed the plastic piece.You'll notice that piece has three screw holes for attaching and it fits in a certain way. I'll get back to you with photos when I can.Here are the pics: Note the cardboard has water stains. That is likely from leaking heater core. (Maybe GM put the cardboard there to let techs know when the heater core was leaking??) Think the cardboard may act as a filler to allow the carpet to have a nice curve in that area. Edited February 3, 2016 by DrP (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musmat Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 My pic from when I pulled back my carpet. Not sure yet if I'm going to put the card board back because it doesn't seem to do much even in terms of shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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