19684424speedconvertible

I am looking for a picture of the panel that opgi or the parts place sells. I know its for a chevelle or el camino but understand that the lower part will work for a cutlass. I want to see what the panel looks like before i buy one. Can anyone help? The pictures on the web sites are not very large or clear. Thanks!

oldsconv

I bought one from Parts Place. I will try to gets pics this weekend. Remind me if I forget.

19684424speedconvertible

Thank you! Just want to see exactly what I would have to work with,the pictures on the sites are all so small and show so little detail.

68Tom

I just had one that I was thinking about using on my '68 442. I honestly couldn't figure out how it was going to work without some serious tweaking. Not that you can't do it, but it's not going to just set in there.

19684424speedconvertible

I understand its made for a 70-72 el camino,figured I would just use the v channel itself and cut and weld in pieces to the bottom of the dash,but wanted to see an actual picture of it before I ordered so I would know what I would have to work with

oldsconv

Attached are some pics. In addition to my 70 SX Conv (under restoration), I have a 70 Chevelle SS396 and this panel is meant for that car and El Camino as you said. My chevelle dash pad is also the upper dash so when the dash pad is off, you only have this narrow sheetmetal piece and then it is open until you get to the vertical dash piece (plastic on chevelle) that houses gauges, radio, glovebox, etc. . On either side of this panel are the spots (2 screw holes each side) for stereo speakers for a Chevelle. Conversely, the Cutlass dash is all metal and the dash pad fits over top with a full metal under support. As you said, I guess only the fron part is usable for a Cutlass - that is what I will need to do. I was disappointed as when I ordered it the Parts Place guy said it is for a Cutlass and when I called back to say they sent me a Chevelle piece, a different guy said they sell the Chevelle piece for Cutlass and it "needs a little work" to fit. I have no other choice but to use it. On the bright side, it seems to be the right length left to right side and the front contour where the windshield sits looks OK. I would say the forward 2 inches is the only thing that will work on the Cutlass, but that is where mine is rusted, so I am basically going to use it for patching.

joe_padavano

That's correct. The windshield is the same on all the A-body coupes, so everything from the base of the windshield forward will be the same.

oldsconv

Thanks for the response Joe P. Actually, now I wonder, isn't the convertible windshield (glass) different than hardtop windshield? Although, I think the base is the same and it is only the top width that is different (narrower) on conv? maybe someone can confirm this.

joe_padavano

I believe you are correct. The cowl panels should be the same in any case.

19684424speedconvertible

Thank you for the pictures,and I always did wonder what was different about the windshield glass,never considered the width at the top of the windshield. You would think someone would make a repair panel for 68-69 cutlass`s since rust is so common there even on rust free cars.

joe_padavano

Rust may be common, but the potential market doesn't support the costs to tool up such a piece. The better choice would have been to manufacture a generic A-body channel that doesn't include the model-unique dash top. This is what was done for the 64-67 cars.

Willidog

Where are you at? I am in San Diego and I have taken almost everything off of my donor car that I need. The cowl, floor pans, trunk pan, drivers side rocker panel are all good. If you are close I could save you alot of money.

19684424speedconvertible

Thanks willidog!! Beautiful piece,and the packaging was perfect,they had it in 3 boxes and all bubble wrapped. Glad I could make it worth your while,and thanks again for supplying some parts so my 442 can live again.

outlawspeeder

Thanks for posting the pics, that helped a lot.. I'm still looking for the whole upper cowl panel. I have a 4 door to pull it out of but it looks like a lot of work. Too many have been left sitting for too long.