In a 70-72 Cutlass with an auto console, the shift indicator had a light, there was a courtesy light at the back that came on with the rest of the interior lights, and there was a light in the "storage compartment" that came on when the console lid was opened. Obviously the 4 speed console did not have a shift indicator light, and from what I have seen it looks like 4 speed consoles got a "blacked out" rear courtesy light lens that did not light up. My question is: Did 4 speed consoles still get the "storage compartment" light operated by the small switch under the console lid?

 

While not a 70-72, my '68 4-4-2 4-speed console does not have a light nor switch in the storage compartment. And like you mention, the rear light lens is blacked out, and none of the light fixture parts nor wiring are present.

 

My 67 has a rear light. I put a jewel lens on the inside of the storage box to utilize the same bulb.

 

No lamp on the 4 speed consoles

 

Yes, the lenses are gray / blacked out on the 4 speed consoles.

Terry

 

The lenses would be painted the same colour as the console.

 

Not the lens inside which is the one I was primarily concerned with.
Thanks for the replies. I found small plugs for the switch and lens opening on the liners.

 

An interesting tidbit: According the 1971 Oldsmobile Dealer SPEC booklet, the D55 manual transmission console option included instrument panel courtesy and map lights.*

According to the 1970 Dealer SPEC booklet, the instrument panel courtesy and map lights were NOT included with the D55 manual transmission console option.

*The Y60 Convenience Group option, as noted in the 1971 SPEC booklet, notes that the instrument panel courtesy and map lights are included in the D55 option (Console), when a manual transmission is ordered.

 

That is interesting, but oh well the l console is in now. I did run the intermediate harness (connects dash harness to console harness) so I could add them in the future.

 

Guessing the ‘Instrument Panel/Dash‘ Courtesy Lamps & Map Light were possibly added in 1971 to the manual transmission console option to offset the lack of lights in the console based on the additional dash courtesy lamps & map light not being included when an automatic console is installed - unless of course, the Courtesy Light Group option is ordered.

Does anyone have a factory stock 1971 Cutlass or 442 with a manual transmission console and no Courtesy Light Group, who can confirm the information in the SPEC booklet is correct?

Surprised the Courtesy Light Group option was not slightly less expensive if ordered with a manual transmission console, as was the case with other overlapping options.