Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

I'm getting ready to buy some plastics to convert my '83 Camaro from Sand Gray to Black.

If I get black interior plastics from say, a 91 Camaro...will they be the same assuming they are both from a T-top car? If there are differences...are they minor, or will I need to find different pieces?

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

Wow...68 views so far and no replies. Well...I've found that they are indeed different. The rear seats in my car (83) do not have shoulder belts in the rear seat..not sure what year they began putting those belts in, but there's one major difference.

I've found a few more too....pretty important when you're changing interior colors/styles like I am.

rs89todd

not sure what year they did the seatbelts, mines and 86 and only has lap for the back, the sills for the 82 are different for the seatbelt. i know there is a sail pannel change at some point, for the lower seatbelts but not sure

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

There are indeed some minor differences in some panels, and you are right about the rear panels with the shoulder straps. Another difference worth noting is the rear most trim that you would need to remove to take out the tail lights. Later model cars might have had the power hatch so the trim is bigger to accommodate the motor.
Another difference would be the hatch trim. On early cars with a wiper motor the trim is larger. On later cars, GM also did away with the guide pin, so you would either have to make the hole to accommodate the pin, or remove the pin if your car has it.

Lastly - if your car has decent plastics, you could try dyeing them. I dyed my interior pieces and they came out great. Proper prep is the key. If you check out Motobooks thread, Luis dyed his interior from blue to black and had excellent results.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...rans-am-4.html
My favorite interior restoration thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...ic-carpet.html
As long as your panels are not powdery and dry rotted you can dye them with good results.

Flip 2

iTrader: (1)

I changed my '83 Firebird interior from Brown to Black. Did the carpet, too.
Looks MUCH better...
Do not really know what year my new plastics are, but they are newer.
Overall, they work... much better than any results I might have had changing what I had.
Some folks are good at things like dyeing plastic, some aren't.

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

Neat car! You don't see many 83 'Birds around anymore. I think I could probably dye the pieces I have from almost white to black, but trying to get good coverage would be tough...and I'm afraid I would need to apply multiple coats that might later start flaking off.

It might be a different story if I were going from a dark color to black. Since my car sat broken down outside in a driveway for 7-8 years, I don't have a lot of faith in the current plastics it has although they don't look to bad really. Sandstone gray is just one of. Those colors that looks great when new, but doesn't age well and is tough to keep looking nice.

I used to think Camaro interior plastics were all the same...but I've been finding out the 82-84 models have their own unique pieces, then you have 85-89, then 90-92. Small differences I'll admit...

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

If they look like they might be even slightly faded or dry just find another set. I tried reviving slightly faded panels with no success. The top layer become chalky and when you scrub them to prep them it starts to flake off.

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

As it turns out, I think I just struck a deal on a complete set of black plastics from another person on this board. I'm getting all carpeted plastics etc. (I like the carpeted stuff -hides scratches)...

Not cheap, but I've dropped so much $$ on the car already....way more than it's ever going to be worth...why stop now?? lol

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

Ya I am going from charcoal to the later year light grey. My mini tub will have me cutting out a the shoulder seat belt area at least. The rear hatch piece is also much larger than needed for the power hatch motor that we don't have. Now to just find light grey carpet for up front

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

Does your hatch unlock button actually work? Mine never has. No interest in making it work either..

If it turns out I don't like the look of my "light grey" carpet after I convert everything else to black, I'll remove it and take it next time I see you...it's yours. It's only a few years old...you might need to vacuum it though...lol

Not sure why you're going to light grey interior anyway? It looked just fine last I seen it. Seems like it would be harder to take care of...are you bored?

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

No hatch unlock here. My old turd is manual everything. Also the kirkey seats are both light grey and my carpet is fading almost purple instead of charcoal.

rs89todd

i went to hawks third gens site and they have used pannels, but the only thing that seemed to matter was t top, hatch shade?, carpet