Silver or Gold bezel on console Question

[d_hache]

Hey guys, i always wondered about this one.
I was curious about the gold and silver bezels we see on the console's around the stick shift.
Did all SE have gold bezels on the console or was it a special order?
i also see allot of Trans Am's with the silver bezel around the stick shift and some have none.
Was the silver one also an option or only came on special cars?
Thanks

[Wallington]

I'm not a TA guy but....I think the 79 TATA was the first with the inlay and was silver. Then the 80 SE had it in Gold. Did the silver bezel then find its way onto 80-81 TA and Formula when woodgrain replaced with machined bezel, not sure.

[Warren Seale]

All the shift bezels were black unless it was the TATA or SE cars.  The inlay simply attaches to the standard bezel with double sided tape.  That was the way they came from the factory.  These inlays are available today aftermarket.  I've had it on my bezel for decades.  IMO I think all the cars with the machine turned dash should have had it included.   

[Maxthe222]

1979 Y89's and Pace Cars had the sliver shifter bezel.

The gold bezel was implemented on late 1980 Y84 Special Editions to compensate for the supply of gold-spoke steering wheels through to the end of the model.

[firebirdparts]

1979 Y89's and Pace Cars had the sliver shifter bezel.

The gold bezel was implemented on late 1980 Y84 Special Editions to compensate for the supply of gold-spoke steering wheels through to the end of the model.

I agree with this. ("late" meaning December 1979, which is really not very late)  If I had a 1980 I would feel okay with that on there.  I don't presume they were all exactly right from the factory either.  I just have to give grace there.

None of them were ever optional on anything ever.

[firebirdparts]

I had forgotten this, but the parts book points out they were used on yellowbirds too.  I don't have a car distribution bulletin for the 1980 Y84 (or yellowbird) but I do have a "sales information" announcement that went out to dealers about the yellowbird.  That does not mention the gold shifter plate.  And here it is.  Posted it on our website 20 years ago (ugh).  that doesn't exactly prove it wasn't originally planned for the yellowbird, but maybe so.

[Maxthe222]

I had forgotten this, but the parts book points out they were used on yellowbirds too.  I don't have a car distribution bulletin for the 1980 Y84 (or yellowbird) but I do have a "sales information" announcement that went out to dealers about the yellowbird.  That does not mention the gold shifter plate.  And here it is.  Posted it on our website 20 years ago (ugh).  that doesn't exactly prove it wasn't originally planned for the yellowbird, but maybe so.

Awesome documentation, i've saved a copy of that to share with some yellowbird owners. I wish more people used your website! Cleaned up, it would be one of the best Firebird resource sites!

[Wallington]

I thought the 'Trans Am University' or whatever it was, that appeared for about 6 months only was handy. Although very basic, it showed shaker, air cleaner and general Firebird and TA part comparisons. It answered the majority of the What is this part? questions, if they'd bothered to look for themselves.

I have the 79 and 80 Tech Bulletins somewhere, but it's more for updates and wouldn't have had this page, as mentioned. I'll dig them out if I remember.