Author Topic: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?  (Read 2206 times)

Offline mungus

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Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« on: November 01, 2017, 06:59:28 AM »
Just wondering. Is the knee pad or lower dash pad part of an option group (like the decor option), or just a separate option that would be listed on the sales sheet?

Thanks
March 14th 1968 - Metuchen S code Fastback
C6 auto, LS 3.25 diff, Gulfstream Aqua, Black Vinyl, Headrests, Console, GT group, PS, PB, AM/FM stereo, F70 tires, tinted glass, louvered hood.

Offline 67gta289

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2017, 09:14:24 AM »
Standard on 67.  For 68 I think it was deleted at some point as part of the cost cutting efforts that may have resulted in part from the financial impact of the strike.   Hopefully someone can chime in on date ranges which might be different depending on assembly plant.  Once it was deleted it might have been part of the interior decor option, but someone more familiar with those nuances should be able to get past my speculation
John
67 289 GTA Dec 20 1966 San Jose
7R02C156xxx
MCA 74660

Offline ruppstang

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2017, 09:36:46 AM »
67gta289 is correct it went away with pillar pad and recessed reflectors post strike. I do not know if there are any exact dates but IMHO they disappeared between January 1-15th. The date may have had a lot to do with when the supply ran out.
The dash knee pad was not part of any other option or use again in the 68 model year. 

Offline mungus

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2017, 03:34:50 PM »
Thanks Ruppstang. That explains why my March 68 car doesn't have one!
March 14th 1968 - Metuchen S code Fastback
C6 auto, LS 3.25 diff, Gulfstream Aqua, Black Vinyl, Headrests, Console, GT group, PS, PB, AM/FM stereo, F70 tires, tinted glass, louvered hood.

Offline stangerdude

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2017, 08:30:56 PM »
The current 68 I am working on (Feb. 20th) does not have either. My 68 coupe which I sold a while back (do not remember build date) had the pillar pads but no knee pad. My current 68 GT fastback has both knee pad and pillar pads but the knee pad is the regular low profile 67 type and not the fat style I have seen on a few 68's.   Paul
68 GT Fastback San Jose built

Offline OldMustangGuy

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2017, 02:22:54 AM »
My 68 GT350 with a Jan 22 build date does not have the knee pad but does have pillar pads and recessed reflectors.
« Last Edit: November 04, 2017, 02:25:05 AM by OldMustangGuy »

Offline ruppstang

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2017, 08:58:40 AM »
My 68 GT350 with a Jan 22 build date does not have the knee pad but does have pillar pads and recessed reflectors.

Cars like this with part of the early equipment substantiates that Ford like any for profit business would use the old inventory till it ran out.

Offline WT8095

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #7 on: November 04, 2017, 09:24:52 AM »
My Feb. 7 (actual build date) fastback has pillar pads, no knee pad, recessed reflectors, and round base antenna.
Dave Z.

'68 fastback, S-code + C6. Special Paint (Rainbow promotion), DSO 710784. Actual build date 2/7/1968, San Jose.
'69 Cougar convertible, 351W-2V + FMX, Meadowlark Yellow.

Offline dave6768

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2017, 09:51:06 PM »
My 68 is July Metuchen.  Does not have pillar pads or knee pad and has the external reflectors.

I was at a show yesterday and saw a 68 with pillar pads, but no knee pad.  (I don't know the plant or date)

Offline Coralsnake

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2017, 06:25:59 PM »
The knee pad, pillar pads and reflectors all have different phase out dates. As stated above, none was a part of any group or option.

Offline bhoulis

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #10 on: November 08, 2017, 02:42:55 PM »
Or until the dash panels with holes in them ran out......perhaps. Just a thought. Brian

Offline 427Fastback

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2017, 05:53:17 PM »
My 68 is a SJ mid dec 67 built car.It has the pillar mouldings and the knee pad on the dash.I have owned the car since 1977.

Offline Coralsnake

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #12 on: November 08, 2017, 07:47:16 PM »
Knee pads seem to end around the end of Dec 67...pillar pads tge last week in February 68...just an estimate

Reflectors vary by bodystyle and plant but Feb 15-21 1968 is a good estimate for the changeover
« Last Edit: November 08, 2017, 07:50:11 PM by Coralsnake »

Offline Flade

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #13 on: February 01, 2023, 10:31:20 PM »
My San Jose car (May 28 build date) has the Pillar Pads, no knee pads, and the late style (Cougar) quarter Reflectors.
68 Convertible, 289 C4, SJ May 68 build date

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: Knee pad / lower dash pad. Part of group?
« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2023, 08:13:18 PM »
My San Jose car (May 28 build date) has the Pillar Pads, no knee pads, and the late style (Cougar) quarter Reflectors.

That's odd. How unrestored is your car?  Looking at a handful of 68 SJ cars built within a few days (unrestored before and after) they don't have the pillar pads.

One of those is my Calif Special finished May 15th

Guess this might be an interesting subject for a survey to see when each plant changed
« Last Edit: February 02, 2023, 08:22:41 PM by J_Speegle »
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)