probably never going to get one of these

cuda hunter · April 28, 2018, 07:01:12 PM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MOPAR-NOS-1970-1971-CUDA-CHALLENGER-W-RALLY-GAUGES-DASH-HEATER-DELETE-PLATE/362303884746?hash=item545afe8dca:g:kkgAAOSwC81asqjH&vxp=mtr

Well at this price for this little piece that I have been looking for I don't think I will ever find one that I can afford.
That's a lot of I's.

JH27N0B · April 28, 2018, 07:12:32 PM

GLNOS? They always list stuff at about 3X market value. I'm surprised they ever sell anything.

RUNCHARGER · April 28, 2018, 07:36:58 PM

Meh: I'd make one before paying that much.

gumby · April 28, 2018, 07:54:30 PM

Slott's says he doesn't do plastic repair anymore. But I bet he would for you, if the price was right?

jimynick · April 28, 2018, 08:06:39 PM

"Gouging, opportunistic thieves" are the words that come to mind when I see this type of BS!

autoxcuda · April 28, 2018, 10:03:36 PM

Quote from: RUNCHARGER on April 28, 2018, 07:36:58 PM
Meh: I'd make one before paying that much.

I don't think that's hard to make at all. It sits low and shaded on the dash so you could make something that was sorta close and fool 99% of the people.

Sheet textured plastic stuck in there would be very simple and quick. Next would be spray can textured paint, then Sem over everything to match.

RUNCHARGER · April 29, 2018, 10:19:47 AM

That's what I was thinking.

anlauto · April 29, 2018, 10:46:00 AM

This is my first time seeing one not mounted in the car. Now I'm totally curious to see how they were made at the factory ?

It looks like it could be a filler plate just sitting on top of the regular piece with tabs through a slot and melted over ? Seems to me if they were going to mold a entire new piece for the heater delete car, they wouldn't have any of the details on the backside....I'm surprised it's not just a flat piece of plastic.

@VCODE any insight to this piece ? Do you have any close up pictures of yours ?

C_B5 · April 29, 2018, 11:13:28 AM

That price is crazy. Over the years had a few of these also NOS and sold for $275 -$350

Also had several of just the plastic cover that blocks the heater controls. The range on those covers either nice used or NOS was $50 - $100
One could easily make the "delete" plate cover by cutting a piece of plastic to size and finishing with wrinkle paint. The only thing would be how to mount. It could be glued but that was not how the factory attached them.

All of the heater delete covers have two molded studs (plastic) on the backside.
The factory used two different methods to attach the cover to the heater bezel.
Have seen the plates attached with "pal" nuts or the plastic studs were heated to melt / deform preventing the cover from being removed

C_B5 · April 29, 2018, 11:19:27 AM

Quote from: anlauto on April 29, 2018, 10:46:00 AM
This is my first time seeing one not mounted in the car. Now I'm totally curious to see how they were made at the factory ? It looks like it could be a filler plate just sitting on top of the regular piece with tabs through a slot and melted over ? Seems to me if they were going to mold a entire new piece for the heater delete car, they wouldn't have any of the details on the backside....I'm surprised it's not just a flat piece of plastic.

@VCODE any insight to this piece ? Do you have any close up pictures of yours ?

It is just a cover that mounts to the same factory heater bezel. That's actually how I ended up with a few NOS heater delete ones - bought the part just for the NOS heater bezel.
The "delete" cover has a part number on the back.
I may have some photos of one of the covers that was sold. Will check and post.

Cuda70-74 · April 29, 2018, 11:21:47 AM

That's a crazy price for that.

VCODE · April 29, 2018, 02:19:09 PM

Quote from: C_B5 on April 29, 2018, 11:13:28 AM
That price is crazy. Over the years had a few of these also NOS and sold for $275 -$350

Also had several of just the plastic cover that blocks the heater controls. The range on those covers either nice used or NOS was $50 - $100
One could easily make the "delete" plate cover by cutting a piece of plastic to size and finishing with wrinkle paint. The only thing would be how to mount. It could be glued but that was not how the factory attached them.

All of the heater delete covers have two molded studs (plastic) on the backside.
The factory used two different methods to attach the cover to the heater bezel.
Have seen the plates attached with "pal" nuts or the plastic studs were heated to melt / deform preventing the cover from being removed

He has that assy for many many years. I offered him the $350 for the worth of the plate, but I have an extra one for my 2 Heater Delete Cuda's. C-B5 is correct they had 2 different ways of attaching them. The line ( or vendor thing) used green flat push on clips, and over the counter used the melted stud.
Bob

anlauto · April 29, 2018, 02:20:44 PM

Hey that's pretty cool....Thanks for sharing.

VCODE · April 29, 2018, 02:30:21 PM

Quote from: anlauto on April 29, 2018, 02:20:44 PM
Hey that's pretty cool....Thanks for sharing.

Alan, both cuda's where that way, so that's why I am sure the over the counter ones where just melted over when you purchased the complete bezel. You should have been able to purchased the delete plate alone, has numbers on it.
Now trying to find the right side vent box is something different. I have never seen one for sale and only have them in my cars.
Bob

cuda hunter · April 29, 2018, 02:37:16 PM

Yes, thanks for sharing. I've not seen any pictures like this. greatly appreciated.

Always wondered why the entire back was left on the dash piece. It sounds like the reason they left the whole heater part on was just because they could cover it up and not have to rework a separate new heater delete panel. Money is at the root of course.

I figured 400 was about value for these, but @VCODE your saying just the block off plate is worth 350.00. clips must be another 25.

@C_B5 I would love to get that part number.