Firebird Power Window Covers?

[murphy4600]

Greetings. I converted my '71 Formula to power windows long ago and I'm going back to the original manual now. My question for the experts is, back when I converted, I found a pair of round METAL covers for the interior roll up handles. Black with Red Bird Emblems like the plastic. I was told that they were correct for the early 70s cars. Is this correct?

 

[melsg5]

look at the parts vendors such as Ames, none of them show that type of handle as original.

 

[murphy4600]

They look just like the plastic handle covers. I'd be surprised if an aftermarket went to the trouble to make them out of metal considering the plastic covers are readily available. But if I can't verify I'll scrap them. Thanks.

 

[melsg5]

Just to clarify, these are used to plug the hole in the door panel for the hand crank when power windows are used or these are part of the hand crank for manual windows?

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[murphy4600]

Interior door panel. Covers for the hole where the manual handle would go.

 

[melsg5]

if you look at aftermarket door panels, they have only one type, no holes. If the factory did the same why would they go to the effort of punching a hole just to end up covering for a power application. I would try and look at some other cars with original power to see if they have plugs.

 

[murphy4600]

I'm thinking it was the other way around. I believe the factory door panels all had the holes. Ames sells the plastic covers, page 42 of their latest Bird catalog. Item FA179 (top left 0n the page). There are also some on eBay. Also plastic.

 

[melsg5]

I was looking for them in the Ames catalog but made the mistake of thinking they would have them listed with the window cranks and regulators. I see now they have them listed as door panel emblems. In that case I would hold on to those metal covers and try to find, perhaps at a car show, another Firebird with power windows to confirm that the originals were metal.

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[murphy4600]

It would be hard to tell the difference if I did see another car. They look pretty much the same. I suspect the guy I got them from was right, that they were metal early 70s then went plastic. Just trying to confirm. I hate to offer something up that I'm not sure about what it is!