Bezel color??

fourforty6pac · Post by **fourforty6pac** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:12 am

I remember seeing some early Mopar advertising that showed the cluster bezel
that had an argent finish instead of the wood grain. Did anyone else see this? Did any of these sneak out? (maybe on a very early car). I have never seen one so it makes me think the answer is no. I heard something years ago about this, but my memory fails me.

Post by **bruce** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:21 am

Argent was the original design and used probably only on one VERY early car. The woodgrain was a cost-cutting move that was implemented for production. FWIW, John Herlitz, the designer of our beloved b-bodies, HATED the woodgrain and wished the argent panel had made it into production.

Post by **Eric** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:27 pm

Even the two early pilot cars I've seen (one unrestored) had the woodgrain bezel....I do know of one...Gary (Dayclona) created one for their 71 Superbird!

landon1 · Post by **landon1** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:29 pm

i guess you're probably talking rallye clusters...but i have a question...was it just the chargers that had the silver machined-look standard clusters or was that a plymouth thing too? just wonderin...

fourforty6pac · Post by **fourforty6pac** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:46 am

bruce wrote:Argent was the original design and used probably only on one VERY early car. The woodgrain was a cost-cutting move that was implemented for production. FWIW, John Herlitz, the designer of our beloved b-bodies, HATED the woodgrain and wished the argent panel had made it into production.

That makes sense. The only pic. I saw only showed the gauge cluster, I'm wondering if John Herlitz did the same on the dash trim on the other side in argent too. Any knowledge on this one? I don't know if I like the argent of thr wood grain better. I'm leaning toward the wood grain. A darker argent would be better then the light argent in the pic. I saw. Thanks for the info.

fourforty6pac · Post by **fourforty6pac** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:53 am

fourforty6pac wrote:
bruce wrote:Argent was the original design and used probably only on one VERY early car. The woodgrain was a cost-cutting move that was implemented for production. FWIW, John Herlitz, the designer of our beloved b-bodies, HATED the woodgrain and wished the argent panel had made it into production.
That makes sense. The only pic. I saw only showed the gauge cluster, I'm wondering if John Herlitz did the same on the dash trim on the other side in argent too. Any knowledge on this one? I don't know if I like the argent of the wood grain better. I'm leaning toward the wood grain. A darker argent would be better then the light argent in the pic. I saw. Thanks for the info.

I think I can answer my own question, after a little thought. They probably would have used the black insert. I think the black one looks good but I don't think I ever saw one with A/C or the strato-vent option. It would be nice in a bare bones, no option car.