Anyone ever bought any of the arm rest trim plates that are listed on e-bay made of billet aluminum? They are supposed to be exactly like the originals, but made of billet aluminum.

James Hinshwaw brought a pair to the K.c. show last year they looked very nice. not sure if they are the same as ebay

T.T.T.
I also would like to know if anyone has experence with these

Hey JEFF74 and 68KMENO,

I bought a set of these trim plates from e-bay and got them today. They look pretty nice. I need to pull out some of my spare originals from my goody locker and check them for form and fit. I do have some concerns on maintaining them. I know that Zoops has a product for keeping the luster and finish of polished aluminum looking good. Not sure how they will hold-up for everyday touching without some sort of protection.

Hey since you guys were interested in these also, let me know that you saw this post.

I just got a set from the guy on ebay and they are very nice. Will be installing them soon. Be careful of the repros from OPGI, they are about 2" shorter than was is installed in my 68.

Just thought I would add a note on this topic. There is no reproduction for Chevelles with Buick interior. The Buick GS and Impala are the only cars I know of that shared the same (longer than Chevelle) arm rest.

I think that a plate from an Impala or Caprice would be the same length as the Buick interior.

I bought a set since mine were broke. They are expensive but also high quality. I've noticed a lot of guys don't run them at all:confused:

http://www.v-drivevideo.com/jerrysgallery/albums/userpics/DSC00915.JPG

http://www.v-drivevideo.com/jerrysgallery/albums/userpics/DSC00917.JPG

I looked on eBay and there are none right now. Does anyone else sell these? I was hoping to find some at the swap meet this weekend in Columbus.

I looked on eBay and there are none right now. Does anyone else sell these? I was hoping to find some at the swap meet this weekend in Columbus.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-Chevelle-Arm-Rest-Trim-Plates_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33696QQihZ001QQi temZ110123380402QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Hope this helps.. I have a sent him my of Long ones for my Buick Interior to so he can custom make me a set.. I told him I had a lot of interested people since they are the same for Buck GS/Skylark and Impala's.. Please let me know to put you on a list..

Thanks F1. Those will look awesome in the car.

I can't see any evidence that these were ever on my car. Did they come on all interiors or just the SS396s?

I can't see any evidence that these were ever on my car. Did they come on all interiors or just the SS396s?
I believe that all of the 2-door cars had the armrest plates, but the 4-doors didn't.
I don't have a lot of El Camino pictorial info, and the 2 interior pics I have in the dealer album don't show the armrest trim. This doesn't mean that they didn't have it, because in the Standard Interior Features description it says "Dual armrests (with bright molding in Custom, SS 396). So my guess it that they would have originally been on your Elky.
BillL

This doesn't mean that they didn't have it, because in the Standard Interior Features description it says "Dual armrests (with bright molding in Custom, SS 396). So my guess it that they would have originally been on your Elky.
BillL

But that description could also apply to the chrome molding strip set into the armrest, which mine does have. See 2nd picture, above. Interesting.

my 396 elcamino didn't have them. it had factory interior in it

My 68 Malibu had them when I bought it but I assume they were added. I just replaced them with the aluminum plates from ebay. They look great. Biggest problem was removing the old ones. I ended up taking the longer but safer route and removed the door panels. I then was able to use pliers to compress the metal clips and push them back through the panel.

Hey JEFF74 and 68KMENO,

I do have some concerns on maintaining them. I know that Zoops has a product for keeping the luster and finish of polished aluminum looking good. Not sure how they will hold-up for everyday touching without some sort of protection.

I was thinking you could put a good clear coat over them or maybe even have them anodized like the 68 headlight bezels.

Also, I have a 68 El camino (malibu), no trim plates. Scott

my El Camino custom had them ....... doesn't now as the original ones weren't worth the effort to reinstall when the door panels were replaced ... those are just polished ?? no clear coat ? they look NICE :D hummmm

Also 2 door 1968 caprice had the same long armrests and backplates that both Concours Chevelles and Buick Gs had. Hope that helps.

-Karl

My 68 4 door sports sedan came with them as an original item. I bought a set of those aluminum ones off ebay a year ago and still haven't got around to putting them on. About 4-5 years ago I sent all my plastic ones plus some spares and had them re-finished at a place called I think America Chrome. I've heard they are no longer in business. They were some place up North, maybe Michigan, or Wisconin.