I just assembled my 4 speed console kit today and I realized that there wasn't a striker for the spring loaded lid. I'm guessing that wasn't supposed to be in the kit since I can't find it anywhere. How am I supposed to be able to keep my lid shut!!!??? Help!!!

Not sure what you mean by a striker Steve. The 69 console lid has a "spring loaded ball" on the front edge of the lid. Then it has a little plate for that ball to ride on. Thats the latch system in 69.

That's what I'm talking about - the plate that screws on to the console base that the ball pushes up against to hold it shut. It's listed as a "striker" GM part number 3954583 in the assembly manual. The kit didn't come with anything for the ball to ride on and I don't see anything in any of the catalogs.

Steve; The striker that you are talking about ( that the spring loaded plunger latches into) is not available ANYWHERE. It is not reproduced. I looked for one for several years and was unable to find one. Your best bet would be to either fabricate your own or keep your eye out for a very cheap console on ebay that has the latch on it. Occasionally you will see one that is pretty beat up and pretty cheap but it has the latch. You will still be paying $50.00 to $100.00 for a latch. As long as we are on the subject the spring or ball is not reproduced either. Is your console an original or a new repo unit? I thought the lids on the repo units were set up differently as I recall contacting retailers and inquiring about a new lid. Or are you mixing some old parts with some new parts?

My lid is a repo and it came fully assembled with the plunger and spring already in there. It's an OPGI made piece. Thanks for the info, looks like I'll be making something now. I wish that I would have known that this is a problem with the 69 console because I would have just went with a 70 set up :/ I don't understand how they can make the entire kit for something like this but not reproduce the striker/latch. Strange.

Steve: I would contact OPGI and ask them what the deal is. I assume you also purchased a repo console base from them as well. It was my understanding that as far as the repo lids from 68-72 ( which is a similar style console but actually three different models 68/69/70-72)The lids were boken intwo groups the 68 style which is unlined and has no closing latch ( other than a hinge side spring that keeps some tension on the lid)and the 70-72 style which has the keyed lock and the striker plate on the side of the storage compartment. I did not realize there was a repo of the 69 lid that actually has the spring and plunger. Maybe OPGI has a line on consoles from a different manufacturer. As you are probably finding out the 69 console is a one year item as far as the lid/latch and the placement of the seat belt holding clips. Do you have a repo base and if so are the seat belt holding clips the correct style and in the correct location? Never had a lot of luck with OPGI.

I actually bought the stuff from Big Tony's Chevelles R Us. I received the stuff in OPGI boxes and I bought the entire kit as I am going from bench to buckets and adding the console. The seat belt clips were not included and I ordered them separately. I used the pics in my assembly manual along with looking at some cars at local shows to determine placement as best a possible. That was a big pain in the rear!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I found a solution. A glove box striker/catch for a 66-67 Chevelle works perfect. All I did was add a washer behind each side as a shim. Looks good in there too. The average eye would definitely not know the difference. Here are some pics of it. They came out a little blurry if anyone is really interested I can try to retake them.

http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af67/shrynie/S5000288.jpg
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af67/shrynie/S5000289.jpg
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af67/shrynie/S5000290.jpg