By: Patrick H Smith
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Here we can see the three holes, under my wrist is one, bottom right is #2 with screw out, and the
third one is just above where the door handle lever goes into arm rest. It is blind so use a flashlite
to make sure you actually get the screw, Poking holes in base is real common problem. |
We do product testing of items suitable for 1971-72 era Pontiac LeMans and GTO cars. The Y Code existed only in 1972 as an identifiable engine by VIN number, but the motor existed in 1971 as well. This time out we're reviewing Legendary Auto Interiors' reproduction arm rests. These are listed as part numbers AP68 GA and color code. The arm rests are available for Pontiac LeMans and GTO for the following years, 1968 to 1972. This is offered for Buick Skylark, Olds Cutlass 442. Chevy Chevelle Malibu & SS as well. Our choice was black to match the original interior of the car. Finished in Madrid vinyl. The set came to $96.00 a pair in USD. By the time it crossed the border and arrived here it was well over $100. Not much I can do about the customs and dollar exchange. That's the cost of being on the wrong side of the border. Was it worth it? Well read on!
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With base removed you can see where the holes are and note them. Third one is right
above door handle. |
First I want to talk about shipping. Legendary Auto Interiors did a good job packing the items. It was well sealed and although no damage was incurred, I can safely say if it was bruised around a bit, the insulation inside would have protected it. Basically someone would have to stand on the box to wreck these parts. Next, the actual goods. They looked great and were finished well. No damage there either or defects. The grain is spot on to the original vinyl. I was surprised at the size of the arm rests and had to go out to the car to compare them. I also looked at pictures of cars with new interiors AND vintage road tests to see if my eyes were deceiving me. Well they weren't My existing arm rests had in fact, shrunk since 1972. The arm rest base is almost flush with the plastic arm rest holder which is bolted to the door panel. On a new car, the arm rest actually protrudes a bit outwards towards the bucket seat. Something I hadn't noticed.
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The underside of arm rest base shows a split where previous owner rammed the screw in the wrong place. Use a
flashlight to prevent this mistake. You can but repro arm rest bases if yours are hooped. |
Installing these requires you to remove the arm rest base from the door panel. It's held on with screws. The door opening lever doesn't have to be removed to do this. The too required to remove the door opener lever is the same one you use to remove window cranks. Very cheap and useful tool to buy. I think Dorman tools even makes it. Anyway, just three Phillips screws holds the arm rest base on. The sneaky third screw is at the front of arm rest base deep inside on an angle.
You'll want a long, thin shaft Phillips screwdriver and a mini flashlight to make sure you don't accidentally poke the screwdriver through the molded rubber arm rest base surround. If you do that, there'll be a nice hole in the rubber and you'll waste time spinning that screwdriver around and not removing the screw because you shot right past it! if you remove your base and you see a split or hole in the front screw location, you'll know some one's been working on it before you.
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Underside of Legendary piece (bottom in red) and original factory unit on top. GM did their
bases underneath with metal plate, Legendary's is finished in some kind of molded hard plastic. Hole
placement is spot on. |
Remove those, lift the base away from door and hold upside down. The screws holding the arm rest to the base are exposed. Undo those and the pad falls away from the base. It's that easy. The replacement Legendary arm rest pads are excellent reproductions of the originals featuring correct grain leather finish and the holes drilled underside align right where they're supposed to on the arm rest base. You will need to firmly push the arm rest against the plastic sides to match it against the surface smoothly and not leave any gaps. As you install the screws the arm rest will want to move away from the base. Just keep pressure on it sideways and the arm rest will be flush and a seamless appearance will be assured.That's the only real tip you need to know. It's that simple and a 20 minute job with all the tools.Over all I give the Legendary Interiors arm rests a good rating for fit, finish and quality control. Time will tell on the longevity issue. I don't anticipate problems though.
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As you can see, the Legendary Auto Interiors piece on bottom is accurate. See how worn out
my old one on top is? The passenger side had cracks! |
Tools Needed:
Dorman Window Crank Remover- (optional, use for changing out door handle, but most of the time they're still good.)
long thin shaft screwdriver- Phillips head.
mini flashlite (for aligning that pesky top screw and keeping it from tearing hole in arm rest base rubber.)
* Article (C) 2019 Patrick H Smith, images from PHS 1972 Y Code Registry
