1969 GTX vs. RoadRunner Horn Button Difference

[ToddMcF2002]

Restoring my 69 GTX Steering wheel and I've sourced a few horn buttons. I'm just noticing now that the outer ring on some cars is on the outside vs. passing though the soft portion. I've see online that its mostly the GTX with the ring on the outside, but not always. Can anyone opine?

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Nobody here knows which is correct for each car? I'm surprised!

 

[1968rt]

This is a wheel from a 69 GTX I picked up. all original unrestored.

 

[threewood]

Are you sure that the one is passing through the soft part? Looks to me like the ones where the metal is exposed is shrunk from age. Whereas one not exposed is not shrunk and still covering the metal ends.

 

[1968rt]

I will have to really examine it. I have the car in storage now. When I get to the garage I will take better pictures.

 

[1968rt]

Here's a GTX from a mecum auction.

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Are you sure that the one is passing through the soft part? Looks to me like the ones where the metal is exposed is shrunk from age. Whereas one not exposed is not shrunk and still covering the metal ends.

For whatever reason there are two designs. Hard to believe really but apparently its different.

 

[Cojohnso1]

My GTX. Ring stops like that of 1st RR pic. This is the only pic I have on my phone. But left side shows in does not pass thru.

That did it! I'm calling Chrysler! Demanding a recall!!!

 

[ToddMcF2002]

My GTX. Ring stops like that of 1st RR pic. This is the only pic I have on my phone. But left side shows in does not pass thru.

That did it! I'm calling Chrysler! Demanding a recall!!!

View attachment 1208299

Well I'm not going to run out and spend another $250 on a clean horn pad just for this issue. Its not really clear if this is an "official" difference between RoadRunners & GTX's or if they sourced the pads from different vendors that did it slightly different. I've generally noticed GTX's have the exposed ring and RoadRunner has the embedded ring, but like your car I've seen other examples that break the pattern. But it would be great to get an official "ruling" here.

 

[ToddMcF2002]

Just to add - I can see logic in embedding the ring given the wheel has a tendency to crack there. An embedded ring would be far friendlier for the plastic. Maybe they did some kind of mid run change for that reason? Just a theory.

 

[Cojohnso1]

Well I'm not going to run out and spend another $250 on a clean horn pad just for this issue. Its not really clear if this is an "official" difference between RoadRunners & GTX's or if they sourced the pads from different vendors that did it slightly different. I've generally noticed GTX's have the exposed ring and RoadRunner has the embedded ring, but like your car I've seen other examples that break the pattern. But it would be great to get an official "ruling" here.

I wonder if this may not have an "Official rule?" Sometimes that "Official rule" (I believe) is made up by the blue blood restoration crowd. When in fact? The manufacturer really didn't care back in the day. Or a change was made due to discovery on the line to save a penny or two per unit?

 

[Matthew Miller]

I would say its a vendor thing!

 

[kiwigtx]

I would say its a vendor thing!

Agreed....two different factories or Vendors making the same part....differences may have occurred that have never been picked up on.

 

[chtampa]

I understood that it was a mid year change.