1965 Dodge Dart Charger
Interesting idea, but I'm not seeing mention of the console on the interior page of the '65 Dodge paint chart. Also seems to me if the console were meant to be painted, we might see it listed as a PAR (Paint As Required) part with only one service part number...no?
Dan, I do remember years ago the parts books listed interior parts by color and you could order whatever color you wanted. However, I ran into situations where I ordered say, a tan part, but received a blue part. Thinking there was a mistake or the part was packaged wrong, I would reorder it. Then I might receive another blue one, or maybe red or black. When I questioned the parts guy about not getting the color I ordered he said that after a period of time, all the replacement parts were just stored together or boxed up with out regard to color, and they were just randomly pulled when an order came in. After the cars were a few years old it wasn't feasible to stock every part in every color. Eventually, the parts might be listed in the book as PTM (paint to match) until all stock was depleted.
My Dupont color charts only go back to 1966 so my info may not apply to the '65 model year. However, on the usage chart for various interior colors Dupont
does list the console as among the parts to be painted.
You notice all interior color #s have an 'L' suffix. This denotes 'Lucite' which was the Dupont trade name for laquer. I don't know if there is anyone who mixes Lucite any more. It's not available locally. I also don't know if the Dupont #s could be crossed over with any other brands. At one time that was possible. Interior paint also had a flattening compound added as stated on the back of the chart.
Modern Dupont interior paint (vinyl paint) is based on the Chromabase paint system. The balancer and binder is replaced with vinyl resin in either low, medium, or high gloss. It can be used on any interior surface, not just vinyl.
Now, regarding the console in question. In case a quality replacement is not found I personally would paint it. Done properly with the appropriate paint it would be really hard to detect. Vinyl paint is high hiding but thin so it doesn't fill in the texture of parts. It usually covers with 2 very light coats. Of course it won't look pristine if it has scratches or rub marks on it. Paint won't hide them.
I hope this sheds a bit more light on the subject.
Shown are the 1966 color charts.
Dallas