The one on the right is my red 2+2 convertible, and the one on the left is the "best I could find at the time" on my black coupe.
Obviously the wood grain pattern is totally different. I'm wondering if anyone recognizes the left as perhaps a 1968? Or was it reprinted inaccurately at some point?
Yup , the console woodgrain on the left is a 68 version , for the Grand Parisienne or the Caprice ONLY . The rest of the 1968 models , offered the black mat finish only . In 69 the wood grain was changed ( as per the right) , and applied to all models.
Interesting.... the 68 Grande Parisienne had the woodgrain pattern ( as did Caprice ) , 68 Impala had the black mat finish, and 68 Canadian built Pontiac's had the brushed stainless ( Obviously to match the dash bezel) .
In 1969 there was a new woodgrain pattern for both Impala's and Canadian built Pontiacs
( I would suspect the 68 4 spd brushed stainless console plate is a super rare part to find these days )