difference between 48 and 49

[commodore8]

Hello, does anyone know what the difference is between the 48 commodore 8 coupe and the 49 commodore 8 coupe? Thanks

[nick s]

the second digit of the serial number and the available colors.

other than that the differences are suddle and many were actually mid to late 48 changes. probably the two best known varients were not clear changes with the model year - windshield drains (mid 49) and satin dash finish (mid 48).

[bill a]

The Clip On The Stainless Surrounds On The Doors Are Located In Different Positions Also

[nick s]

bill, is it the doors or quarter windows? or both? I thought it was the quarters and didn't know when the change actually happened.

[Hudzilla]

Hello, does anyone know what the difference is between the 48 commodore 8 coupe and the 49 commodore 8 coupe? Thanks
There were also other changes between the previous mentioned 48 and 49 . The rear tailights on the early 48 Commodore are not interchangeable with later 48 -51 Commorore/Hornet tailights. They look the same but will not interchange. They have no provision for holding in the plastic ornament on the clip plate used for securing the tailight bulbs in later models. They also screw in at different locations. I also believe there were some early front brake changes that were done away with after initial production began in 1948.

[bill a]

yes have found there is a different front spindle part no for the spindels and they are different

[EssexAdv]

The dash on the 48 is glossy while the 49 is finished in a satin. On some 48's the glove box doors are the dark color rather then the 2 toned as on the 49's. The shift knob on the 48 is the same as the 47, pointy. The 49 is egg shaped. The horn ring on the 48 is flat while the 49 curves up to clear the 2 spokes. Some 48's take a different brake shoe than the 49's, The color selection is different also.

[53jetman]

At some point in '49 production there was a change in the temp and gas guages. They went from horazontal graphics to vertical graphics.

Jerry
53jetman

[Uncle Josh]

According to our local club historian, they used the left over 47 spindles and brakes on the early 48s.

[walt's garage-53]

One quick look at the dash behind the steering wheel and if has a glove box door you have a 49, as they had 2 glove boxes. Walt.

[nhp1127]

One quick look at the dash behind the steering wheel and if has a glove box door you have a 49, as they had 2 glove boxes. Walt.

I thought the 48's had two glove boxes available aswell. My 48 Commodore only has one but I thought two was an option? Interesting stuff.

[Nevada Hudson]

My '48 Commodore 8, which I sold, had the two glove boxes which were factory.

[JasonNC]

One quick look at the dash behind the steering wheel and if has a glove box door you have a 49, as they had 2 glove boxes. Walt.

My 48 Commodore Six has two glove boxes.

[Hudson308]

I've got a set of those "horizontal" temp and fuel gauges from a '49 Super 6. I wondered if they were possibly original for a '48, but all the '48's I've seen have the gauges with the vertical needles like most '49's. I've seen so few of the horizontal needle gauges that it's possible they weren't implemented across the board, but maybe were sometimes provided from a different vendor besides King-Sealy in '49.

[SuperDave]

I restored a 49 Super Six back in 73, it had the sideway guages. I swapped them for the common vertical ones I took out of a 49 Commodore. Maybe a Super/Commodore thing?