1968 Door Panel

[Charles F.]

Hi:

I have a 1968 L36, with M20 and A/C. The car was built in April 1968, with a serial number of 17xxx. I have the judging manual in front of me and I am confused.

"In 1968, through at least SN 15,776, an integral pull beneath the top portion of the door panel is used to close the door. After SN 19,533, a horizontally-mounted color-keyed grained vinyl grab handle appears vertically below the integral pull to close the door...."

As you can see, my car SN falls between the specified SN in the judging manual. Is it supposed to have ONLY the integral pull or BOTH the integral pull and the horizontally-mounted grab handle ?

Any advise will be appreciated.

Chuck Faillace

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

That just means that we observed those door handles on those cars. Yours might have either style, but it is unlikely it will have both styles -- one on each door. If you know or think the door panels in the car are original why not let the team leader know what kind you have and help out some other 1968 owner?

[Charles F.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

I have the door panels that came with the car when I bought it last year but have no way of knowing if they are original to the car. The older panels have screw holes in them for the grab handles. Not knowing if those panels are original still leaves me questioning the situation. I thought, from the JG, that cars after SN 19533 had BOTH the integral handle AND the grab handle. I am confused by your statement that "it is unlikely it will have both styles".

Chuck

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

If I'm not mistaken, the early 68 door panels' "integral handle" was like a depressed slot for your hand molded into the top edge of the door panel, and later panels had door pull handles like the later C3 cars.

Look at the back of the door panel, what type material do you see? Original door panels were formed onto a fiberboard type backing. Some reproduction door panels will have a black ABS plastic backing, but I believe there are also repros that have a fiberboard type backing. If original door panels, the panels may have ink-stamped dates on the backing. From the TIM&JG comments, your VIN could probably go either way, which is lucky for you...I'm haven't restored a 68, but I bet the early style door panel is hard to find if replacements are needed.

In spite of the fact that both style door panels were being installed during the changeover VIN range, Terry is simply saying that any car would be consistent by having the same style door panels on BOTH doors, rather than having one of each on each door.

[Charles F.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

I looked for a date stamp on the panels, but there isn't one. The backing material is a fiberboard type material, which made me hopeful that they were original to the car. I didn't realize that some repros had it as well. I understand that both doors need to have the same configuration, but would it be acceptable for both doors to have both the integral handle AND the grab; or is only one of the two acceptable ? By the way, your description of the integral handle is exactly right.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

Chuck, 68s are NOT my primary restoration experience area.

I BELIEVE that some later repro 68-72 door panels have fiberboard backing to be truer to original construction, but I can't even say that for sure; I haven't shopped door panels in awhile. While not original, the ABS backing is substantial, but I believe it can be detected during judging. I can't say that original 68 door panels absolutely should have date stamps; but, if they do, then they are definitely original.

If you have door panels with fiberboard backing, with the integral handle molded into the top edge, then I would bet that those are the original door panels. Unfortunately, if they also have screw holes for the later door pulls, then those were probably added by a previous owner, because they didn't come from the factory with both the integral handle AND the door pull.

Your problem now is to determine your goal, and how to approach this problem. Do you keep the originals(?) with the holes and take a originality/condition deduct for the holes?...or replace the door panels, which is no small expense. Ideally, you could find a miracle worker that could pull off a hot melt vinyl repair to repair the holes, because in good condition, judges will much rather see original parts.

Someone familiar with the availability of 68 replacement door panels will have to advise you on the details. If no one is forthcoming, I would start researching the major vendor catalogs to see what's offered for 68. Catalog photographs of the product will help you assess the quality, but there is no substitue for a close up examination. In August, Corvettes at Carlisle will give you that opportunity if you don't need the panels right away. You will probably come to the conclusion that uniquely different repro door panels are probably only manufactured by two to four companies, and all the vendors are selling one of those versions.

There was a recent thread on Al Knoch's door panel pricing, and they would be a vendor to consider...quality is very good, but pricing is approaching the stars. Corvette America was mentioned in the thread as an excellent alternative to Al Knoch at lower cost. Eckler's once had excellent 68-72 door panels, but I'm not sure where their quality is now...Mid-America Designs, etc., you get the point. Many vendors also offer lower cost door panels without installed trim...if yours is in good condition, and you want to reinstall your own hardware, that will save you some money.

[Wayne P.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

68 did NOT use the later C-3 type door pull mentioned above. They had a unique horizontal handle. It's been a long time since I had a 68, but my recollection is that the later cars with the pull also had the molded in pull. Dick, please correct!

[Dick W.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

According to Reba the following is what you would expect to see The door would not have both the integral handle and the pull bar. The VINs mentioned in the JG simply mean that one is the latest car we have found with the first type pull and the earliest VIN with the second.

Note that it says "at least to.." The range between is unverified; the pull very well could have been used past 15776. We know that by the later serial number the style had changed. In judging, you will get credit for either style until we find new information.

Al Knoch will make panels with the fiberboard backing upon request. You will not get it automatically.

[John C.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

Chuck

Wayne is correct. All 68 door panels had the molded in door handle slot. Later cars also recieved an add on horizontal pull below that.

John

[Chuck S.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

My mistake...whatever configuration of the handle, the handles must have been added by an owner if the panels have the integral handle. The guys that take on the 68 challenge have my utmost respect...thanks for straigthening me out.

[Rich G.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

I disagree. My 68 built in July 68 has the original door panels. The integral "slot" handle is molded in and the horizontal handle is there.

Maybe I'm mis-reading this thread, but early cars had only the "slot". Later cars had the handle AND the slot. I'm pretty sure this is what the TM&JG says and when my car was judged, this was determined to be correct. If someone wants me to e-mail a picture I can do it tomorrow. I have no way to post one here.

Rich Giannotti 38594 richgj3@aol.com

[Paul B.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

...I have a '68 coupe #14222(March 19th build date) and it has the "molded in" only handle, while my '68 convertible #18434(May 6th build date)has BOTH the molded in and horizontal pull handle.

[John C.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

My April 18th built covertible #16471 has only the molded in handle.

[Anthony S.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

My 68 convertible #22872 (June 19 build date) has the original door panels and they have both the horizontal pull handle and molded grab slot. Hope this helps.

[Charles F.]

Re: 1968 Door Panel

Thanks to everyone. It seems this is another anomolous area for 1968. The number of transitions, and when they occurred, are amazing. My panels (both the ones that came with the car, which may or may not be original, and the repros) have BOTH the horizontal pull and the molded grab slot. Looks like that should work for my SN. As always, it's an education. Be well.

Chuck Faillace