59 Door post

[Roger W.]

I have a 58 door on the driver side of my 59. The door post does not have the 4 threaded holes for the weatherstrip clips. The post needs chrome plating, but otherwise is in good shape. Should I try to find a vendor that woul drill and tap the holes in the correct locations or find a vendor that would take my post in a trade in toward the purchase of the correct door post?

Roger

[Terry D.]

Re: 59 Door post

Be Cheaper to do it yourself

[Dan B.]

Re: 59 Door post

An exchange door post may not fit your car well and the gaps may be off. Seen this happen a few times. Best to keep what you have, do the modifications, and then get it chromed.

[Roger W.]

Re: 59 Door post

Terry and Dan,
Thanks for your advice. You reminded me that I have had a few NOS chrome moldings that did not fit nearly as good as my originals.

[Tom B.]

Re: 59 Door post

When I got my '59 back in 1969 it also had a '58 door on the right side due to a prior accident. I noticed that the post was different too but the big deal was when I tried to install the interior trim panel and I discovered that the inside door release handle was higher and further back on a '58 door and the '59 panel won't fit. I found a '60 door that is the same as a '59 and swapped doors. '58 handle is above the trim molding in the vinyl and the '59 is below the trim molding in the metal panel area.

[Roger W.]

Re: 59 Door post

Tom,
Thanks for pointing out the different position of the inside door handle. I never noticed the difference, as my original door panel was pretty well messed up.

[Tom B.]

Re: 59 Door post

Roger,
I wasn't sure that you realized that there was a difference and didn't want you to spend too much time working on the '58 just to find out it wasn't going to be right in the end.

[Roger W.]

Re: 59 Door post

Tom,
I didn't notice the difference. I am glad that you told me about the handle position. It would not be too cool to find out after the car had a new paint job.

[Pat H.]

Re: 59 Door post

My 59 had 58 door posts as well. As far as I could determine they were original to the car, but I found a set of decent 59 posts and swap them out after re-chroming them. I did not have a fittment issue. I eventually sold the 58 posts to a member that needed to re-chrome his 58 ones. With all the enviromental restrictions these day, I'm glad I did it 15 years ago.

[Roger W.]

Re: 59 Door post

Pat,
I am still pondering what to do about the post and door. I had forgotten that my 58 door had a square hole cut near where the 59 handle location would be be located. I had always wondered why somebody would cut this hole. I think that they gave up modifying the door for the correct handle location.

[Tom B.]

Re: 59 Door post

I suppose that you could relocate the handle mechanism. Make a template off of the other side to correctly locate the handle after you glass in the hole.

Tom

[Daniel J.]

Re: 59 Door post

If you are early in your restoration...I would recommend finding a door & post for a '59 - '60.
There are many small differences between '58 & '59-'60 and you will be fighting it.
Just my opinion (based on experience)

[Roger W.]

Re: 59 Door post

Dan,
I know some of the stainless molding and mounting brackets on the top of the door are different. I have already gotten the correct 59 parts.

[Roger W.]

Re: 59 Door post

Tom,
I am leaning towards relocating the handle, since my inner door panel is already damaged with a hole.