66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
I heard some talk about some new repo door panels for a 66 that actually fit and look right. Can't find the old posts. I would have to replace the backing, fix some small rips and redye my originals. Any advice???
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
Go for the repo's!!!! -
66 Door Panels - Need help from mid-year owners
Greg,
I'd like to know the answer to your question as well. The original door panels on my '66 coupe are in fairly nice condition, but you wouldn't mistake them for assembly line new. Is there someone better than Al Knoch for repro door panels in terms of matching the as-new GM originals?
GaryComment
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo? Corvette America
I think Corvette America was supposed to have retoolled for new panels but I haven't heard from anybody whether they fit better or the quality of the vinyl. The vinyl on the ones I've seen is pretty bad.
Anybody??Comment
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Greg: Is the Al Knoch vinyl bad on their door panels?
Greg,
When you say the vinyl on the repro door panels is bad, is that true of the Al Knoch door panels? Al's products don't typically fall into the bad repro category.
GaryComment
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
My one experience at judging at the regional level tells me that if you have an original part, use it. The exception to that would be if the CONDITION point loss on your original would exceed the ORIGINALITY point loss by going with a repop.
I don't remember what the point total is for door panels, but unless yours are trashed, I'd tend to reuse them.Chris Enstrom
North Central Chapter Judging Chairman
1967 Rally Red convertible, 327/350, 4 speed, Duntov @ Hampton in 2013, Founders @ KC in 2014, family owned since 1973
2011 Z06, red/redComment
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66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
Chris,
I tend to agree with you about using original parts whenever possible. But there are many times when a new repro part will garner zero deducts on originality.
GaryComment
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
Greg,
I put new door panels from Corvette America on my '64 coupe last year. The fit was almost perfect. The only holes I really had any problems with were for the "hockey stick" trim. I can't speak for the vinyl as I'm not a judge, but I think it looks pretty good. I've tried to attach a picture if that helps any.Comment
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Chris Enstrom
North Central Chapter Judging Chairman
1967 Rally Red convertible, 327/350, 4 speed, Duntov @ Hampton in 2013, Founders @ KC in 2014, family owned since 1973
2011 Z06, red/redComment
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
It's ESPECIALLY hard trying to figure that out BEFORE the car has been on the judging field at least once......(ask me how I know)Chris Enstrom
North Central Chapter Judging Chairman
1967 Rally Red convertible, 327/350, 4 speed, Duntov @ Hampton in 2013, Founders @ KC in 2014, family owned since 1973
2011 Z06, red/redComment
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
Chris,
Judging at the chapter and regional levels and OJ'ing at the Nationals and seeing what repros are good and what ones aren't has saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars that I didn't spent on bad repro parts.
GaryComment
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
I judged the interior of two 66's at my last event. One had repro door panels and one had originals. All I can say is the soft feel of the originals is unmistakable. I do not know who made the repros, but they were easy to spot just be feeling them.
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
Exactly Gary, that's why I started this thread. I don't know the makers of the ones I've seen unfortunately. Before I spend big $ on door panels or long hours on restoring the ones I have I was hoping maybe someone had some experience with judging the new CA panels or Al Knochs.
Thanks for the input everybody.Comment
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Re: 66 Door Panel Restore or Repo?
Just a quick comment. I purchased repro's for my 66 vert from corvette central. They look great but took alot of cutting and fitting to get them on. If I remember I spent well over an hour on each panel.
GregComment
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