Al Knoch Door Panels

[Bill C.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Al made a set of fiber panels for me a couple years ago.
I had no fit issues at all - they lined up nicely.

They aren't cheap - around $1050 for the set.....

[George C.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

To Lyle Chamberlain,
I have Corvette America reproduction door panels, they are about 6-7 years old.
I have the same fit issues with the door locks, my solution to date has been to leave the knobs off. I can't even see they are missing when I am driving the car.
Oh yes on my list of things I need to do is to try to move the dooor locks to fit the panels.
Can you share some photos or more detail on how you moved them?

Thank you in advance,
George

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff97/gkcooper/DoorLock.jpg

[Anthony D.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

That was my thought as well. They didn't go bad from age. It seems they don't really care much about customer relations. They got their money.

The fact they asked for photos, then responded a few weeks later telling me there's nothing they will do since it's been a long time since I bought them, tells me they implicity acknowledge there's a problem but are unwilling to offer any deal to fix this. Not even meeting me in the middle with an offer to exchange for 1/2 price... If I can't find a way to get them to fit I'll probably strip off the trim parts and toss the panels. Certainly look at ALL other vendors before I'd consder Al Knoch again.

Come on guys. After 16 years. Let's be realistic here. How can anyone control what happens when a part like this sits around 16 years. Sorry, I'm not with you all on this.

[Jeff C.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I know Al is "the man" but my experience with him is BAD. 1967 seats covers that came apart at the seams during instalation. His response on the phone, send them back and we will repair them. You got to be kidding me. Premium price, bad quality, and bad customer service. I think his reputation far exceedes his product.
jeff

[Norris W.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

His response on the phone, send them back and we will repair them. You got to be kidding me. Premium price, bad quality, and bad customer service. I think his reputation far exceedes his product.
jeff

Jeff, adding a little more detail to my opinion above, I've been using Al Knock interior parts since the 80's. I have NEVER had a bad experience with the company or his products. I would guess that over the years I've probably bought 20 or more seat sets, a bunch of door panels and maybe half a dozen convertible tops. I have had one issue.......... a set of '69 door panels that did not have clear grain where they made sharp turns near the front edge. It was like the fabric went slick in those areas at the front. They cheerfully took them back and gave me a full refund. I've had multiple Top Flights, a couple of Bloomington Golds, and helped a friend with a Duntov and also the first L88 to ever get Survivor at Bloomington. I do not recall ever having an originality or condition deduction for anything Al Knock built. In my own experience his reputation is well deserved.

[Bill L.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I have had pretty good luck with Al over the years.

Funny thing is I have a passenger side NOS door panel for my 70 and the lock does not line up.

Driver's side while not NOS is an original replaced back in the day and it fits fine.



Bill

[Dick W.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Like others posting here, the all NOS GM panels I have installed had fitment issues. Going to install another set of NOS GM panels is a few weeks and expect to have to massage them also.

[Joe R.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

As far as I'm concerned Al Knoch is one of the pioneers in the Corvette Hobby! He's certainly been around Corvettes more than most of the people on this board.

He has developed techniques to reproduce door panels and other interior products at a great cost to him and his family!

If anyone on this board thinks that they can reproduce better interiors they should just jump in the water and see if they can swim!!!!

It's easy to sit back in your easy chair and be critical of those who have spent their money to research, introduce techniques, purchase machines, materials and employ people to produce those products.

May those that are perfect cast the first stone!

And yes, I am talking about Al Knoch, Terry Michaelis, Jerry Cohen, Ralph Eckler, Jim Sermersheim and many others too numerous to mention. These are the pioneers of the Corvette Hobby!

We all need to tip our hats at these people for being who they are and doing what they have done for the Corvette Hobby!


JR

[Dick W.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

And yes, I am talking about Al Knoch, Terry Michaelis, Jerry Cohen, Ralph Eckler, Jim Sermersheim and many others too numerous to mention. These are the pioneers of the Corvette Hobby!

We all need to tip our hats at these people for being who they are and doing what they have done for the Corvette Hobby!


JR

Here, Here!!

[Paul J.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

As far as I'm concerned Al Knoch is one of the pioneers in the Corvette Hobby! He's certainly been around Corvettes more than most of the people on this board.

He has developed techniques to reproduce door panels and other interior products at a great cost to him and his family!

If anyone on this board thinks that they can reproduce better interiors they should just jump in the water and see if they can swim!!!!

It's easy to sit back in your easy chair and be critical of those who have spent their money to research, introduce techniques, purchase machines, materials and employ people to produce those products.

May those that are perfect cast the first stone!

And yes, I am talking about Al Knoch, Terry Michaelis, Jerry Cohen, Ralph Eckler, Jim Sermersheim and many others too numerous to mention. These are the pioneers of the Corvette Hobby!

We all need to tip our hats at these people for being who they are and doing what they have done for the Corvette Hobby!


JR

Maybe not pioneers of the Corvette hobby as much as businessmen who risked thier money on a small and fluctuating market, and on top of that, cared enough to try to provide a quality product. Without them (and several others) we would have a much more difficult time in our restorations.

[Joe R.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Maybe not pioneers of the Corvette hobby as much as businessmen who risked thier money on a small and fluctuating market, and on top of that, cared enough to try to provide a quality product. Without them (and several others) we would have a much more difficult time in our restorations.

Very well stated Mr. Jordan,

JR

[Roger G.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Come on guys. After 16 years. Let's be realistic here. How can anyone control what happens when a part like this sits around 16 years. Sorry, I'm not with you all on this.

The issue with the panel isn't a matter of age. The panel doesn't change it's dimensions over time. They appear to be a defective panels.

I didn't have high expectations of getting an exchange after 16 years. Thought maybe some offer to help out but never expected a swap as I would if they were new. An offer to meet me half way would have been nice but not expected given the time span.

My original question was about whether others have had similar experiences with Al Knoch panels. Seems some have, others not. Some have had the same issue with NOS panels which I find interesting. I may revisit these panels someday, see if I can massage them somehow to get them to fit.

Going from here, I personally would look at others first, having been burnt this time. If I find Al Knoch is still my best bet I'll be sure to test fit immediately rather than go by reputation and let years slide by without verifying all is well.

I had problems with the seat covers as well. A seam on the back side near the seat release was wrong. The upholstery shop which installed the covers did their best to work with them. Has me wondering if they had some quality control issues back then, early 90's.

[Jim D.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Roger, Sent you a PM.

[Jeff C.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Noris,
When you are in a small customer base buiness you may have 20 positive reviews but one bad one, not good. I have intalled a least 10 interiors and have never had one spilt the way Al's did. He blew me off like I just fell off the turnup truck. I talked to him person. I ran a very large consumer buiness and I was concern with even one person who had a problem with us. Al did not extened me the same concern. So maybe the problem is that I talk to him.
Jeff Cheney

[Rich G.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I always see him at Carlisle and assumed he was the best. I bought Al"s door panels for my 72 also and just had a little problem with the right door lock but not that bad. I also bought the center console and although it looks good the fit was horrible. I bought my whole interior from him. I'm pretty happy overall but I hope it holds up now. Does anyone restore the original console?