68 Door Panels

[Cathy S.]

My original panels are sad. Who makes the best dare I say repros?

[Michael D.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

Probably Al Knoch.

[Mark D.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

Cathy,
For an extra charge, Al will make shark door panels with the original backing board.
If the car is gonna be judged, don't forget the vapor barriers.

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

To my knowledge no one repos the early version. Al would be my vendor of choice.

[Russ T.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

I just installed a new interior in my '68 convertible from Corvette America.
I was pleased with the quality, inventory and service. They also blasted my
seat frames and re-built the seats with new foam, etc. No problems, everything
looks great.

You may want to check them out. They have a wide variety of products and a nice catalog.

Russ Trotter
NCRS #15044

[Michael M.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

Corvette America puts a lot of R&D into their products. I've taken a tour of their plant (Pa. Made in America!). They take a lot of pride in their products they make. Switched from Al K to them based upon fit, finish, ease of return if needed etc. based upon previous purchases.
Don't have a horse in the race just an opinion. As with anything, we all care for different vendors based upon the good bad and the ugly.

[Cathy S.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

I received my CA panels today. Look beautiful fit is awful. The original panels are contoured the CA panels are straight. Put one corner on the opposite corner is 2" off the door. I would really have to bend to fit. I'm sure if I bend as much as needed the vinyl will separate from the back board. Boy am I sorry I didn't buy AK.

[Brandon T.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

I would send the door panels back to CA and get some from AL K.

[Ron G.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

I don't judge interiors, but it has been my experience that Al Knock's panel's seem to have more of a correct grain and give to them as oppposed to the other after market products. Even as good as Knock's are, they do not 100% resemble the factory originals. Just a suggestion, that if your panels are some waht restoreable, they can be repaired and restored to look as new. There is a guy here in Connecticut that does an awsome job including reincorpating the grain. Something to think about as I always prefer restoring an original rather than using a reproduction.

[Charles P.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

I recently used CA panet in my coupe. As someone said in an earlier post, the fit was horrifying. Shortly after installing them, I met a gentleman at the Houston Corvette Expo and he had the same problem putting them in his Top Flight car. He said he had to "shave" the back side a little at a time to take the "rocking from top to bottom" out and the top and bottom to touch at the same time. If I had to do it over again, I'd try Al's.


Charles Prejean

'68 L79 Coupe

[Cathy S.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

I placed an order with AK. Boy I hope his are better.

[Cathy S.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

Received my AK panels today. What a difference. Fit and quality is perfect. Thanks Al!

[Alan S.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

Hi Cathy,
Did you buy the panels with the abs or fiber-board backing?
If the fiber-board, I'm curious about the cost.
Thanks!
Regards,
Alan

[Cathy S.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

I went with abs. I did not inquire about the fiberboard.

[Mark D.]

Re: 68 Door Panels

Alan,

A buddy of mine bought some black door panels with the fiberboard backing for his 69 from Knoch. That would have been about a year ago and, I think, they were $585.00 each.

Mark

ADD: He paid $1106.25 total.