1968 corvette america door panel problem

[Bob S.]

Just purchased door panels for my '68 from Corvette America. (Actually from Full throttle Corvette) After a long discussion with the Full Throttle people on whether or not to have them use Al Knoch, I went with CA. The door panels arrived, look great, and it appeared the installation, with a few "Adjustments" would go well.

Neither screw hole at the top of the panel lined up with the holes in the door. That said, I decided to use the holes already in the panel, line them up and just drill a new hole into the door at both sides. Used an Awl to punch through, and the side by the outside door handle went on perfectly. The other screw, closest to the windshield went all the way through and into the skin before it even bit into the hole. I even used a longer screw with the same result. I examined the panel, and went to a friend's who has original panels. As you can see below, the originals have a distinct "Indentation" so there is less travel space, and the screw can "catch" and still have the head and washer visible on surface of the panel.

I'm planning on calling Full Throttle Monday, but don't know what their position will be since the panel has been cut. I made sure everything lined up before cutting the Window Crank Hole and Screw Holes...Never expecting the screw to "Disappear"


Has anyone else had this experience? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Bob DeSimone(9944)

Corvette America
PANEL 1.jpg

Original

PANEL 2.jpg

Corvette America
10964_10200711916946753_118032815_n.jpg

Original...(The narrowest point is where the screw would be inserted..not so on the Repro)
21730_10200711916586744_970808586_n.jpg

[Cathy S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

My CA panels looked beautiful fit awful. I returned and bought AK panels. Just as nice. Fit was not perfect but light years better.

[Bob S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

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My CA panels looked beautiful fit awful. I returned and bought AK panels. Just as nice. Fit was not perfect but light years better.

Hi Cathy,

if you don't mind, how long ago was this? I've heard CA has gotten better.

Also, had you made any cuts in the panel before returning?

Bob DeSimone
(9944)

[Cathy S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

I purchased and installed my panels last summer, in August. I had not put the screw holes in and I have electric windows so no cuts. The panels were too thick, really stiff and not contoured. Thus bending into shape was impossible due to retaining their original shape. Also the top of the panel was too far off my door shape.

[Bob S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

I purchased and installed my panels last summer, in August. I had not put the screw holes in and I have electric windows so no cuts. The panels were too thick, really stiff and not contoured. Thus bending into shape was impossible due to retaining their original shape. Also the top of the panel was too far off my door shape.

Thanks...

Guess I'll have my hands full tomorrow when I try to return

Bob DeSimone
(9944)

[Cathy S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

Actually CA could not have been any better making sure I was happy. They actually cared. Best of luck

[Bob S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

Actually CA could not have been any better making sure I was happy. They actually cared. Best of luck

Glas to hear...Let's hope they're the same today!

[Bob S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

Actually CA could not have been any better making sure I was happy. They actually cared. Best of luck

Thought you might like to know, the company I bought the panels from (Full Throttle Corvette) is taking car of it. I'm shipping the panels back to CA, and FTC is sending me Al Knoch Panels...Probably cost a bit more, but that's a small price to pay. If you don't mind....do you remember what the backing on the AK panels were made of?

Thanks,

Bob DeSimone
(9944)

[Cathy S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

I sprung for the original type fiber backing

[Bob S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

I sprung for the original type fiber backing

Oh, so I guess that's more... Thanks... I'll let Full Throttle Corvette know that's what I want. I assume that makes the panel more "Workable?"

Bob DeSimone
(9944)

[Cathy S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

No actually the fibre board is a little stiffer. I've installed both the plastic and fibre backs. Both were not a bad install. Fibre board was "a lot " more $$$.

[Bob S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

No actually the fibre board is a little stiffer. I've installed both the plastic and fibre backs. Both were not a bad install. Fibre board was "a lot " more $$$.

Ahh....If you don't mind, what prompted you to get the Fiber?

Bob DeSimone
(9944)

[Cathy S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

Trying to emulate the original fibre material.

[Don L.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

FWIW, I've heard that the fiber backing boards fit much better than the repro. After all, the fiber board "upgrades" are OEM. Mr. Knoch told me himself that the fiber board substrates are leftover PRODUCTION components. He got them years ago from GM.

[Bob S.]

Re: 1968 corvette america door panel problem

FWIW, I've heard that the fiber backing boards fit much better than the repro. After all, the fiber board "upgrades" are OEM. Mr. Knoch told me himself that the fiber board substrates are leftover PRODUCTION components. He got them years ago from GM.

Well, my AK panels are on the way with regular backing. I would assume that if the panels are accurate, fit should be good either way. I've used a heat gun on a couple of repro interior parts to make them "Right" with excellent results. If the panels need a little "persuading" I'm ready

Bob De Simone
(9944)