Door Panel Mystery
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Wichita Kansas
Door Panel Mystery
I have a 1972 cpe and took off the driver side door panel and stamped on the back side of it was nov 8 1982!. I'm pretty sure 1968-82 doors were the same; but all my books show the panels being different. From 78-82 they changed a lot. I'm guessing the basic door panel is the same and only the inner skin design changed? I'm assuming someone put a 72 door skin on a 82 panel? The door panel looks original; but slightly different color(dark saddle) than dash and center console. Any thoughts?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Wichita Kansas
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 372
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From: Abilene TX
I have new door panels for my 71 vert that I bought from a Chevy dealer 20+ years ago and they have a newer date, about 1985 on them. I have not used them yet. I believe they are ink stamped like the originals, just newer date.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
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From: Wichita Kansas
That makes more sense; than a repro panel. It is ink stamped also;probably bought from a dealership for a replacement. Just noticed it also has a pc of vinyl stapled along the bottom of door under the carpet strip(deluxe door), probably hiding some damage. I'll take it to a upholstery shop and see if it can be repaired..
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
That makes more sense; than a repro panel. It is ink stamped also;probably bought from a dealership for a replacement. Just noticed it also has a pc of vinyl stapled along the bottom of door under the carpet strip(deluxe door), probably hiding some damage. I'll take it to a upholstery shop and see if it can be repaired..
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
that would be the date the panel was made, not the year of application. No two years are the same. Minor details {colors, grain, and patterns} are unique to each year. Good chance it`s a Al Knoch panel. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Why would that be lucky? The ABS panels are lighter, stronger, and not vulnerable to moisture. You can't see the fiberboard, so it's not something that can be an original/not original appearance issue.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Lots of "service replacement parts," parts purchased over the counter at the dealer, have dates of production stamped on them and confuse people. Its not uncommon to see early design radiators, expansion tanks, etc have dates like '82, etc on them. I had a '63 SWC with an expansion tank that looked stock, and was stamped 1976, which was when a bunch of work was done and the part was bought from GM.
Thats what's going on with your door panel.
Thats what's going on with your door panel.
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 372
Likes: 11
From: Abilene TX
True. I have repos panels on my 67 and it took time to get them right. I am willing to bet these panels that I bought from GM and them being fiberboard will fit better and go on easier. I will have new moisture barriers in place and when finished the car will see an occasional wash only.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
True. I have repos panels on my 67 and it took time to get them right. I am willing to bet these panels that I bought from GM and them being fiberboard will fit better and go on easier. I will have new moisture barriers in place and when finished the car will see an occasional wash only.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
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From: Wichita Kansas
The backing is fiberboard. I agree with most everybody else; that's it a over the counter dealer item replacement. The other door panel is at the body shop; so I wasn't able to check the date on it.