68 Corvette Door Panels
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
68 Corvette Door Panels
Does any one make a good 68 Corvette door panel. I bought a set of door panels from Corvette America and they don't fit very well. Has anyone had the same problem? Who makes the best for fit and appearance? AL.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
The other maker of ABS panels in Texas do not fit that well either. The ABS panels need to be installed on a warm to hot day. Lay them out in the sun (upholstered side down) and form them to fit. A good industrial grade heat gun helps also. It will try your patience!
You can get the original type fiberboard material door panels from them for close to 1000.00 greenies.
The original material is more flexible and pliable and can be formed much easier than these darned ABS panels. I finally got my left door panel to fit fairly well and am now working on the right one. It was hard to get the top edge to fit the door frame properly.
As far as I know Knoch and Corvette America are the only 2 makers of the ABS panels.
You can get the original type fiberboard material door panels from them for close to 1000.00 greenies.
The original material is more flexible and pliable and can be formed much easier than these darned ABS panels. I finally got my left door panel to fit fairly well and am now working on the right one. It was hard to get the top edge to fit the door frame properly.
As far as I know Knoch and Corvette America are the only 2 makers of the ABS panels.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
here they are installed.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
68 Corvette Finish Line
I looked (ones from Corvette America) mine over again and see the metal trim has to much gloss and not very straight. The fit was bad as well. AL Knoch's are very nice having the 100% GM correct white tight snap fasteners and have a bass "O" ring at the top corners on the inside to support the trim screws on the out side corners. The grain was uniform and also notice the ABS was a bit thinner and makes the panel much more flexible for a better fit. I should have bought AL's but we will see what Corvette America will do for me. At this point I'm looking for them to exchange my complete panels for a set that I can reuse my original trim on, AL.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: Sebastian Florida
I don't know of anybody who supplies fiberboard door pannels. Could you please be more specific with a co. name, web site or a phone number.
The best door panels I've seen are from Al Knoch. They have an appearance and depth of texture on the panel that is the closest to the original that I've seem so far. But even they are not identical to the original panels (which I still have a set of from my 1971). The Al Knoch panels were not to hard to fit on my car, but you have to plan it well and measure the drill hole for the window crank as accurately as possible. I used my old original door panels as a measuring guide.
The best door panels I've seen are from Al Knoch. They have an appearance and depth of texture on the panel that is the closest to the original that I've seem so far. But even they are not identical to the original panels (which I still have a set of from my 1971). The Al Knoch panels were not to hard to fit on my car, but you have to plan it well and measure the drill hole for the window crank as accurately as possible. I used my old original door panels as a measuring guide.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
68 Corvette Fiinsh Line
Thanks for your follow up! 
I was at the Carsile car show and stopped at AL Knoch's and seen his plastic back panels and they was very well made and would not need to but the cardboard ones because the plastic is thinner and more flexable and more closer to the correct inside shape.
I was at the Carsile car show and stopped at AL Knoch's and seen his plastic back panels and they was very well made and would not need to but the cardboard ones because the plastic is thinner and more flexable and more closer to the correct inside shape.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
68 Corvette Door Panels
Well, I contacted Corvette America about my problem and found them to be very knowledgable and helpful. I will be getting another set (less trim) and install them ASAP, AL.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
I don't know of anybody who supplies fiberboard door pannels. Could you please be more specific with a co. name, web site or a phone number.
The best door panels I've seen are from Al Knoch. They have an appearance and depth of texture on the panel that is the closest to the original that I've seem so far. But even they are not identical to the original panels (which I still have a set of from my 1971). The Al Knoch panels were not to hard to fit on my car, but you have to plan it well and measure the drill hole for the window crank as accurately as possible. I used my old original door panels as a measuring guide.
The best door panels I've seen are from Al Knoch. They have an appearance and depth of texture on the panel that is the closest to the original that I've seem so far. But even they are not identical to the original panels (which I still have a set of from my 1971). The Al Knoch panels were not to hard to fit on my car, but you have to plan it well and measure the drill hole for the window crank as accurately as possible. I used my old original door panels as a measuring guide.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
You did better than I did with Corvette America interior parts. When I called on my problem, they couldn't care less. Maybe they've lost some business due to their lackluster attitude about customer problems. Glad you got helped. (Or, maybe the new ones will be just like the old ones.) 
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jan 10, 2016 at 06:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
Panel Fit
You did better than I did with Corvette America interior parts. When I called on my problem, they couldn't care less. Maybe they've lost some business due to their lackluster attitude about customer problems. Glad you got helped. (Or, maybe the new ones will be just like the old ones.)
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
interior panels
[QUOTE=IDOXLR8;1591296168]. had a impossible time installing them,
A heat gun works wonders making aftermarket plastic panels and seat covers more cooperative. Just don't overdo it to the point you melt something. Or just wait until the outside temperature is triple digits and set the pieces out in the sun. I watched my upholstery guy do the seats on a couple cars and he heats everything, including leather, to make it more flexible and stretchable. RA
A heat gun works wonders making aftermarket plastic panels and seat covers more cooperative. Just don't overdo it to the point you melt something. Or just wait until the outside temperature is triple digits and set the pieces out in the sun. I watched my upholstery guy do the seats on a couple cars and he heats everything, including leather, to make it more flexible and stretchable. RA
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Just a FYI, we carry and discount to forum members, Al's interior products on our site. 
Most sale codes will work with his products.
The 68 link is below.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...c_part_year=18
Most sale codes will work with his products. The 68 link is below.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...c_part_year=18
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jan 11, 2016 at 12:22 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,380
Likes: 789
From: Redondo Beach, California
The original door panels, top dash panel, and speedo/tack and passenger panels my 68 Corvette still looks perfect. There are 47 years old and are probably not going to last that much longer. I think about buying repro panels even though I currently don't need them. They are the medium bright blue color.
I have Al Knoch leather seats in the car, and Al Knoch 69 head rests and Snakeoyll (spell?) duplicate seat belts and 68 duplicate shoulder belts in the car. Only 35 68 Convertibles came with factory shoulder belts. I have exact duplicate belts including the little plastic, exact color, NOS cups that hold the shoulder belt clips...a la 67 Corvettes.
I have Al Knoch leather seats in the car, and Al Knoch 69 head rests and Snakeoyll (spell?) duplicate seat belts and 68 duplicate shoulder belts in the car. Only 35 68 Convertibles came with factory shoulder belts. I have exact duplicate belts including the little plastic, exact color, NOS cups that hold the shoulder belt clips...a la 67 Corvettes.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
The original door panels, top dash panel, and speedo/tack and passenger panels my 68 Corvette still looks perfect. There are 47 years old and are probably not going to last that much longer. I think about buying repro panels even though I currently don't need them. They are the medium bright blue color.
I have Al Knoch leather seats in the car, and Al Knoch 69 head rests and Snakeoyll (spell?) duplicate seat belts and 68 duplicate shoulder belts in the car. Only 35 68 Convertibles came with factory shoulder belts. I have exact duplicate belts including the little plastic, exact color, NOS cups that hold the shoulder belt clips...a la 67 Corvettes.
I have Al Knoch leather seats in the car, and Al Knoch 69 head rests and Snakeoyll (spell?) duplicate seat belts and 68 duplicate shoulder belts in the car. Only 35 68 Convertibles came with factory shoulder belts. I have exact duplicate belts including the little plastic, exact color, NOS cups that hold the shoulder belt clips...a la 67 Corvettes.
I paid dearly for mine, I have the lap and shoulder option in mine and looked everywhere and finally put together a good set BTW my low option had the deluxe belts (go figure!) just one more nightmare, my low option 68 had a rear window defogger, try to find a unbroken blower vent for that one, I did but was not easy!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
Just a FYI, we carry and discount to forum members, Al's interior products on our site. Most sale codes will work with his products.
The 68 link is below.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...c_part_year=18
Most sale codes will work with his products. The 68 link is below.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...c_part_year=18
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 143
Likes: 9
Now you guys have me wondering about my panels. I was going to purchase new panels, but now I'm worried about installation. I am changing the color of my interior. Question: could I send out my original panels and have reupholstered to my choice of color? This way I'm still using the origal backing that I know will fit.
Thanks,
Todd
Thanks,
Todd
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 33
Now you guys have me wondering about my panels. I was going to purchase new panels, but now I'm worried about installation. I am changing the color of my interior. Question: could I send out my original panels and have reupholstered to my choice of color? This way I'm still using the origal backing that I know will fit.
Thanks,
Todd
Thanks,
Todd