'68 Vs '69
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The holes are still there underneath my '68 panels.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 251
Likes: 3
From: Louisville Kentucky
To each his own.
I am not absolutely sure what year door frames or panels were or my car. They actually may be mid 70's because my panels were the deluxe woodgrain panel. I thought 69 to 77 were the same. What I do know is that in the recessed area of the 68 door pull it is recessed the entire length of the pull area. On the non 68 door toward the rear of the pull area the factory actually modified this recess and added an angled brace. This brace modification also affected the inner door panel. The inner door panel had a small notch with a piece of metal inserted into the door panel. I think this metal was to add structural integrity to the new door pull. When you just drill a hole in the door frame it does not have the correct angle or strength to properly hold the door pull. This puts added stress on the screw which more than likely is eventually going to fail. While it is possible I would not recommend it. Nevertheless we all have our own set of standards. Once the door panel was installed and as long as the screw does not strip out no one would know you did a half *** job. Except yourself.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I think any panel will "fit" any door (68-77). But, you may have to drill some attachment screw holes, depending on what you have. The '68 door panel stuck out further at the top of the panel so that there would be room for a finger-grab below it. It didn't work too well, but it was functional. I had one years ago.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
When I went looking for my car I started with any 68-73 convertible would work,
I saw lots of 68's but then I knew I wanted a 69...I heard that 68's have little first year issues but I mod so that doesnt mean anything to me, if I was a purists I might want 68 because it's first.
The only reason I insisted on a 69 is about as silly as it can be and that is the play and all on the number "69"
I saw lots of 68's but then I knew I wanted a 69...I heard that 68's have little first year issues but I mod so that doesnt mean anything to me, if I was a purists I might want 68 because it's first.
The only reason I insisted on a 69 is about as silly as it can be and that is the play and all on the number "69"
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,950
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From: Lafayette LA
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
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