Do you have to replace the entire inner part of the door to repair the rust in the top inner corners? I have a picture of it in the album.

 

Hello Mike
Just about any kind of rust damage is repairable if you have the skill to do so. Generally the rust problem is on the bottom of the door. I was able to repair my passenger side door but opted to replace the drivers side with door from donor car at a cost of $100. Knowing that replacement is an option you might take a run at it with the attitude that you have nothing to loose by trying.

 

Hi mft,
As Roco said good solid bare doors are available at a pretty reasonable cost so I think I'd see if you can find a pair.
I think the configuration of that corner of the door needs to be pretty precise because of the fit of the lock mechanism, window track mount, and interior door panel.
Plus, you'll see part of it even with the door panel in place so the repair would have to be pretty nice cosmetically too.
Regards,
Alan

 

You've got an ugly door there. I agree with Alan and Roco, might be less of a hassle to replace it with a better one.

 

How will replacing the door play into the originallity of the car?

 

If you have a early '69 (up to late November - early December build), it uses '68 hinges and the opening in the door for the hinge is a little narrower.

After December, hinges were changed and are the same thru later years.

I found this out first hand as my upper drivers door hinge was bad and need full replacement. When I got the replacement hinge it wouldn't fit into the opening in the door and I had to open it up a little. 68 style hinges are a real PITA to find as most cracked (hence why the upgraded hinge).

I realize the OP was discussing the door however, I wanted to point this out.

Eric

 

Not much. Who would know the door had been replaced?

 

I stripped all the paint off the outer shell as well as the metal frame on mine. I left behind no clues that it came from another car.

 

Sounds like I will be looking at doors...

 

Hi mft,
In thinking about the 'originality' of a replacement door I believe you might want to make sure you get doors that don't have the 'crash beam' in them. The ends of that beam can be seen in both the front and rear of the door where the fiberglass skin is bonded to the metal frame.
Regards,
Alan

 

Mike,
I thought I would chime in as I'm going through a door rebuild right now. I have a '71 convertible and my doors had serious rust problems.





My search for good '70-'72 convertible doors (at a decent price) took over a year. The '70-'72 'vert doors have an alignment "spear" that is located in a recess on the inner door sheetmetal. This makes them different from the coupe doors, which of course, were plentiful and inexpensive. I recall the '69 'vert doors have a "wedge" instead of the spear, but I'm not sure if that makes them different than the '69 coupe sheetmetal.

Regarding your door, it looks like the damage is concentrated in the upper, rear corner...so your rear window channel mount is not affected, nor is the lock mount (a pic of the rear surface would help to further assess that). The material holding the rear felt bumper looks like it is a little cancerous. Here is a pic of my donor door...the metal that is missing on your door is an anchor location for the rubber moulding.



Knowing what I know now, I would suggest you try to repair your door if there is no other rust. You might be able to get that needed material from an otherwise damaged coupe door.

Alan mentioned the "crash beam" and those will be in the '73-'75 convertible doors.

Good luck with your project...I've needed plenty with mine so far,
EWahl

 

Doors are cheap. I replaced one on the last 74 that I restored. Cost $100 for a conv door.

 

Hi mft,
I don't know where you're located but there are generally quite a few bare doors available at Carlisle at good prices.
Might you be close enough to check there?
Regards,
Alan

 

Carlisle is about 4 hours away so thats not to bad. Its coming up soon also...Are the coupes and conv doors the same?