Door Panels
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Joined: Jun 2023
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From: KY
Door Panels
Just got my first C3. 1973 Convertible. Based on the door panels and sport mirrors looks like the doors came off a 78-82.
If I wanted to put 73 door panels back on the car would I end up needing to change any of the internals of the door in order to go back to the correct style of door panels?
If I wanted to put 73 door panels back on the car would I end up needing to change any of the internals of the door in order to go back to the correct style of door panels?
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Shamong, NJ
Yes. The latch mechanism, lock rods, inside lock and release mechanism all changed in 78, as did the manner in which the door panels mount and the arm rests attach. The type of inside release, where it mounts and how it works is all different on 78 up doors.
70-75 convertible doors were unique. The top rear of the door, above the latch assembly had a recess in it that contained a chrome plated alignment pin, that matted to a round, brass lined receiver at the top of the lock pillar. Without the extra rigidity that the coupe T-bar provided, the convertible bodies can sag in the middle (for lack of a better description), which is why GM added the alignment pins and receivers to the convertible doors. Good convertible doors aren't easy to come by anymore, but you really should consider finding a pair of convertible doors, instead of trying to convert your 78-82 doors to earlier mechanisms, and still not have the alignment pieces.
Sorry, I'm sure none of that is what you wanted to hear.
Welcome to the Forum!
70-75 convertible doors were unique. The top rear of the door, above the latch assembly had a recess in it that contained a chrome plated alignment pin, that matted to a round, brass lined receiver at the top of the lock pillar. Without the extra rigidity that the coupe T-bar provided, the convertible bodies can sag in the middle (for lack of a better description), which is why GM added the alignment pins and receivers to the convertible doors. Good convertible doors aren't easy to come by anymore, but you really should consider finding a pair of convertible doors, instead of trying to convert your 78-82 doors to earlier mechanisms, and still not have the alignment pieces.
Sorry, I'm sure none of that is what you wanted to hear.
Welcome to the Forum!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,655
Likes: 3,116
From: Shamong, NJ
The sport mirrors had studs on the bottom that go through the door and get nuts on them. The chrome mirror used a nut plate riveted inside the door skin. A mirror mount was attached to the door with two screws that screw into the nut plate, and the chrome mirror was attached to the mirror mount by an allen screw. Passenger side doors didn't have the nut plate in them, since the factory never installed chrome mirrors on the right. There was a dealer installed right hand mirror available that was attached using Well Nuts (a rubber captive nut sort of like a dry wall anchor) since there was no nut plate in the door.
The left hand sport mirror has been reproduced, but they're currently on back order with no estimated availability date right now. The right side mirror has never been repro'd, but replacement glass is available for both mirrors.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: KY
Yes. The latch mechanism, lock rods, inside lock and release mechanism all changed in 78, as did the manner in which the door panels mount and the arm rests attach. The type of inside release, where it mounts and how it works is all different on 78 up doors.
70-75 convertible doors were unique. The top rear of the door, above the latch assembly had a recess in it that contained a chrome plated alignment pin, that matted to a round, brass lined receiver at the top of the lock pillar. Without the extra rigidity that the coupe T-bar provided, the convertible bodies can sag in the middle (for lack of a better description), which is why GM added the alignment pins and receivers to the convertible doors. Good convertible doors aren't easy to come by anymore, but you really should consider finding a pair of convertible doors, instead of trying to convert your 78-82 doors to earlier mechanisms, and still not have the alignment pieces.
Sorry, I'm sure none of that is what you wanted to hear.
Welcome to the Forum!
70-75 convertible doors were unique. The top rear of the door, above the latch assembly had a recess in it that contained a chrome plated alignment pin, that matted to a round, brass lined receiver at the top of the lock pillar. Without the extra rigidity that the coupe T-bar provided, the convertible bodies can sag in the middle (for lack of a better description), which is why GM added the alignment pins and receivers to the convertible doors. Good convertible doors aren't easy to come by anymore, but you really should consider finding a pair of convertible doors, instead of trying to convert your 78-82 doors to earlier mechanisms, and still not have the alignment pieces.
Sorry, I'm sure none of that is what you wanted to hear.
Welcome to the Forum!
