Console side panels- junk ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Brandon Manitoba
Console side panels- junk ?
Just completing the interior redo on my 80 and I am at the console side panels. All new console parts have been used and now I come to the carpet covered panels that I purchased new. I try to line them up with the contours of the consloe and they don't seem to fit properly. Has anybody had the same problems with this job or am I doing something wrong. To me it looks as though I am going to have to customize my own panels.But then the carpet I got with the carpet set will not fit either. Any advise, I thought this was going to be one of the simpler jobs, Not !! Brent
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 4
From: Celeste Texas
I just got my new panels and new carpet out to glue them together and they don't match real well either. I am going to have to cut both carpet and panels for them to fit.
When I cut my last panels they fit much better but I still had to trim the carpet a little and leave everything loose until the panels fit, then I tightened it all together. I used a couple of small picks to line up the panel holes. It wasn't real hard but I made up a few new words while I was doing it.
Bill
When I cut my last panels they fit much better but I still had to trim the carpet a little and leave everything loose until the panels fit, then I tightened it all together. I used a couple of small picks to line up the panel holes. It wasn't real hard but I made up a few new words while I was doing it.
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
I thought that it was only me that hated those damn panels. I have cut all sorts of rigid materials to replace that junk panel. I prefer to redo the panels with carbon fiber or sheet aluminum. You can even cover the panels afterwards with carpet if you wish. But I like the look of carbon fiber or polished aluminum there myself. I just can't stand those ill fitting and usually floppy panels. I can say it in one word "JUNK" !
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 2
From: Fleetwood, PA
Sounds like the same problem I had doing the console on my '82. Flushed money down the crapper buying precut ones that were "universal" 78-82. Didn't even come close to fitting. Ended up going to Home Depot and buying some 1/8" masonite and using the carpet as a template.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,475
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
ditto to everything said. i used my original panels to make new ones out of some masonite and it turned out pretty good. my originals were about ready to break in half. one thing to check guys and that is to make sure the console plate especailly towards the back is sitting correctly. mine was sitting too low and i suspect a third passenger sat there at some point in my 79's life.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Brandon Manitoba
I guess I will look more closely at my carpet panels and see if they look like the were made a little more correctly.If so, I wll make a pattern from them and use the custom made set for fire wood. Of all the items that I have purchased for my car this winter (read $7000.00 spent )the side console panels and the so-called leather shift boot will end up in the trash. Brent
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I think most of you know the shark is my favorite car out of the bunch, BUT I have to state the later sharks with the plastic fantastic console plate with the black plastic and breakaway a/c controls, and carpet side panels, and other cheap plastic interior parts too many to mention, is just too much to overcome, and I have worked on a whole bunch of them, all with the same/similar complaints, not that the earlier interior was much if any better, my '72 has a whole bunch of complaints inherent to it also....
but NONE of the sharks match my old '87 vette in the cheap plastic crap department....THAT car took the grand prize....
GENE
but NONE of the sharks match my old '87 vette in the cheap plastic crap department....THAT car took the grand prize....
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
I had this problem too and had almost given up on the replacement side panels (and, for what ever reason, it's a PITA to cut your own to size).
But, what I did is to glue a slightly oversize piece 1/2" thick pressed felt insulation to the console side panel--then trim the felt. Once that was the correct size, I glued the carpet to the felt. Now, I have a nice, tight fit.
But, what I did is to glue a slightly oversize piece 1/2" thick pressed felt insulation to the console side panel--then trim the felt. Once that was the correct size, I glued the carpet to the felt. Now, I have a nice, tight fit.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Aren't those the sorriest excuse for interior trim, I absolutely hated them, they are pretty easy and really cheap to make yourself however I took my originals and layered a bunch of fiberglass on them to keep the top from popping out from under the panel.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Brandon Manitoba
Those pictures from Photovetteone look really good. What is this pressed felt material usually used for, and where did you buy it ? I am going to have to find some alternate way to cover my side panels. Thanx Brent
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
The pressed felt is used for water heater insulation. It is >1/2" thick, dense and covered on one side with heat reflective mylar--perfect for 'vette interiors I thought. Plus, a 48" X 72" roll, that also comes with a roll of aluminum tape, is only $19.95 at Lowes or Home Depot. It took 2 rolls to do the whole interior.
