Custom door panels
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
There was a guy, maybe Kid Vette or Lite Vette, that used sheet metal with holes cut into it. Total racer style, minimalistic and light weight. I don't have the picture handy, but do a search for archive threads for either of those guys and you might find it. I think he posted them in a thread about custom interiors way back when.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
There was a guy, maybe Kid Vette or Lite Vette, that used sheet metal with holes cut into it. Total racer style, minimalistic and light weight. I don't have the picture handy, but do a search for archive threads for either of those guys and you might find it. I think he posted them in a thread about custom interiors way back when.
I hate to say it, and I'm sure DB will agree that if you do find the thread the pics have probably been removed! The one thing that I think should be changed in this forum! Text without pics are very frusterating and not very informative!!!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
I found litevette's old car on ebay...he sold it to a guy on the pro-touring forum.
I saw one of the old racecars at Carlisle this year with plain metal door panels, painted blakc, look good..just wondered what they did with the inner door handle.
Nick
I saw one of the old racecars at Carlisle this year with plain metal door panels, painted blakc, look good..just wondered what they did with the inner door handle.
Nick
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Try this...
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...2&dept_id=1665
It's very light, very basic, goes streight onto your door...come in any color and it's not that expensive.
I have them to cover my gutted doors, no windows, no handle (open on the external handle), no any accessory on it.
Looks good.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...2&dept_id=1665
It's very light, very basic, goes streight onto your door...come in any color and it's not that expensive.
I have them to cover my gutted doors, no windows, no handle (open on the external handle), no any accessory on it.
Looks good.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Covering the flat part of the door would be very easy. It's what to do with the top edge as it rolls over into the door glass.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Try this...
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...2&dept_id=1665
It's very light, very basic, goes streight onto your door...come in any color and it's not that expensive.
I have them to cover my gutted doors, no windows, no handle (open on the external handle), no any accessory on it.
Looks good.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...2&dept_id=1665
It's very light, very basic, goes streight onto your door...come in any color and it's not that expensive.
I have them to cover my gutted doors, no windows, no handle (open on the external handle), no any accessory on it.
Looks good.
The ABS-backed door panels are nowhere near as heavy as the chipboard originals.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
I think the easiest way would be to strip the current panels and rebuild using foam, fiberglass and/or wood. That way you don't have to replicate the curves.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
I'm not ready to do mine yet but I was going to make them out of aluminum (retro looking). Then, I ran across a couple articles in Kit Plane Magazine about making super ultra light weight parts using composites and vacuum bagging techniques. The strength is in the fiber, not the gel. So, you use a vacuum pump to suck out the excess gel and you end up with a thin as you want (depends on the type and thickness of the cloth that you select) part that is lightweight and super strong. And, the composite parts could have compound curves with no sharp edges unlike a welded up aluminum panel which would give you a modern look.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I'm not ready to do mine yet but I was going to make them out of aluminum (retro looking). Then, I ran across a couple articles in Kit Plane Magazine about making super ultra light weight parts using composites and vacuum bagging techniques. The strength is in the fiber, not the gel. So, you use a vacuum pump to suck out the excess gel and you end up with a thin as you want (depends on the type and thickness of the cloth that you select) part that is lightweight and super strong. And, the composite parts could have compound curves with no sharp edges unlike a welded up aluminum panel which would give you a modern look.
I'll expect a full write up including a shopping list, locations, pictures, and step by step itemizations.
