Help with 1968 door panel window trim
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,402
From: Redacted
Help with 1968 door panel window trim
Ive installed the new door panels on my 1968 and the inner portion of the window trim just arrived...the chrome piece with the felt on the inside that touches the window. My question is, how and what do you attach it to?? The trim piece looks like it has holes in it for screws, but theres nothing for it to screw into. Does it attach directly to the edge of the inner door panel? If so, how does it stay attached?
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,221
Likes: 4,312
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi FN30,
On the repro 71 door panels that I've seen there is a piece of thin aluminium angle along the whole top of the door panel. On original door panels this angle was fiberglass. All original sealing strips and some repro sealing strips are stapled to the angle. Some repro panels have the sealing strip pop-riveted to the angle.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I know the 68 panel looks quite diiferent but perhaps the sealing strip is handled the same.
On the repro 71 door panels that I've seen there is a piece of thin aluminium angle along the whole top of the door panel. On original door panels this angle was fiberglass. All original sealing strips and some repro sealing strips are stapled to the angle. Some repro panels have the sealing strip pop-riveted to the angle.
Regards,
Alan
PS: I know the 68 panel looks quite diiferent but perhaps the sealing strip is handled the same.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Not on 68`s, no one have I found makes a accurate window whisker for 68`s. The whisker attaches to the door. I believe Paragon is the company that I used.
The door panel is installed bare except for the door handle hardware.
The door panel is installed bare except for the door handle hardware.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,402
From: Redacted
the car used to have ugly 2-tone black and white '75 door panels on it. I replaced those with original '68 pieces and as was mentioned above, the inboard piece on the '75 was actually bonded to the door panel. On the '68, its a seperate piece. Even if the piece was attached directly to the edge of the '68 door panel, it would still leave quite a gap. Ill try to post pics later to explain what Im talkin about.
Thanks
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
Ive installed the new door panels on my 1968 and the inner portion of the window trim just arrived...the chrome piece with the felt on the inside that touches the window. My question is, how and what do you attach it to?? The trim piece looks like it has holes in it for screws, but theres nothing for it to screw into. Does it attach directly to the edge of the inner door panel? If so, how does it stay attached?
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
Dave
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 1
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
If I remember correctly the wiskers that rub along the inside of the window are actually attached to the door frame. You will have to take the door panel back off the door, then with the window in the down position you can place the wiskers on the door frame. I am going on memory here and it has been a while since I replaced mine but I think that is the way it is done.
wayne h.
wayne h.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
The 68 door panel uses a 2 piece inner seal, another one year item that to my knowledge isn't reproduced.
The whiskers attach to the rubber seal which attaches to the frame of the door.
I'm holding off installing my new door panels until I find the rubber seal for my passenger door. Here's what the OP is looking at.
The whiskers attach to the rubber seal which attaches to the frame of the door.
I'm holding off installing my new door panels until I find the rubber seal for my passenger door. Here's what the OP is looking at.
Last edited by DZRick; Oct 15, 2008 at 07:54 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,402
From: Redacted
The 68 door panel uses a 2 piece inner seal, another one year item that to my knowledge isn't reproduced.
The whiskers attach to the rubber seal which attaches to the frame of the door.
I'm holding off installing my new door panels until I find the rubber seal for my passenger door. Here's what the OP is looking at.
The whiskers attach to the rubber seal which attaches to the frame of the door.
I'm holding off installing my new door panels until I find the rubber seal for my passenger door. Here's what the OP is looking at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
I guess we can only look for used parts at this point. I bought 2 complete 68's and only have 1!!
I may take mine apart and see if I can make myself something that will look decent. I really want to redo my interior.
If you find any for the passenger side above and beyond what you need please keep me in mind and I'll do the same for you.
Goodluck,
Rick
I may take mine apart and see if I can make myself something that will look decent. I really want to redo my interior.
If you find any for the passenger side above and beyond what you need please keep me in mind and I'll do the same for you.
Goodluck,
Rick
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,402
From: Redacted
I guess we can only look for used parts at this point. I bought 2 complete 68's and only have 1!!
I may take mine apart and see if I can make myself something that will look decent. I really want to redo my interior.
If you find any for the passenger side above and beyond what you need please keep me in mind and I'll do the same for you.
Goodluck,
Rick
I may take mine apart and see if I can make myself something that will look decent. I really want to redo my interior.
If you find any for the passenger side above and beyond what you need please keep me in mind and I'll do the same for you.
Goodluck,
Rick
Rick...I may have just found what we are both looking for...Corvette America in Williamsburg Virginia has "1968 Inner Seal Assemblies" "Includes left and right upper metal supports, left and right door window felts, and left and right rubber door panel seals." The 6 piece set is part #40430 68 and lists for $209.99. I bought seat frames from the guy and he sent me one of their catalogs.
Something else of interest, they also sell a "Door Panel Mounting Kit" which looks like it includes 4 brackets and 8 screws. How do you guys have your door panels mounted to the door?? When I bought my car, the panels on it had screws with caps on them going right through the panel at all 4 corners. It was a B!tch to get the new ones to line up properly and Im wondering now if it was just some jury rigging on the part of the previous owner.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Rick...I may have just found what we are both looking for...Corvette America in Williamsburg Virginia has "1968 Inner Seal Assemblies" "Includes left and right upper metal supports, left and right door window felts, and left and right rubber door panel seals." The 6 piece set is part #40430 68 and lists for $209.99. I bought seat frames from the guy and he sent me one of their catalogs.
Something else of interest, they also sell a "Door Panel Mounting Kit" which looks like it includes 4 brackets and 8 screws. How do you guys have your door panels mounted to the door?? When I bought my car, the panels on it had screws with caps on them going right through the panel at all 4 corners. It was a B!tch to get the new ones to line up properly and Im wondering now if it was just some jury rigging on the part of the previous owner.
Something else of interest, they also sell a "Door Panel Mounting Kit" which looks like it includes 4 brackets and 8 screws. How do you guys have your door panels mounted to the door?? When I bought my car, the panels on it had screws with caps on them going right through the panel at all 4 corners. It was a B!tch to get the new ones to line up properly and Im wondering now if it was just some jury rigging on the part of the previous owner.
I haven't been looking actively lately but it's good to hear someone is reproducing these now. I guess I just ran out of excuses, now I've got to get going on my interior resto.
As far as mounting your panels, buy the kit. There's no doubt that the previous owner jury rigged the ones you've got.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
BTW, can you post links to the stuff you found at Corvette America? I can't seem to find the parts you listed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
I'll dig out my assembly manual this weekend and see if I can post a picture showing how the panel mounts, if not I'll be removing mine soon and can take some pictures then.
BTW, can you post links to the stuff you found at Corvette America? I can't seem to find the parts you listed.
BTW, can you post links to the stuff you found at Corvette America? I can't seem to find the parts you listed.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,402
From: Redacted
yea, sorry bout that...the catalog says corvette america but theres a sticker that says Virginia Vettes on it. The address is 105 Lindrick St. Williamsburg, VA 23188. 757-229-0011 email is sales @virginiavettes.com
Like I said, I bought reconditioned '68 seat frames from them and they had excellent customer service...they actually mislabled them on ebay as 1100 bucks when I guess they were supposed to be labeled as 2100 like their other reconditioned seat frames. Because it was their error, he actually sold them for me as they were listed. Anyway, if you end up ordering that trim kit, let me know how it works out for you. Mines going into storage this weekend because Im headed back to the desert next month, but once I get home this summer Im finnishing the interior resto and contemplating a ZZ427 crate motor.....
Like I said, I bought reconditioned '68 seat frames from them and they had excellent customer service...they actually mislabled them on ebay as 1100 bucks when I guess they were supposed to be labeled as 2100 like their other reconditioned seat frames. Because it was their error, he actually sold them for me as they were listed. Anyway, if you end up ordering that trim kit, let me know how it works out for you. Mines going into storage this weekend because Im headed back to the desert next month, but once I get home this summer Im finnishing the interior resto and contemplating a ZZ427 crate motor.....
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Fly Navys second above picture is accurate for a 68. The inside whisker attaches to the metal door frame with screws and is adjustable in and out for the window.
The window side has the whisker and then the door panel slips under a rubber strip the full length of the panel .
There are 2 metal clips that are inserted into the back of the panel at the corners and screw into the edge of the door near the weather strip. Two screws at the top corners are the only ones that are actually go through the door fabric. The rest is help by matching the push together locking strips. ... you`l need some..
The window side has the whisker and then the door panel slips under a rubber strip the full length of the panel .
There are 2 metal clips that are inserted into the back of the panel at the corners and screw into the edge of the door near the weather strip. Two screws at the top corners are the only ones that are actually go through the door fabric. The rest is help by matching the push together locking strips. ...
you`l need some..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Here are the pictures from the 68 AIM I promised.
You'll see the 2 clips on the top of the panel numbered 9 & 10 plus the 2 on the bottom both numbered 11.
Then there are 7 velcro type fasteners numbered 6 & 7 in these pictures.
I might not need to buy that kit depending on the condition of my original parts but if I do I'll let you know.
You'll see the 2 clips on the top of the panel numbered 9 & 10 plus the 2 on the bottom both numbered 11.
Then there are 7 velcro type fasteners numbered 6 & 7 in these pictures.
I might not need to buy that kit depending on the condition of my original parts but if I do I'll let you know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Blue68 & Irincross are correct
The inner whiskers attach to the door panel with screws.
The chrome is on the outside whiskers, not the inside. You will have to remove your inner door panels to correctly attach the inner whiskers to the metal door frame.
I have had my 68 since 1972 and when I did my restoration, that is how they were attached.
You might try Paragon or Dr. Rebuild for the correct ones.
I can't remember where I got mine since my restoration project took 10 years to complete.
Kurt
The inner whiskers attach to the door panel with screws.
The chrome is on the outside whiskers, not the inside. You will have to remove your inner door panels to correctly attach the inner whiskers to the metal door frame.
I have had my 68 since 1972 and when I did my restoration, that is how they were attached.
You might try Paragon or Dr. Rebuild for the correct ones.
I can't remember where I got mine since my restoration project took 10 years to complete.
Kurt