Interested also
Hey Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,847
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Nope.. They still don't fit... (shaking my head) 
There is no set promise date either!
My suggestion would be start looking for a good used pair to restore.
There is no set promise date either!
My suggestion would be start looking for a good used pair to restore.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,171
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I really can't imagine that any manufacturer is going to pay for new tooling when the just "so-so" trim panels being made now are selling.
This is an example of someone making a part that's 'close' but not right; and many restorers accepting it since it's the only part available.
Besides the shape of the arch, the way each end is formed, (or not formed), is far from original too.
Ernie,
You mention restoring them... have you seen any that look original? All the restored panels I've seen have the surface too polished compared to the matte finish of the originals.
Again; this is why original panels (with tabs) in GREAT condition are hundreds and hundreds of dollars each.
Regards,
Alan
I really can't imagine that any manufacturer is going to pay for new tooling when the just "so-so" trim panels being made now are selling.
This is an example of someone making a part that's 'close' but not right; and many restorers accepting it since it's the only part available.
Besides the shape of the arch, the way each end is formed, (or not formed), is far from original too.
Ernie,
You mention restoring them... have you seen any that look original? All the restored panels I've seen have the surface too polished compared to the matte finish of the originals.
Again; this is why original panels (with tabs) in GREAT condition are hundreds and hundreds of dollars each.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Hi,
I really can't imagine that any manufacturer is going to pay for new tooling when the just "so-so" trim panels being made now are selling.
This is an example of someone making a part that's 'close' but not right; and many restorers accepting it since it's the only part available.
Besides the shape of the arch, the way each end is formed, (or not formed), is far from original too.
Ernie,
You mention restoring them... have you seen any that look original? All the restored panels I've seen have the surface too polished compared to the matte finish of the originals.
Again; this is why original panels (with tabs) in GREAT condition are hundreds and hundreds of dollars each.
Regards,
Alan
I really can't imagine that any manufacturer is going to pay for new tooling when the just "so-so" trim panels being made now are selling.
This is an example of someone making a part that's 'close' but not right; and many restorers accepting it since it's the only part available.
Besides the shape of the arch, the way each end is formed, (or not formed), is far from original too.
Ernie,
You mention restoring them... have you seen any that look original? All the restored panels I've seen have the surface too polished compared to the matte finish of the originals.
Again; this is why original panels (with tabs) in GREAT condition are hundreds and hundreds of dollars each.
Regards,
Alan
Jack slipped when I was working on the car and tweaked the rocker panel bad. Got a set off of a 79 vette, had the paint removed and polished up. I'm sure a good aluminum polisher can figure it out if they have a decent spot to reference off of.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
If you'd really like, I can get some close up photos at some point. I may even have them on my computer at home.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
If the vendors stop buying them the supply of bad rocker panels will dry up. Im sure there is someone out there with the skills to make accurate reproductions to the exact specifications to the originals.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
exist anymore and no one has the ***** to make it right.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Hi,
I really can't imagine that any manufacturer is going to pay for new tooling when the just "so-so" trim panels being made now are selling.
This is an example of someone making a part that's 'close' but not right; and many restorers accepting it since it's the only part available.
Besides the shape of the arch, the way each end is formed, (or not formed), is far from original too.
Ernie,
You mention restoring them... have you seen any that look original? All the restored panels I've seen have the surface too polished compared to the matte finish of the originals.
Again; this is why original panels (with tabs) in GREAT condition are hundreds and hundreds of dollars each.
Regards,
Alan
I really can't imagine that any manufacturer is going to pay for new tooling when the just "so-so" trim panels being made now are selling.
This is an example of someone making a part that's 'close' but not right; and many restorers accepting it since it's the only part available.
Besides the shape of the arch, the way each end is formed, (or not formed), is far from original too.
Ernie,
You mention restoring them... have you seen any that look original? All the restored panels I've seen have the surface too polished compared to the matte finish of the originals.
Again; this is why original panels (with tabs) in GREAT condition are hundreds and hundreds of dollars each.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,171
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi S LT1,
Are you sure about that "flash chrome" plated?
I don't think they were plated.
I believe the whole idea of the anodizing was to protect the aluminium brite and matte finishes.
Regards,
Alan
Are you sure about that "flash chrome" plated?
I don't think they were plated.
I believe the whole idea of the anodizing was to protect the aluminium brite and matte finishes.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 27, 2012 at 03:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,171
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi O7,
Judging by the stacks of rocker trim panels at many vendors at Carlisle, it'll be years before the supply is used up.
The only marketing ploy I can see would be to charge so much more for the 'new version' that the existig trim seems like a good deal and will continue to sell until the supply runs out.
It's sort of like the 3 outer door handles that are available now. It depends what your goal is as to which one you buy. If you're just putting a car together to sell, the $15 handles are fine.
Regards,
Alan
Judging by the stacks of rocker trim panels at many vendors at Carlisle, it'll be years before the supply is used up.
The only marketing ploy I can see would be to charge so much more for the 'new version' that the existig trim seems like a good deal and will continue to sell until the supply runs out.
It's sort of like the 3 outer door handles that are available now. It depends what your goal is as to which one you buy. If you're just putting a car together to sell, the $15 handles are fine.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,171
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Nick,
They DO look good.
It's that area starting about 6-8" in front of the rear of the door and going rearward that Tom as been asking about.
Regards,
Alan
Car looks TERRIFIC!
They DO look good.
It's that area starting about 6-8" in front of the rear of the door and going rearward that Tom as been asking about.
Regards,
Alan
Car looks TERRIFIC!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,171
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi l68,
The trim panels with the additional tabs are considerably more valuable than the later panels.
I believe the tabs continued at least through model year 72, but I'm unsure how much longer.
I guess it also depends on each person's definition of 'excellent condition'.
So either $, $$, or $$$.
Regards,
Alan
The trim panels with the additional tabs are considerably more valuable than the later panels.
I believe the tabs continued at least through model year 72, but I'm unsure how much longer.
I guess it also depends on each person's definition of 'excellent condition'.
So either $, $$, or $$$.
Regards,
Alan