Interior door panels for a 72
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: brandon florida
Interior door panels for a 72
I replaced the originals with aftermarket about 12 years ago as the pressed board panels had disintegrated. 
Well now the plastic back of the aftermarket panels have begun to crack, the panels never really fit the doors as snug as well as originals either.
Before I purchase another aftermarket pair, has anyone made or had built a custom set of door panels? I currently have deluxe panels and would be very interested in hearing from anyone that has had a custom set built/made. 
Would also be interested in hearing from anyone that has recently purchased aftermarket panels, such as who you purchased them from, how the installation went, and how they fit.
Well now the plastic back of the aftermarket panels have begun to crack, the panels never really fit the doors as snug as well as originals either.
Before I purchase another aftermarket pair, has anyone made or had built a custom set of door panels? I currently have deluxe panels and would be very interested in hearing from anyone that has had a custom set built/made. Would also be interested in hearing from anyone that has recently purchased aftermarket panels, such as who you purchased them from, how the installation went, and how they fit.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
The last set I installed on I got form Corvette America...and they fit just fine. They do take some time to get fitted well and set correctly in place. They are not just going to fall onto the car and be perfect. For me it is making sure they go all the way down at the top and are not hanging up to high where I can see that they are higher than the outer window sealing strip/trim and door edge where your arm would lay on if the window were down.
Then the NEXT trick is making it so the door panel can be fastened with the screws at the top and NOT damaging the vinyl and pulling through the door panel over time. I do not like the 'pucker in' effect at these two top screws.
DUB
Then the NEXT trick is making it so the door panel can be fastened with the screws at the top and NOT damaging the vinyl and pulling through the door panel over time. I do not like the 'pucker in' effect at these two top screws.
DUB
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
I replaced the originals with aftermarket about 12 years ago as the pressed board panels had disintegrated.
Well now the plastic back of the aftermarket panels have begun to crack, the panels never really fit the doors as snug as well as originals either. Before I purchase another aftermarket pair, has anyone made or had built a custom set of door panels? I currently have deluxe panels and would be very interested in hearing from anyone that has had a custom set built/made. Would also be interested in hearing from anyone that has recently purchased aftermarket panels, such as who you purchased them from, how the installation went, and how they fit.
Well now the plastic back of the aftermarket panels have begun to crack, the panels never really fit the doors as snug as well as originals either.
Before I purchase another aftermarket pair, has anyone made or had built a custom set of door panels? I currently have deluxe panels and would be very interested in hearing from anyone that has had a custom set built/made. Would also be interested in hearing from anyone that has recently purchased aftermarket panels, such as who you purchased them from, how the installation went, and how they fit.r
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
and those original molds are why my al knoch panels I bought in 80s fit like garbage and are too thick??? my opinion is he makes top notch seat stuff but wouldn't buy door panels from him and just a note he refused to make right the panels I bought from him.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: brandon florida
The last set I installed on I got form Corvette America...and they fit just fine. They do take some time to get fitted well and set correctly in place. They are not just going to fall onto the car and be perfect. For me it is making sure they go all the way down at the top and are not hanging up to high where I can see that they are higher than the outer window sealing strip/trim and door edge where your arm would lay on if the window were down.
Then the NEXT trick is making it so the door panel can be fastened with the screws at the top and NOT damaging the vinyl and pulling through the door panel over time. I do not like the 'pucker in' effect at these two top screws.
DUB
Then the NEXT trick is making it so the door panel can be fastened with the screws at the top and NOT damaging the vinyl and pulling through the door panel over time. I do not like the 'pucker in' effect at these two top screws.
DUB
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Okay good to know so who makes good original panels.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
I got mine from there as well. I understand they will not be a perfect fit but the major problem was they were bowed at the bottom so they never really secured with the plastic velcro tabs. I tried heating up the plastic panel to straighten, tried clamps, and neither worked. Also struggled with the two screw holes as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 72V & r,
My comments are based on 1970+ AK panels. I've never looked in detail at his 68 and 69 panels so don't know how accurate (original) they are.
It depends what you mean by "original".
As far as I know AK is the only source of the pressed board backing in a newly made panel, everyone else uses black ABS.
The 'skins' that AK applies to his pressed board panels are the same as used on his 'regular' panels and so are close but easily detectable as being a bit different than the originals. There is a problem with the appearance of the 'inlay' area of the panel whether the panel is for a standard interior or the deluxe interior.
I find even my original door panels are difficult to install properly…. having the upper flange of the panel top clipped over the tabs in the door frame and the bottom tight enough that the velcro type fasteners can grab and hold the panels is tough to achieve.
At this point I think door panels fall into the same pit as 1970+ rocker trim…. there is no accurate looking and properly fitting reproduction part.
Regards,
Alan
My comments are based on 1970+ AK panels. I've never looked in detail at his 68 and 69 panels so don't know how accurate (original) they are.
It depends what you mean by "original".
As far as I know AK is the only source of the pressed board backing in a newly made panel, everyone else uses black ABS.
The 'skins' that AK applies to his pressed board panels are the same as used on his 'regular' panels and so are close but easily detectable as being a bit different than the originals. There is a problem with the appearance of the 'inlay' area of the panel whether the panel is for a standard interior or the deluxe interior.
I find even my original door panels are difficult to install properly…. having the upper flange of the panel top clipped over the tabs in the door frame and the bottom tight enough that the velcro type fasteners can grab and hold the panels is tough to achieve.
At this point I think door panels fall into the same pit as 1970+ rocker trim…. there is no accurate looking and properly fitting reproduction part.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 15, 2015 at 07:46 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Hi 72V & r,
My comments are based on 1970+ AK panels. I've never looked in detail at his 68 and 69 panels so don't know how accurate (original) they are.
It depends what you mean by "original".
As far as I know AK is the only source of the pressed board backing in a newly made panel, everyone else uses black ABS.
The 'skins' that AK applies to his pressed board panels are the same as used on his 'regular' panels and so are close but easily detectable as being a bit different than the originals. There is a problem with the appearance of the 'inlay' area of the panel whether the panel is for a standard interior or the deluxe interior.
I find even my original door panels are difficult to install properly…. having the upper flange of the panel top clipped over the tabs in the door frame and the bottom tight enough that the velcro type fasteners can grab and hold the panels is tough to achieve.
At this point I think door panels fall into the same pit as 1970+ rocker trim…. there is no accurate looking and properly fitting reproduction part.
Regards,
Alan
My comments are based on 1970+ AK panels. I've never looked in detail at his 68 and 69 panels so don't know how accurate (original) they are.
It depends what you mean by "original".
As far as I know AK is the only source of the pressed board backing in a newly made panel, everyone else uses black ABS.
The 'skins' that AK applies to his pressed board panels are the same as used on his 'regular' panels and so are close but easily detectable as being a bit different than the originals. There is a problem with the appearance of the 'inlay' area of the panel whether the panel is for a standard interior or the deluxe interior.
I find even my original door panels are difficult to install properly…. having the upper flange of the panel top clipped over the tabs in the door frame and the bottom tight enough that the velcro type fasteners can grab and hold the panels is tough to achieve.
At this point I think door panels fall into the same pit as 1970+ rocker trim…. there is no accurate looking and properly fitting reproduction part.
Regards,
Alan
r
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I carry both panels, have very few issues out of either one...
CA re-tooled the panels a few years back and they seem to fit just as good as AK panels.
AK panels are now available with the fiberboard backing but it's 300.00 more per set to do this and honestly, I'd rather have the ABS backing (it will last longer than fiberboard).
On our site, retail side panels are Ca, and the forum special section panels are now AK.
Willcox
CA re-tooled the panels a few years back and they seem to fit just as good as AK panels.
AK panels are now available with the fiberboard backing but it's 300.00 more per set to do this and honestly, I'd rather have the ABS backing (it will last longer than fiberboard).
On our site, retail side panels are Ca, and the forum special section panels are now AK.
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi W,
I've not seen the AK pressed-board backed panels.
Have you?
If you have, disregarding the longevity issue, what do you think of them?
I'm afraid for me the ABS backed panel just isn't an option.
Thanks!
Regards,
Alan
I've not seen the AK pressed-board backed panels.
Have you?
If you have, disregarding the longevity issue, what do you think of them?
I'm afraid for me the ABS backed panel just isn't an option.
Thanks!
Regards,
Alan
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Alan- It is something we just added to the website... to be honest, I've never seen them but I talked with Al last week about them and he say's they are on the money. I have the link on the site, but I'm just a little apprehensive to turn it on until I do see one.
E
E
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I purchased my door panels from Willcox (CA box) in October 2012 and they fit very well.
I did not install the top front and rear screws for the reason Dub mentioned and they are still flush all the way around.
I did not install the top front and rear screws for the reason Dub mentioned and they are still flush all the way around.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,289
Likes: 4,380
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi E,
I feel pretty confident about the backing, it's the imprint detail in the skin used that concerns me!
I hear about these panels but haven't seen one that was identified as one.
Regards,
Alan
I feel pretty confident about the backing, it's the imprint detail in the skin used that concerns me!
I hear about these panels but haven't seen one that was identified as one.
Regards,
Alan
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
FWIW, I also used Corvette America replacement door panels (the black ABS type) when I restored my car, and they fit just fine. I have no explanation why some fit and others don't!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: brandon florida
Hi 72V & r,
My comments are based on 1970+ AK panels. I've never looked in detail at his 68 and 69 panels so don't know how accurate (original) they are.
It depends what you mean by "original".
As far as I know AK is the only source of the pressed board backing in a newly made panel, everyone else uses black ABS.
The 'skins' that AK applies to his pressed board panels are the same as used on his 'regular' panels and so are close but easily detectable as being a bit different than the originals. There is a problem with the appearance of the 'inlay' area of the panel whether the panel is for a standard interior or the deluxe interior.
I find even my original door panels are difficult to install properly…. having the upper flange of the panel top clipped over the tabs in the door frame and the bottom tight enough that the velcro type fasteners can grab and hold the panels is tough to achieve.
At this point I think door panels fall into the same pit as 1970+ rocker trim…. there is no accurate looking and properly fitting reproduction part.
Regards,
Alan
My comments are based on 1970+ AK panels. I've never looked in detail at his 68 and 69 panels so don't know how accurate (original) they are.
It depends what you mean by "original".
As far as I know AK is the only source of the pressed board backing in a newly made panel, everyone else uses black ABS.
The 'skins' that AK applies to his pressed board panels are the same as used on his 'regular' panels and so are close but easily detectable as being a bit different than the originals. There is a problem with the appearance of the 'inlay' area of the panel whether the panel is for a standard interior or the deluxe interior.
I find even my original door panels are difficult to install properly…. having the upper flange of the panel top clipped over the tabs in the door frame and the bottom tight enough that the velcro type fasteners can grab and hold the panels is tough to achieve.
At this point I think door panels fall into the same pit as 1970+ rocker trim…. there is no accurate looking and properly fitting reproduction part.
Regards,
Alan
I'm thinking I might take my current panels and form sheet metal backing versus the press board or ABS Plastic and either buy the delux trim or re-use from current panels. Won't be original but I believe I can get them to fit better without the screw holes at the top of front and rear plus will be able to get bottom tabs to line up.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I've not had any issue installing either panel from both vendors. Mid year panels would be a different story though..
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I'm thinking I might take my current panels and form sheet metal backing versus the press board or ABS Plastic and either buy the delux trim or re-use from current panels. Won't be original but I believe I can get them to fit better without the screw holes at the top of front and rear plus will be able to get bottom tabs to line up.
Then I install the special clips and install the screws and get the bottom fasteners at the front and back of the door secure...THAT'S IT!
Once the the interior has gotten hot enough the door panel begins to flatten out and I do not worry about the Velcro...because the door panel is tight to the door frame and I feel it is pointless and they are not doing anything at all anyway.
Obviously...if you wan tot make your own door panels....you can and I hope they come out to your satisfaction.
DUB