Repro Door Panels Comparison
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Madison AL
Repro Door Panels Comparison
I just bought some reproduction Corvette America door panels and I'm not impressed with the product. The vinyl doesn't match the originals and the carpet color was also incorrect for my 81 Camel interior. The backing is a plastic shell with no mounting pads at the two screw locations. Also, the upper section has a partial metal reinforcement rather than the curved piece like the original. My understanding is these are the best product available.
Is this true? Has anyone used the Al Knoch door panels and can give a comparison to the originals and the Corvette America panels?
Is this true? Has anyone used the Al Knoch door panels and can give a comparison to the originals and the Corvette America panels?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Widgett)
I have had bad luck with Corvette America trim parts as well. The windshield header and pillar post covers did not fit well at all, and the screw holes were not even drilled out. Also, the console side trim was solid plastic rather than vinyl covered. I haven't had to replace my door panels yet, but I do like my Al Knoch seat upholstery.
AC
AC
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Widgett)
I got mine from ZIP and although not excellent they are pretty good. One thing to remember is that your orig vinyl and carpet fades over time. The panels did not match my orig int but when I redyed, or should I say repainted, the rest it matched pretty well. If you look close you can see about 4 shades of med saddle in my interior but I have had many compliments on how nice it looks for a 30 year old car so what the heck.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,757
Likes: 2,508
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Widgett)
I bought Mid-America seat covers and they looked great. Mid America's are provide by Al Knoch........the box was dropped shipped to my house and had Al Knoch stamped all over it. Ironically they were cheaper to buy from Mid than Al Knoch direct. :chevy
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Madison AL
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Fevre)
In this case the vinyl on my door panels is actually darker than the reproductions. The problem is that the color has a two tone effect. It appears the vinyl is dyed twice. Although it looks nice, it's not exactly the same as the original. The carpet is completely different and not due to sun fade. The gold colored carpet behind the armrest is unfaded and original, the carpet on the door panel is brown. I guess I've become tired of paying good money for something that looks okay rather being correct. :cuss
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Widgett)
I have CA door panels and I completely agree. If you think they are funky now, wait until you try to fit them onto your doors. :cuss It took a lot of work to get them to fight OK. I took out most of my interior and dyed it with Corvette America dye which made all the colors match-up. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: York pa
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Widgett)
I bought door panels from CA back in 88 and they did not fit at all. CA gave me a hassle on taking them back even after calling them several times forhelp in the matter. Bought some GM panels, $$$, went on in fifteen minutes!
Al Knoch I beleive are pretty good.
Trouble is there are not that many compnaies that repoduce them so someone is buying them from someone.
Isn't CA a producer?
Al Knoch I beleive are pretty good.
Trouble is there are not that many compnaies that repoduce them so someone is buying them from someone.
Isn't CA a producer?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (princeRed72)
Yep, CA is THE producer for a whole bunch of the Vette parts distributors. Al Knoch definitely produces their own seat covers though, and I am pretty sure they do the rest of their own parts in house as well.
AC
AC
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 397
Likes: 1
From: CORTLANDT MANOR NY
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (A C)
Just installed Al Knoch door panels purchased at Carlisle last summer. Slightly different backing plactic vs. fiberboard. Fit nice and look great. Very easy install.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Widgett)
I've just ordered a new set for my car from Ecklers. After reading the previous posts, I'm sitting here a little anxious wondering what adventures I might be in store for. Don't ya just love surprises? :D
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Widgett)
I just put a pair on that I got from Wilcox and they fit great (required a little muscle ;) ). I thought the quality seemed good, they had plastic back but it appeared to be pretty heavy duty stuff. The price was right too...only $135 each (for the basic panel).
Instructor
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Mystery Machine)
I just finished redoing my seats and door panels on my "72 vert with Al Knoch products. The door panels fit perfectly-all holes and clips lined up well. Thet are made of a hard black palstic vs. the fiberboard of the original but I believe that is a good improvement. The only minor complaint I have is there is a little wider opening gap between the panel and the door handle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (Mystery Machine)
I just put a pair on that I got from Wilcox and they fit great (required a little muscle ;) ). I thought the quality seemed good, they had plastic back but it appeared to be pretty heavy duty stuff. The price was right too...only $135 each (for the basic panel).
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 172
From: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Re: Repro Door Panels Comparison (sb69coupe)
FYI, Wilcox gets all their stuff from Corvette America
I hate to hear that. I was planning on purchasing some stuff from these guys but I to have had bad experiences with CA products. I have been purchasing from TLD lately and have been very pleased with thier stuff. I wish that they would become a supporting vendor. :cheers:
