C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

New guy with a door problem.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 08:51 PM
  #1  
Efraley615's Avatar
Efraley615
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default New guy with a door problem.

Hey everyone, new member to the forum here. I just bought an 87 vette that I'm working on restoring back to it's original glory.

I ran into an issue though that I can't exactly seem to figure out. I had ordered new door panels, and all new parts for the doors (armrests, control plates, etc.). When I was putting the pieces together, it seemed like nothing would fit properly on the panel. The armrests seemed to float a little above the panel, and the control plate had unsightly gaps toward the front. I'm not exactly sure if these door panels are supposed to be cut up to make things fit or not, so if anyone does know, I'd be grateful.
Edit/Delete Message
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 09:16 PM
  #2  
Jamie Lennartson's Avatar
Jamie Lennartson
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 64
From: Roanoke Va
Default

Originally Posted by Efraley615
Hey everyone, new member to the forum here. I just bought an 87 vette that I'm working on restoring back to it's original glory.

I ran into an issue though that I can't exactly seem to figure out. I had ordered new door panels, and all new parts for the doors (armrests, control plates, etc.). When I was putting the pieces together, it seemed like nothing would fit properly on the panel. The armrests seemed to float a little above the panel, and the control plate had unsightly gaps toward the front. I'm not exactly sure if these door panels are supposed to be cut up to make things fit or not, so if anyone does know, I'd be grateful.
Edit/Delete Message
Where did you get them and are they off an 87?
Also are they used?
If used could be just formed to that door. Donno ive had my door panels off alot of times and everything bolts back up very easy.

Last edited by Jamie Lennartson; Apr 20, 2010 at 09:19 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 10:20 PM
  #3  
HlhnEast's Avatar
HlhnEast
Safety Car
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Default

Betcha they are brand new Corvette America panels. Come on let us know, inquiring minds wanna know.

My suggestion, if they are CA, send em back until your happy with their product. A couple of years down the road when they start popping off the door will be too late.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2010 | 12:20 AM
  #4  
Efraley615's Avatar
Efraley615
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

I honestly don't know if they're CA. The guy that sold me the car gave em to me when I bought it. Said he hadn't installed them yet, I think I can see why.

Sorry for the late reply, I was out wrestling with the doors again.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2010 | 01:30 AM
  #5  
Z51JEFF's Avatar
Z51JEFF
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,150
Likes: 937
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Efraley615
Hey everyone, new member to the forum here. I just bought an 87 vette that I'm working on restoring back to it's original glory.

I ran into an issue though that I can't exactly seem to figure out. I had ordered new door panels, and all new parts for the doors (armrests, control plates, etc.). When I was putting the pieces together, it seemed like nothing would fit properly on the panel. The armrests seemed to float a little above the panel, and the control plate had unsightly gaps toward the front. I'm not exactly sure if these door panels are supposed to be cut up to make things fit or not, so if anyone does know, I'd be grateful.
Edit/Delete Message
Let ya in on a little secret,aftermarket stuff if JUNK!I dont know how many companies are making door panels but theres a few.I bought a set years ago that fit really nice my only complaint was the vinyl wasnt exact but they looked good.Think I got them from Corvette Central.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2010 | 08:37 AM
  #6  
HlhnEast's Avatar
HlhnEast
Safety Car
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Default

Originally Posted by Efraley615
I honestly don't know if they're CA. The guy that sold me the car gave em to me when I bought it. Said he hadn't installed them yet, I think I can see why.

Sorry for the late reply, I was out wrestling with the doors again.
If they were CA panels, there would be a quality control? label on the back side. Not that they have any.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2010 | 08:48 AM
  #7  
WW7's Avatar
WW7
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
Default

I bought a new drivers side door panel from Wilcox Corvette last year and it was actuallly better then OEM, the top was made of metel instead of plastic like the GM door, fit and finish was perfect.... Now it makes the one on the passenger side look so bad I have to replace that one.....WW
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2010 | 02:47 PM
  #8  
Efraley615's Avatar
Efraley615
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Default

Not seeing anything about quality control. After looking at some door panel pictures it looks like the covering in a few places needs to be cut out. It looks like most places that sell door panels sell them with these pieces already removed.

Managed to get the control plates in, now the only issue is the armrest leaving a gap at the curve. Thinking maybe it'll fit a little better after it gets worn in or something.

Last question, does anyone have experience with interior dyes? There's a few places that I'd like to touch up in the car, but I've never used anything like that. Do they actually work?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To New guy with a door problem.

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:54 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE