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I have a 76 L-82 with white deluxe door panels. The passenger side has a 10 inch crack running left to right. Here is where I am torn. There is a copany called duramend that will repair the crack for around $175.00. Is this repair a waste of money because it will not match correctly, or will it crack someplace else? If I go with replacement panels,which replacement panels are NCRS approved and the best? Can I reuse the deluxe woodgrain trim and the carpet trim on the original panels? Some one told me it is a difficult task to move all the trim pieces to the new panels. Can some one share their experience with me? Thanks in advance! If someone has a pax side panel for sale please let me know!
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
There's several manufacturers of door panels for later C3s- check the archives. None are perfect reproductions but very few repo parts are. Unless you're going for flight judging and this is the only part that's not original and perfect, I wouldn't worry. Corvette America and Al Knoch are two well known vendors.
I doubt your present door panel is worth saving. If it's cracked in one spot it's probably ready to crack somewhere else. For $175, I'd go for a new panel.
The hardware is very easy to transfer to a new panel. A few screws and clips and that's it. -
Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
There's several manufacturers of door panels for later C3s- check the archives. None are perfect reproductions but very few repo parts are. Unless you're going for flight judging and this is the only part that's not original and perfect, I wouldn't worry. Corvette America and Al Knoch are two well known vendors.
I doubt your present door panel is worth saving. If it's cracked in one spot it's probably ready to crack somewhere else. For $175, I'd go for a new panel.
The hardware is very easy to transfer to a new panel. A few screws and clips and that's it.Comment
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
I have not checked the prices lately but Al used to sell a complete deluxe door panel for about $175.00 ready to install. $175 sounds a little high for a repairDick WhittingtonComment
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
I have not checked the prices lately but Al used to sell a complete deluxe door panel for about $175.00 ready to install. $175 sounds a little high for a repairDick WhittingtonComment
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
Dick
You are showing your age! The deluxe panels for a 70-76 are selling these days around 375.00
Bob BeckComment
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
Dick
You are showing your age! The deluxe panels for a 70-76 are selling these days around 375.00
Bob BeckComment
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
Christopher-----
As far as originality goes, the repair, if it's done properly, is probably the best way to go. I'd simply get it straight UP FRONT with "Duramend" that if you're not satisfied with the repair, you don't want to pay for it as you'll then scrap the panel and purchase a repro. In that case, be prepared to let them keep the panel as they likely won't return it if you're unsatisfied and don't want to pay for it. But, if you're going to replace it, anyway, who cares? It just saves you the problem of disposing of it.
One other VERY important thing to keep in mind, though: if this panel is cracked, what is the condition of the vinyl on the rest of the panel? If it's brittle and about to crack in other areas, a repair is just a very temporary solution as more cracks in other areas will soon form. You need to be satisfied that the rest of the panel is very sound before going ahead with a repair makes any sense, at all.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
Christopher-----
As far as originality goes, the repair, if it's done properly, is probably the best way to go. I'd simply get it straight UP FRONT with "Duramend" that if you're not satisfied with the repair, you don't want to pay for it as you'll then scrap the panel and purchase a repro. In that case, be prepared to let them keep the panel as they likely won't return it if you're unsatisfied and don't want to pay for it. But, if you're going to replace it, anyway, who cares? It just saves you the problem of disposing of it.
One other VERY important thing to keep in mind, though: if this panel is cracked, what is the condition of the vinyl on the rest of the panel? If it's brittle and about to crack in other areas, a repair is just a very temporary solution as more cracks in other areas will soon form. You need to be satisfied that the rest of the panel is very sound before going ahead with a repair makes any sense, at all.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
Must be showing, but the only thing older than me around is dirt and Mike McCagh.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: 1976 Deluxe Door Panel Question
Must be showing, but the only thing older than me around is dirt and Mike McCagh.Dick WhittingtonComment
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