1967 Gas Door

[Chuck M.]

Hi,

I just wanted to know if anyone knows of a shop/person that can restore a gas door. I have an original that I would like to use however it needs complete restoration. Thanks for any help.

Chuck

[Joe R.]

Re: 1967 Gas Door

Hi Chuck:

I don't know of anyone that does this to the extent that the result is indistinguishable from an original. The two available options that I am aware of are:

1)Buy a reproduction lid that has some minor differences from the original, or

2)Drill out the six rivets, replate the metal parts, replace the insert, and reassemble with six 4-40 screws.

Either option seems to result in a typical 1-point deduction during flight judging, so there's not much incentive to go further.

As a side project, I have been working on rebuilding a lid for my own car in a way that will replicate the appearance of the factory rivets, but the amount of effort and expense involved is ridiculous in view of the 1-point benefit if I get it right. It's just an interesting problem to try and solve.

That project is not at the top of my list right now, but if you check back with me in a few months I should have some results to report.