midyear (C2) (67) convertible door panels

[Mike E.]

Looking for recommendations from guys who have been there: What is the best option for door panels? My originals (saddle) are cracked in several areas. I understand the thickness and fit of the reproductions are questionable. Or are there multiple reproductions? Ever find anyone who could do a good job of repairing vinyl--so good that they would be better than repros?
Thanks for your input.

[Gary B.]

Midyear (C2) (67) convertible door panels

Mike,

I've been told that Al Knoch is the best source for an excelltent repro door panels.

I've also been told that Just Dashes (www.justdashes.com) will restore door panels, but I think the cost approaches the cost of the new repros. I haven't decided if I will have my original '66 panels restored or buy ones from Al Knoch. I'd like to hear from someone who has gone the restoration route with Just Dashes and hear how theirs turned out.

Gary

[Jim L.]

Re: Midyear (C2) (67) convertible door panels

Hi Gary & Mike

I recently restored the door panels on my 66 Roadster. The car is Mossport Green with Dark Green Interior. The arm rest had one to two splits in the vinyl where your elbow rests and the lower tracks were coming off. There were also two places where the curve of the arm rest had a blister in the radius. I had a vinyl repair guru that I located through a local Chev dealer come to my home and do the repairs off the car. H e also repaired some spots on the dash and repaired a break in the plastic seat back panels. I purchased two different color dark green vinyl spray cans from two different corvette suppliers and one was a perfect match. All the repairs he made were excellent and I painted over the spots very lightly on the panels. The seat backs I repainted completely. Everything, even though not perfect looks just great and everything is still original. I understand that repro panels look really good however they are very "Hard" to the touch and are judged down. How much I do not know. I also wiped down the vinyl interior with "303 aerospace prtectant" this product does not have any silicone in it and after a couple days does not show like silicone based products. This can be purchsed at camper world. If I can be of ant further assistance feel free to call. Hope this helps.

Jim Lucia

503-590-5158

503-341-1867 cell

[Gary B.]

Repros too hard to the touch

Jim,

I've heard the same thing about Al Knoch repros, i.e., they are too hard to the finger or finger-nail indentation test and the judges can tell this.

Gary