C-3 Door Panels

[Robert M.]

Hello everyone.
My 1970 is in need of some new door panels. This car will never be a flight prospect, just to let you know. I would like to get the repo door panels. My question to you who know, who makes the best looking, best fitting repo door panels for a 1970?

Thank you,
Bob

[Dick W.]

Re: C-3 Door Panels

I think that you will find the general concensus here would be Al Knoch panels. They look and fit good..

[Robert M.]

Re: C-3 Door Panels

Thank you Mr. Whittington

[Harmon C.]

Re: C-3 Door Panels

Bob

All the panels fit sometimes and require moving the lock most of the time.
I think the doors must be different on one car to the next or the new panels are not all the same. With AK panels it can take from one to eight hours to get them to fit and so the lock can be turned with the key. Other brands are not much different for fit as none I have used fit easy on both doors.

Lyle

[Kent K.]

Re: C-3 Door Panels

What color interior and is it vinyl or leather?
Kent #6201

[Jack H.]

Add On

I've got Al Knoch panels on my '71 and wished I hadn't bought them... They're ROCK HARD compared to soft/supple originals and your elbow starts to hurt on long trips...

The repro panels made by Corvette America compare better to factory originals in terms of softness. Plus, if it's for a driver application, you can save substantially by shopping their NQP (not quite perfect) inventory where you're getting a factory second that might have a cosmetic blemish 'somewhere'. These panels aren't 'junk' and the ones I've seen you have to look VERY closely at to find the cosmetic defect.

Next comment. You can buy basic or deluxe panels. The come on with 'basic' panels is they have no trim pieces on them and you're told to simply remove the original trim components on your originals and install on the new panels. HAH! There are no pre-drilled holes to mount the trim components and you can expect to break a few of the crimp-over hold down tabs in the process... Save yourself a headache and buy the deluxe panels!

Last comment. NOBODY makes reproduction panels that are 100% correct. They'll all have vacuum formed plastic backing vs. original formed cardboard. Some will have rivets vs. original staples holding the upper rubber. And, I've yet to see ANYONE duplicate the factory original accent stitching properly (color of thread + stitch pattern).

[Robert M.]

Re: C-3 Door Panels

Kent,
I have the Delux Black leather interior.

[Dick W.]

Re: Add On

Jack, you must have seen some CA panels that we have not seen. Don't fit, grain is incorrect, colors are off.

[Chuck S.]

Many moons ago...

I bought the best matching door panels from Eckler's (GOLD Certified!)...heavy material, accurate color and grain, and nice accent stiching. They are built on ABS backing material, but I consider that an advantage rather than a disadvantage. But, "evolution" of repro Corvette interiors flows like a river, and lots of water has gone under the bridge since then.