Source for C3 Deluxe Interior Real Wood Veneer Inserts?

[Mark E.]

Does anyone make real wood veneer inserts for C3 deluxe interiors (door panels and shift plate)? All I found after searching the parts houses and eBay are laminates.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Source for C3 Deluxe Interior Real Wood Veneer Inserts?

Nope.

If you look at past threads, there are descriptions of how to make your own with veneer and an x-acto knife, or similar.

[Mark E.]

Re: Source for C3 Deluxe Interior Real Wood Veneer Inserts?

Nuts.

What a great pandemic business idea for an enterprising enthusiast with a keen eye and sharp instrument.

[Owen L.]

Re: Source for C3 Deluxe Interior Real Wood Veneer Inserts?

Nuts.

What a great pandemic business idea for an enterprising enthusiast with a keen eye and sharp instrument.

With the CNC routers, waterjets, and lasers, it seems like it would be easy once programmed in. Very repeatable and color matching by using one sheet of veneer per the three parts would be perfect.

[William G.]

Re: Source for C3 Deluxe Interior Real Wood Veneer Inserts?

Mark, I made a set of real wood inserts for my 70 LT1. They came out very nicely. I have a few rolls of left over veneer that I would be happy to send you if you pay the shipping. I first bought a set of repro inserts with the vinyl simulated wood and used the steel backing plates as templates to cut out the wood veneer with #11 Xacto blades, changing regularly. The center console insert was delicate but the first one I made came out nicely. After cutting, just glue the wood onto the steel template and glue that assembly onto the door panel. Email me if you are interested. Bill Gould

[Mark E.]

Re: Source for C3 Deluxe Interior Real Wood Veneer Inserts?

Thanks for the kind offer, Bill. I'll send you a note.

I'm concerned about cutting the thin space above the fiber optics. Any issues with splintering or breaking? 1972 and newer inserts should be easier.

Did you use veneer with pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing? Or just glue it on yourself?

[Mark E.]

Re: Source for C3 Deluxe Interior Real Wood Veneer Inserts?

I wanted to share an update to this project:

I used roll of white oak veneer acquired from eBay for the door panel inserts. Using the old laminate inserts as a template (see last photos), a new X-Acto knife and a straight edge, I cut the veneer to size then trimmed it to an exact fit using long-board 80-grit sandpaper.

After satisfied with the fit, the wood was stained. I chose a light, satin finish to bring out the grain a bit and create a natural wood look. I don't know if this finish is TFP, but my personal preference was something lighter and more natural looking than the existing dark walnut laminate. I believe the factory used real wood veneer, so my old laminate inserts are probably not original.

After drying, the veneer was attached to the door panel trim pieces using spray adhesive.

I'm keeping the shift console as it is with its black textured surface. I may tackle this in the future but for now I like it as it is. Also, I learned from this Forum that some '70 deluxe interiors didn't have wood trim on the console.

LH Door Insert.jpg


RH Door Panel Insert.jpg




Door Panel LH.jpg



Here's the front and back sides of the old inserts. I first peeled off the RH laminate insert, glued it to cardboard, then cut the cardboard to size. I used this as my first template for the RH veneer. I then discovered the LH insert had a metal back glued to the door panel trim with a black adhesive. The right photo shows the RH insert with the trimmed cardboard I attached, and the LH insert with its metal backing. I would have skipped making the cardboard template had I known the LH had the metal backing.

Old Door Panel Inserts.jpg Back of Door Panel Wood Inserts.jpg

My wife points out it can take years for me to finish a project after I talk about it. This is an example.

A special shout out to Jimmy Patitucci for his advice and Bill Gould who was kind enough to mail examples of veneer used on his car. Thanks guys!

[Jimmy P.]