Al Knoch Door Panels

[Roger G.]

I bought a complete interior kit from Al Knoch back in the early 90's but didn't try to fit the door panels until last summer. They don't seem to fit. The problem is the hole for the lock shaft appears to be high, doesn't quite line up. High by maybe 1/4".

Has anybody had a similar issue with door panels of this vintage from Al Knoch. I'm wondering/hoping there may be something I'm overlooking. It seems the panel either isn't seating on top of the door completely or they are defective, dimensions wrong... I looked at both ends on the top of the door, the panel appeared to be bottomed out to the door...

When I compared to the originals I noted the top contour of the Al Knoch panels were shallow by about 1/2" in the center. The Al Knoch panels are a bit flatter than the originals. I don't know if this is the problem. I may attempt to measure from the center of the lock hole on the original panel to the top of the panel, compare to the originals, once I get the car out of storage.

Has anybody had a similar experience, hopefully with a solution?

These are deluxe panels.

[Pete B.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Oh Yea!

I had the same problem on my 71. Confirm that the top edge that "hooks" the panel is not bent, preventing the panel from seating. Mine was replaced no problem, but that was only after a 6 mo period of time.

PS the right side was the offender, the left on was perfect, Dale Knoch said there was a problem on some.
Keep in mind though, that was this year, not 10+ years ago.
Hope it helps.

[Roger G.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Oh Yea!

I had the same problem on my 71. Confirm that the top edge that "hooks" the panel is not bent, preventing the panel from seating. Mine was replaced no problem, but that was only after a 6 mo period of time.

PS the right side was the offender, the left on was perfect, Dale Knoch said there was a problem on some.
Keep in mind though, that was this year, not 10+ years ago.
Hope it helps.

I've looked at the top edge. I even bent it out a bit to be sure it seats.

It's a bit disappointing to hear of this problem this year. If this is indeed a defective panel I had hoped it was an issue they fixed years ago.

I contacted Al Knoch upon discovering the problem. They asked for photos, then after a week or two told me too much time had passed. No suggestions on how I may get it to fit. No offer of a replacement. I thought it may be a long shot to get a free replacement 16 years later... They more or less left me on my own... I'd be quite reluctant to buy anything more from them. Learned a lesson, better check all parts upon receiving to verify they aren't defective, including fit.

The right side is the one I noticed first. I briefly tried the left, seemed to have the same problem.

[Michael F.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

been their and done that on 67, same end result as yours. but somewhat understand after a long period of time, but still think they should replace bad one as it didn't get bad by sitting in box for years. If anything just for customer satisfaction and future recommendations.

[Jack H.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I had to use a 'bigger hammer' to get my Knoch panels installed and, looking back, sure regret having bought them. Why?

Well, they're ROCK HARD compared to factory original panels and I've racked up almost 70K miles on the car since frame off. Going on a National Road Tour, it gets to you...you're arm/elbow against the rock hard door panel.

Personally, the next time I replace the door panels, I'll go with Corvette America. I've seen how nicely they install and how soft they are compared to what amigo Al makes...

[Mike E.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

Oh Yea!

I had the same problem on my 71. Confirm that the top edge that "hooks" the panel is not bent, preventing the panel from seating. Mine was replaced no problem, but that was only after a 6 mo period of time.

PS the right side was the offender, the left on was perfect, Dale Knoch said there was a problem on some.
Keep in mind though, that was this year, not 10+ years ago.
Hope it helps.

I'm not sure who Dale Knoch is. There's a Dale Robertson who works for Al Knoch and does much of Al's research and customer service.

[Roger G.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I don't know the vintage of the car you're referring to. Were the panels molded out of hard vinyl? Something like I've seen around to consoles? I've seen some replacement, aftermarket C3 consoles which made from hard vinyl, no padding. The panels I have do have padding. They seem to be poorly made, dimensions off from where the panel rests on the door to the location of the hole for the lock shaft. That's really the only issue I have with them.

You answered my next question, if not Al Knoch, then who makes decent replacement door panel? Corvette America is better quality than Al Knoch?

[Roger G.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

been their and done that on 67, same end result as yours. but somewhat understand after a long period of time, but still think they should replace bad one as it didn't get bad by sitting in box for years. If anything just for customer satisfaction and future recommendations.

That was my thought as well. They didn't go bad from age. It seems they don't really care much about customer relations. They got their money.

The fact they asked for photos, then responded a few weeks later telling me there's nothing they will do since it's been a long time since I bought them, tells me they implicity acknowledge there's a problem but are unwilling to offer any deal to fix this. Not even meeting me in the middle with an offer to exchange for 1/2 price... If I can't find a way to get them to fit I'll probably strip off the trim parts and toss the panels. Certainly look at ALL other vendors before I'd consder Al Knoch again.

[Jack H.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

My car is a '71.

Original door panels were vinyl + foam covering fiberboard backs. NOBODY makes 'em that way anymore. The originals were notorious for cracking along contour lines given time/age.

Reproductions are constructed with plastic vs. fiberboard backs and that's GOOD for rejecting exterior moisture. The rest is what I said, put your arm/elbow on the door panel for an appreciable period of time and you'll start to develop a sore spot due to the difference in durometer.

Go squeeze a Corvette America door panel and compare what you feel to that of Al Knoch's panel. I think you'll understand...

As to authenticity, I know of NOBODY who makes a reproduction door panel that's 100% spot on to factory original panels. Typically, there's a MINOR (yet discernable) difference in vinyl texture, accent stitching, and/or trim mounting.

Expect to have 'fun' if you buy somebody's 'basic' panels where you move your original trim components over onto their panels!!!

[Roger G.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

My car is a '71.

Original door panels were vinyl + foam covering fiberboard backs. NOBODY makes 'em that way anymore. The originals were notorious for cracking along contour lines given time/age.

Reproductions are constructed with plastic vs. fiberboard backs and that's GOOD for rejecting exterior moisture. The rest is what I said, put your arm/elbow on the door panel for an appreciable period of time and you'll start to develop a sore spot due to the difference in durometer.

Go squeeze a Corvette America door panel and compare what you feel to that of Al Knoch's panel. I think you'll understand...

As to authenticity, I know of NOBODY who makes a reproduction door panel that's 100% spot on to factory original panels. Typically, there's a MINOR (yet discernable) difference in vinyl texture, accent stitching, and/or trim mounting.

Expect to have 'fun' if you buy somebody's 'basic' panels where you move your original trim components over onto their panels!!!

I'll compare my originals to the Al Knoch panels when I get the car back from storage.

Are you referring to the top surface of the panel, near the window? I recall there being a stamped plate there. This appeared to be the problem with my Al Knoch panels, stamped shallow. I put a straight edge across the Al Knoch panel and my original to compare the depth. No illusion, the Al Knoch panels are shallower. I don't recall whether my originals were padded there or not.

So far as transferring the trim parts. I hear ya. Just looking for a way to salvage what I can from a bad situation.

I did hear of somebody making panels with fiberboard backing, not plastic. I'd need to search threads on another forum to find out who that was. Could be Al Knoch.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep all of this in mind when the time comes to revisit the door panels. For now I live with the originals, warped as they are.

Seems to be a growing problem as these cars age, finding quality parts.

[Norris W.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I bought a set of Al Knock door panels for one of my '69's n the 80's and the grain texture went away in places aound sharp bends. They cheerfully took them back. Somene suggested at the time that I try John's Corvette, or John's Interiors (or John's something or other) and I bought a set and thought the quality was excellent. I still have them on one of the gold cars and an NOS GM set on the other. Both have withstood NCRS and Bloomington judging with no deductions (but that was then) I don't know if John's is still around, but his 69 panels seemed to be the best thing going at the tme.

[James B.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I'll compare my originals to the Al Knoch panels when I get the car back from storage.

Are you referring to the top surface of the panel, near the window? I recall there being a stamped plate there. This appeared to be the problem with my Al Knoch panels, stamped shallow. I put a straight edge across the Al Knoch panel and my original to compare the depth. No illusion, the Al Knoch panels are shallower. I don't recall whether my originals were padded there or not.

So far as transferring the trim parts. I hear ya. Just looking for a way to salvage what I can from a bad situation.

I did hear of somebody making panels with fiberboard backing, not plastic. I'd need to search threads on another forum to find out who that was. Could be Al Knoch.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep all of this in mind when the time comes to revisit the door panels. For now I live with the originals, warped as they are.

Seems to be a growing problem as these cars age, finding quality parts.

I too had heard that Al Knoch was reproducing door panels with fiberboard backing (on special request).

[Gene M.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I've used Corvette America door panels and they fit real nice and were priced better than the place in Texas.

In fact the Corvette America seat covers fit and look good using their foam too.

I suggest looking at Corvette America for all their interior products.

I have no connection with Corvette America. I just want to share the good results I have had.

[Dick W.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

I too had heard that Al Knoch was reproducing door panels with fiberboard backing (on special request).

They are repro-ing the fiberboard panels. I have installed both the hard and the fiberboard panels of various vendors. They ALL have fitment issues. Like Jack said, a big rubber hammer.

BTW, I sold both Knoch and John's interiors. John's went to the used car dealers who wanted a quick buck, Knoch's to the perfectionist.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Al Knoch Door Panels

To fit the door panels I move the lock shaft to match the hole in the new panel. This is done with a die grinder to make the four holes in the lock shaft mounting slots, in the direction it needs to move. One side may take four hours to fit the door panel and the other an hour. I have never had both sides fit right out of the box.