Parts for a 54 Door

[Eric F.]

There are metal plates, which have slotted holes, attached to the doors of this 54. They are partially covered by the door panel when it's installed but a portion of the plate is visible when the door is in the open position. They are on both doors in the upper and lower hinge areas; they seem out of place to me.

Has anyone seen them before? I want to know if they are stock or some type of an upgrade to reinforce the doors.

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[Peter R.]

Re: Parts for a 54 Door

Eric, Those are present on my '54. I believe they are called door hinge covers. I see what I think are them listed in the '53-55 parts manual in section 10.469 with a different part number for each of the four covers. They do look out of place and you have to wonder why they were used. They are also mentioned in the '53-55 judging manual in section 12 where it says "Also, the forward metal door hinge covers and attaching screws (usually slotted-head) are normally oversprayed with exterior paint, and may not be totally covered."

[Chris S.]

Re: Parts for a 54 Door

those covers are on ebay.....Mary Jo sells them.....Grossmueller sells them...
Pete's reply is correct.....
also your weatherstrip goes on after these covers where installed.
The car was painted with the covers and doors on.....

[Eric F.]

Re: Parts for a 54 Door

Pete and Chris, Thanks for the information. All four are on this car but they sure look out of place, especially with the slotted holes that don't contain any fasteners. At least I know they belong and I will keep them in place during the upcoming body paint. Thanks again. Eric

[Troy P.]

Re: Parts for a 54 Door

Interesting that your screws are not painted. Have you or previous owners ever removed them?

[Eric F.]

Re: Parts for a 54 Door

Troy, I don't know for certain if they have been removed in the past. Some things on this car have obviously never been touched but others have. I suspect the screws may have been removed in the past, though others that I know have been removed and replace still have the original paint on them.

[Troy P.]

Re: Parts for a 54 Door

the cover plates and screws were on the car when it was painted. With that much paint on the plates the screws would have been painted as well.

BTW the 53-55 JG says screws are "usually" slotted. I've never seen anything but slotted on unrestored cars. But that's just my experience.

[Eric F.]

Re: Parts for a 54 Door

Thanks Troy, Do you or anyone else know what size the screws should be? # 8 or #10? Eric

[Troy P.]

Re: Parts for a 54 Door

Don't know for sure. Probably a #8.