Door Panels for the ‘55
The ‘55 needed some some door panels, well specifically, it needed some side panels in the back seat area. The car is a utility sedan (no back seat, rear side windows don’t roll down) but has a back seat put in (well, wired with baling wire). The original carpet is long gone and the bare metal is dangerous for the passengers (my kids and brave hitchikers). I decided to do all the side panels at once, because the door panels were pretty ratty.
I wanted to eventually put carpet on the floor, so I went to Home Depot and found some nice, short knapp, dark green indoor/outdoor carpet for the floor. They also had some runner carpet in the same color, but with a pattern shaved into it. I thought this would look nice on the door panels, especially with the interior metal work eventually done with House of Kolor green marblizing (left over from my trike).
The backing boards were in pretty bad shape, so I just used them for a pattern.
I had some 1/8″ pegboard hanging around so I used it, but you can get fiberboard for about the same price.
I just traced the old door panel onto the pegboard and cut it out with jigsaw and drilled the handle holes. Then I transfered to the carpet with a 1″ excess to fold over.
I sprayed glue on the carpet and the pegboard, let it tack for minute or so and then pressed them together. A shot of glue around the edge, and I folded the edge over.
I searched through my wife’s quilting material and found some patterned satin that matched the shade of the carpet. I used this to cover the armrests.
Same thing for the rear side panels (you can see the cardboard template I made) and the kick panels.
Here’s the finished product. Later (for another post) I replaced the knobs on the window winders with emerald green glass knobs.
Turned out great! Drilled! For reduced weight! That pegboard is all about performance!
Comment by Mister Jalopy — September 13, 2005 @ 6:04 am
Hey, that’s a great idea! Nicely done.
Comment by Ed Tapanes — September 16, 2005 @ 4:12 pm
And it was cheap. Re: reduced weight - I’m already using that excuse for the rust holes in the floor…
Comment by Administrator — September 16, 2005 @ 4:19 pm
Hi I am doing the same thing right now on my 55 american mod any idea where I can buy the clips to hold the door panal on I live in the Kitchener Ont Canada area also I have a 55 2 door post for parts if you ever need anything.
Comment by paul kelly — March 8, 2006 @ 4:42 pm
I didn’t use the clips, I just used the oval head phillips drive screws that are commonly used on car interiors (with the little trim washers). You might try The Paddock for the clips(probably the same as chevy also).
Comment by Administrator — March 9, 2006 @ 6:15 am