Passengers have been using the door opening lever to pull the door shut (usually slamming it after I ask them not to). Now the lever is loose. So I'd like to find a handle that will attach to something secure on the inside of the door for them to pull on. Any suggestions?
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Yeah. Open the door for them and close it after they get in.
Bonus: You'll look like quite the gentleman.
I’m pretty sure that both Greg at Vintage motorcars AND Carey at Beck sell separate inside door pull handles to mount at the top of the door.
My Beck had a door pull on the center-upper part of the door, so I am sure Carey should be able to provide an option.
Here you go. They really look this good, too!
I had those in mine and thought the looked really nice.
Wombat.........Here's some I make and sell. You have to supply the hood badges though. Them come in polished aluminum or bronze. They are about 6" wide.
Bruce
Wombat....I forgot to attach the photos.....Bruce
@JB356SR : That is exactly what I’m going to have made...big enough for a pair of fingers and color matched to the interior.
@Gordon Nichols Do these available door pulls mount into the fiberglas with sheet metal screws, like the perimeter screws of the door card? I have been trying to come up with something that would allow me to put a fender washer and a nut behind the fiberglas to spread the load, since some people will give a door pull a real heave. Thanks for any insight.
I have the Vintage Motorcars pulls Gordon linked above. They’re the same as the ones Porsche fitted to the non-speedster 356s. They have a slight curve to them allowing them to fold flat but still be proud enough to grab. Anyway, mine fit just under the door cap, through the door card. They don’t go anywhere near any fibreglass. And in my old original coupe, they were fixed in exactly the same way - just through the card. They fix from behind with a machine screw/bolt, so you can fit as big a washer as you like to stop them pulling through. You’d have to pull like The Hulk to do any damage to anything.
Given I never drive my car with the side windows in place, everyone (including myself) shuts the door using the top of the door.
The fingerprints are easily cleaned up after.
Occasionally, I’ll grab the door pocket to pull the door in closet to me while seated.
It seems as though EVERYONE who hasn't either built one of these cars, or is new to the car, always wants to slam the doors and/or use the windshield as something to grab as leverage when getting in or out. Tell them not to before they even get in by explaining how to do things - Don't slam things, don't touch the windshield, etc. It's YOUR car, after all. They'll think you're either Anal about it or just careful (most will think the former - get used to it).
The doors are quite light and only need a gentle touch to close them. A gentle pull on the top of the door is fine, pulling on the door closing handle (that you're going to install) is fine. Pulling on the opener handle is not cool. Tell them to be cool, like Chili Palmer.
My door pull handles came with dress-head sheet metal-style screws to install from the cockpit side - no fender washers inside the door needed. In fact, just getting to that location from the bottom with the door trim panel in place is so difficult I wouldn't even attempt it. Just drill the right size holes for the sheet metal screws and screw them in. It'll hold just fine, especially if the passenger has been warned about not slamming the door (remember Chili Palmer - Be Cool).
The windshield will surely crack prematurely if someone is tugging at it to haul their fat a$$ out of the seat or using it as a balance point while they're trying to lower said a$$ into the seat in slow motion. It looks soooo inviting, sitting there in the perfect spot to be used as a hand-hold - It is NOT a hand hold. Yell at them if they even look like they might try that. Give them a good slap if they even touch it.
These are the ways of the Replica Speedster Owner.
I have spoken...
Empi makes chrome spring loaded ones that fold flush -- Price has increased but they look classic. Around $40/pr
My door pulls double as arm rests, and they’ve never come loose!😊
I'm glad to hear I am being too paranoid rather than not paranoid enough about sheet metal screws potentially being yanked out of the door card or the fiberglas inner door panel. I had put an aluminum brace across for my arm rests (https://www.flickr.com/gp/farsightful/2CHYq3 ) to mount into so they wouldn't be supported only by the door card. Extra credit if you know what sentimental favorite VW product my arm rests are from.
Gordon,
I think you should do a video of the proper way to enter and exit a Speedster.
Video is a great idea. Link to a set of stickers to mark different locations on the car: THIS SIDE UP, NO HANDHOLD, EXIT ONLY, DO NOT BEND, SLIPPERY WHEN WET, USE NO HOOKS, TWO PERSON LIFT, YOU MUST BE THIS TALL TO RIDE, FRAGILE, THIS BAG IS NOT A TOY, NO STEP, DO NOT TEASE THE BEAR
This what I did. Purchased on amazom.
they attach with the existing screw at the top of the door card.
@wrkinprogress posted:Video is a great idea. Link to a set of stickers to mark different locations on the car: THIS SIDE UP, NO HANDHOLD, EXIT ONLY, DO NOT BEND, SLIPPERY WHEN WET, USE NO HOOKS, TWO PERSON LIFT, YOU MUST BE THIS TALL TO RIDE, FRAGILE, THIS BAG IS NOT A TOY, NO STEP, DO NOT TEASE THE BEAR
Gordon's out!
Ok, that made my morning! I almost spit out my espresso. 
@Gordon Nichols posted:Hey, @Robert M! I have friends in low places:
Friends that drink from those bowls are great friends to have.
Woof!
I'm ready to play, now!
