Inside door panel choice(s).

Former Member

If you were to have a coupe built, any year, metal or fiberglass, and the car was going to be something along the lines of an Outlaw, would you prefer the stock interior door panels like these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Porsche-356-DOOR-PANEL-52-66-Coupe-CabrioletBLACK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33696QQihZ015QQitemZ250159716548QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Simple flat upholstered panels with door pulls and arm rests, either stock or appropriate to a somewhat race heritage.

Panels more along the looks of the proprietary ones offered by VS.

Or aluminum racing panels with bead rolling around the perimeter or even rolling that mimics the lower ribbed pocket of the stock panels.

Any preferences? Maybe alternate suggestions? I could use some opinions.

Going through my collection of interior pieces, I'm finding that many of the seats/panels/dash board components/steering wheels/etc. can be successfully mixed and matched very successfully. Stock panels look perfect beside Speedster seats, aluminum gauge bezels work wonderfully with a stock ivory "A" VDM steering wheel, custom drilled aluminum shifters look terrific with the stock ivory shift knob, and so forth. I've never run into this before and it's really opened up a ton of possibilities and variations. I'm looking for just a little input.

Thanks !

TC

8/30/079:15 AM

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Former Member

8/30/079:17 AM

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Lane AndersonMt. Pleasant, SC Supporting Member

I like the plain look for an outlaw, but I find the door pockets in my car invaluable for storage of small objects. Those in the picture are probably the best bet.

8/30/079:39 AM

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WideRidezzz

I sought out the 356 door leather-clad panels with the pouch and latching flap. As Butch progressed they looked to nice for an outlaw or race-ready car. At least to me.

I'd look at the variation available for the RS and Carrera 911s if I wanted something in a 'soft' finish. No pockets, no pouches so not so practical, but convincing as their style says simple, functional and lightweight.

My next car will have something like the metal skins.

Oh and unless the style has changed at Vintage, don't they do that little gathered pouch? It screams replica to me.

8/30/0710:35 AM

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Former Member

"It screams replica to me."

Meaning good or bad? Do you think that aluminum inside panels would continue to be your top choice, even without any in door access/storage?

A small indented "pocket" would be a very easy modification to an aluminum panel, even a riveted recessed storage area is possible and might carry kind of a Soviet Bomber look/feel supporting a variation on the Outlaw (even Salt Flat racer) approach.

Paul, would that kind of thing seem cool or too fussy?

Maybe plain door panels, vinyl covered or bead rolled aluminum with a storage pocket in the side foot wells where the stock speakers would normally be mounted. As I "said" I need a lot of input before finalizing the interior appointments, I wasn't aware that small, quick access, storage areas were so important. The coupe will, of course, have the glove box, but that might not be enough.

Thanks!

8/30/0712:11 PM

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Lane AndersonMt. Pleasant, SC Supporting Member

I like the idea of an indented pocket in an aluminum panel. Just be sure to line it with felt or something so things don't rattle around and maybe dent the aluminum. There's just too much empty space in those doors not to use some of it for storage.

8/30/0712:30 PM

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Inter911

The ones in the link above are exactly like what I had made for my 66 912 and I have adapted them to my IM. I took the backing panel off the 66 912 units and then I mounted the leather covers and pockets on my IM panels. I like the look.

But, for an outlaw, what about adapting something like a 911 RS to work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-911-930-RS-America-Door-Panels-Black-Leather_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33705QQihZ015QQitemZ250158781322QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

The same vendor has billet covers for the handles and pull tab. I also saw some one time with a strap to pull up and down the windor...eliminated the window mechanism. That would look good on an Outlaw too.

8/30/0712:48 PM

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Stan Galat

Linked panels are exactly what I had on the JPS, and what I asked for (and got) on my IM. They are unbelievably practical.

They also aren't very "outlaw". Plain vinyl panels (no pulls, no pockets) would be. I don't care- I have to have a place for the paperwork anyhoo.

8/30/075:33 PM

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Alan MerklinDrclock - Elkins, West Virginia Supporting Member

If you are thinking out of the box then look at other cars , you can easily fabricate most any styling that you choose with parts from other panels or covered light weight pine wood pcs.

8/30/076:27 PM

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MusbJim'14 VS SoCal Supporting Member

Be REALLY different - put the panels on the OUTSIDE of the doors!!

8/30/078:18 PM

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Former Member

TC, my offer stands. You KNOW which way I'd go.

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8/30/0711:00 PM

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bt Supporting Member

I would try to do something like a spyder's door. With windows I would try to hook up some kind of a leather strap to operate the window( like on vintage race cars).

8/31/079:22 AM

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Lane AndersonMt. Pleasant, SC Supporting Member

The old 356 coupe race cars did the leather strap thing, so it'd be correct.

8/31/0710:18 AM

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oldsaltydog

Wish I had the talent to make this stuff out of Al sheet-stock, but I don't, so I use wood as Alan recommends. I wanted the "vintage look as shown on the passenger door, but there's no place to store a map, gas receipt, or even a pen or pencil with that look. Then I tried to keep the look by installing a storage area similar to a front door mail slot. There is a lot of unused volume in that door. Seemed to work fine, so I installed one on each door and with the plain black upholstery, the storage area doesn't stand out too much...sorta just blends in.