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Door panel question
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47609		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Reed [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Door panel question
When did Mopar make the switch from flat door panels to the design that curls up over the top of the door and has the inner window felt attached to the door panel? I believe all through the 60s all Mopars had the window felt part of the actual metal door frame, but by the early and mid 70s Mopar had switched to using the door panel as the mount for the window felt with the door panel continuing up and curving over the top of the door.. For example, I know my 66 old Barracuda and my brother's old 68 Dart had the flat door panel that didn't curve up towards the window, but my brother's 74 Duster does have the window felt attached to the door panel.

Does anyone have a breakdown of the years and models where the switch was made?
Author:  zorg [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
'73 was the first year for the new style inner door on A-bodies, with the taller door card and plastic upper piece with the window felt. They switched to a one piece window, without the wing window, at the same time. However, this was only for the two doors. Four door cars kept the old style doors and wing windows through the end of the run in '76. I'm not sure on other model lines.


However, with a bit of creativity and an extra set of early doors, you can replace that plastic upper door portion on a '73-'76 Dart:

Image

(Dante had to call me to double check he was sending the right weatherstripping/window felts!)
Author:  Reed [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Interesting, thanks. I recall that my old 72 Satellite sedan had a masonite/hardboard door panel that curved up over the top of the inner door and had the hole for the lock knob and the inner window felt as well. So it sounds like 73+ A-body two doors got the curved door panels but other car lines got them earlier?
Author:  805moparkid [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
my 65 plymouth has door panels that wrap up... they are steel painted up top and a material down low...
Author:  zorg [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
On the late A-bodies, the masonite panel doesn't curve. It stops just short of the top of the door, and there is a separate plastic panel that covers the curve. I'll see if I can find a pic of it.

FWIW, my buddy's '68 Fury III has the curved door panels you speak of.

edit: Here is a pic on Allpar that shows it.
Image
The plastic piece goes from the faux woodgrain, to the window felt. Hope that helps?
Author:  Reed [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hmmm. So C-bodies had them at least as early as 68. The panels on my brother's Duster are as you describe- flat masonite with a separate plastic trim piece on top with the window felt.
Author:  805moparkid [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
On the late A-bodies, the masonite panel doesn't curve. It stops just short of the top of the door, and there is a separate plastic panel that covers the curve. I'll see if I can find a pic of it.

FWIW, my buddy's '68 Fury III has the curved door panels you speak of.

edit: Here is a pic on Allpar that shows it.
Image
The plastic piece goes from the faux woodgrain, to the window felt. Hope that helps?
was this at me?
Author:  zorg [ Tue Jan 17, 2012 11:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
was this at me?
No, not at all!
Author:  805moparkid [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Quote:
was this at me?
No, not at all!
oh ok... i wasn't sure...
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:40 am ]
Post subject: 
AFAIK, the only "square" A-bodies that got the full door panels were the '74-'76 Brougham/Special Edition cars -- and I don't think they had the window sweeper/cat whiskers attached to the door panels; pretty sure those stayed the same, clipped to the metal lip of the door itself.

Duster/Dart Sport models, I donno. Ask DusterIdjit! Image
Author:  Reed [ Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks. This isn't really a pressing issue, I was just wondering. Personally, I like the models where the door panel is just flat and doesn't curve over the top of the door. It makes fabricating replacement panels MUCH easier.
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