RS vs. Original Style Door Panel

[lsf911]

I am looking for opinions.

I am thinking of replacing my original door panels on my 83 SC to RS style door panels. The original door panels are in good shape with the exception of the door pockets. They definitely date the car. Another issue is the PO mounted some cup holders on the door panels that I think make it look cheesy. There would be holes if I remove them.

Anyway, the options: live with the cup holders and buy new door pockets for around $300; or buy the leather RS America door panels for $309.

I know leaving the car original is always the better option for resale but I plan on keeping the car forever.

Opinions please.
Thanks,
Lou

[Joe Bob]

A company named APPBIZ makes nice panels.....I think they are a vendor for Pelican Parts. Call Glenn Sager at PP....good guy.

[lsf911]

Thanks for the info. I assume that means your opinion means replace the originals and get rid of the cup holders.

I will give him a call.
Thanks again.

[will hung]

I originally wanted an RS interior so bad it hurt, then I started driving my car. That's about the time I realized that I love having pockets to store things, so I kept my stock door panels.

[Winter]

You could always replace like with like (sans cup holders). Post a WTB ad in the classifieds.

[will hung]

What color is your car and interior? If it's a common color like black, you could either buy used to make a set. I made my door panels. Took me an afternoon. Like I said earlier, I kept my door pockets, but I deleted my radio, so I made new panels to fill the holes left by the speakers.

[PCA7GGR]

Pics of the cheesy cup holders PLS.

[lsf911]

Winter, I will look up Sans an see what they look like.

Will, My car is black with black interior. I do like having the arm rests and storage but I like the clean look of the RS style door panels. I am torn, which is why I was looking for opinions. I have seen some great cars on this web site.

I will try and take some pics of the cheesy cup holders tonight.

[HawgRyder]

If you want...you can make panels yourself...I did.
I started with plastic cored panel from the local lumber yard...(looks like cardboard box material but made with plastic).
Make a template and cut out the plasti-core shape.
Cover with foam (thick or thin...or some thick and some thin for a contoured effect).
Glue on leather or Naugahide from the local fabric store in the colour of your choice.
Get stainless screws with recessed washers to fasten the panels.
I used bulk dog leash to pull on the door mechanism to open from the inside.
Put a luggage type handle up high near the window to close the door (light weight type).
And bingo...custom door panels...one of a kind !
Bob

[Winter]

sans = without

sans - Wiktionary

To clarify, you could just find some door cards/panels in the classifieds that match what you have, remove yours with the cup holders and then replace with your "new" (used) ones that haven't been molested with cup holders like your existing ones have.

That's a cheap solution (maybe not as cheap as making your own, like HawgRyder describes).

But these cars are a slippery slope, and you might end up going RS panels, after you strip everything and do a glass out repaint, of course!

[JAR0023]

While I like the look of the RS panels I prefer the utility of the arm rest and storage of the originals. Mine's a daily driver and if it wasn't for the storage pockets I'd have stuff sliding all over the car.

J

[gamin]

I installed the APPBIZ RSA+ door panels. RSA+ comes with accordion door pockets that I find useful for wallet etc. Good quality hardware. I also opted for leather door pulls with interior color matched stitching. I didn't like the intrusion of the big door pulls and map boxes. My left elbow is a still tender reconstruction and I wanted to get rid of anything I might hit. I'm happy.

[Lukesportsman]

Winter,

Doesn't installing larger cylinder barrels come as a mandatory accessory when the glass comes out? Of course when the weights starts coming down with RS panels, larger brakes are required

[lsf911]

Oh....I didn't get it (sans). Not a bad suggestion. I am not sure I would be as creative as HawgRyder.

Sergio wanted some pics of the cheesy cup holders so I took a few photos after work today. They didn't come out very good but I will post anyway. You will get the idea.

[Lukesportsman]

Mine is a roll of duct tape on passenger floor. It travels well from coupe to coupe and stays in place if you don't buy the giant slurpy cups at gas station. LOL

[lsf911]

I like the duct tape idea! When I am not using it I can store it in the trunk, out of sight.

[douglas bray]

Mine are appbiz.com cards fitted with RS/RSR leather pull straps. I covered them with suede I got at Tandy Leather. No, really, I did.

Rennlist Discussion Forums - View Single Post - RS Style Perlon Felt in a Cab????

[Tippy]

I'll trade your factory panels and pulls for my RS panels.

[Dave Colangelo]

I made my own RS panels out of foam core and some fiber glass. I then covered them with some black suede I got at a local fabric shop. I made handels and pulls out of 1.5 inch wide red nylon cord I got at a local marine store. It was the same kind of stuff they use to make climbing harnesses. All in all it cost about 75$ to make both of them and took about 6 hours of time. Here is a link to the thread of the build,

RS style door pannels, a fiberglass project


Regards
Dave

[porsche0nut]

Originally Posted by lsf911

Nice seats! What are they?

Sorry to deviate ... back on topic: the RS door panels are awesome but I think personally I would miss the pocket (as others have mentioned)... but even more I would miss the diagonal pattern of the stock door panel material (how do you describe this.. the plushy part above the arm rest). I think it gives the door some character rather than just a flat panel.