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Stepdown upholstery panel clips
  • ernie28ernie28
    Posts: 319Gold Member
    Hi guys

    Can someone advise a source for this style of panel clip or an alternative option?

    Thanks in advance.
    Alistair Howard, NZ HET Triangle Editor
    http://het.org.nz/
    1928 Essex Coach
    1950 Hudson Pacemaker
  • Oldfarmer1947gmailcomOldfarmer1947gmailcom
    Posts: 132Hitchhiker
    Brouse the catalog at restorationspecialties.com/ this company has many hard to clips.
    Oldfarmer1947@gmail.com
  • hotrodman2010hotmailcomhotrodman2010hotmailcom
    Posts: 112Hitchhiker
    I can see this is for the center post...I got rid of the stock clips and used plastic push in retainers that have a flat top. this panel you will note requires a longer attacher compared to other panel needs. Not a big deal...you can get them at most any auto nut and bolt shop,trim shop ect.....I had to drill larger the holes in the center post in my case to get just the correct resistance for them to push in and hold good. This worked well.
    As a side note, I used clear plastic as a templete for making all the backer boards,this worked out very well as you will get every hole and the shape of the panel perfect. It is very time comsumming??? But you will save hundreds as compared to shoping it out to a pro..
  • ernie28ernie28
    Posts: 319Gold Member
    Thanks guys for the tips. I will look at these after the New Year. I am reinstalling the originals in the meantime and when time and finances allow, new panels will be made which is when your pointers, Hotrodman, will be very useful. I appreciate your input.
    Alistair Howard, NZ HET Triangle Editor
    http://het.org.nz/
    1928 Essex Coach
    1950 Hudson Pacemaker
  • Pacemaker500Pacemaker500
    Posts: 1,008Platinum Member
    Restoration Specialties will have a valid alternative. I stopped by there when we lived in PA (they are in Windber, PA - burb of Johnstown, PA). The door panel clips that work in the 48-50 Stepdowns are for a Volkswagon.

    Send them the picture and they will find one.
  • duncan
    Posts: 410Gold Member
    Hi Mynephew is doing the interior for our 54 hornet hollywood and he uses plastic vapor barrier it is a little heavier than regular plastic. He even uses the vapor barier to make paterns for seats also. when you are ready to do the interior door panels just cut them a little bit bigger and use some strong round penny size magnets. Set the plastic on door and hold plastic on with magnets. Then take black or your favourite color felt marker and draw all holes and cut lines you need. Then take plastic pattern and lay it on the kind of material you are going to use and trans fer lines from plastic to stiff material. Hope this helps. My nephew started the interior 6 years ago and was using plastic before this. Ray
  • Geoff C., N.Z.Geoff C., N.Z.
    Posts: 2,273Platinum Member
    Alistair, when I lived in Palmerston North, there was an upholstery shop in Botanical Road, just North of the Pioneer highway I think it was, who had all that sort of stuff.
    Geoff
    If you're stuck in a hole, stop digging.
  • jjbubaboyjjbubaboy
    Posts: 568Platinum Member
    I would like to replace the panels on my 36T as well. What is a good panel 'backer' type material?
    And where would one get it?
    Seems like mine are a kind of thick cardboard, and would need something similar. The panel attachment brackets will need to be riveted to it from the old one.
    Thanks,
    Jeff
  • J SpencerJ Spencer
    Posts: 374Gold Member
    I also used the 'Christmas tree' style retainers on my Pacemaker where the original long ones went. I had to drill out the holes also. the retainers are for a 1/4 inch hole but I found that drilling just undersize they held better. After they are fastened to the panel just push the pane in until it looks correct. Au-Ve-Co products has a large supply of fasteners, but I could not find the original style.

    Au-Ve-Co has online catalog or your local body shop suppliers usually have a catalog

    Jim Spencer
    WNY/ ONTARIO Chapter