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Rear Quarter Windows Interior Panels

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by 6S1431, Mar 22, 2009.

  1. Mar 22, 2009 #1
    6S1431

    6S1431 Well-Known Member

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    Restoring a car is interesting to say the least. Aggravating would be a more accurate term, but the results are sometimes well worth the effort. I have seen several posts over the installation of certain items; one was the interior panel for the rear quarter windows. Like all good pack rats, I never throw anything away, so even thought they were warped and cracked beyond use I kept the original interior panels. I had purchased about two years ago, interior panels and new Plexiglas from Tony Branda. Having had pretty good luck with his stuff and the quality seems to be as good if not better than some of the others. Well they don't fit, I has massaged, muscled, pushed and shoved, and they just don't fit. They also have a different texture to the surface and while the originals are cheap plastic, the flexibility of them allows you to make it fit the opening better. After much debate we decide to by making a minor saw cut at the lower corner we could relive the curve and them then fit, not perfect yet, but almost as good as the original. The replacement panels seem to be just about 3/16 of an inch shorter so we will have to split the difference in the opening. The car is close to done, this is the last major installation, then it's install the front and rear windows, wheels and tires and get the engine redone and installed, new exhaust should comeplete the car, hopefully by early summer. here are some photos of the original and the replacement panels so you can see the difference
     

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    6S1431, Mar 22, 2009
    6S1431, Mar 22, 2009
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  2. Mar 26, 2009 #2
    The Commissioner

    The Commissioner Well-Known Member

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    We built several 66 clones for customers and these window kits were the worst and caused us so much time and energy in getting them to fit. My mechanic and the upholsterer would have to spend hours getting them to fit and and to make all the other interior panels fit around them and getting them sealed so they don't leak was another major hassle. Wish I had a magic solution, but we just had to get them to fit the best that we could. :grrr:
     
    The Commissioner, Mar 26, 2009
    The Commissioner, Mar 26, 2009
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  3. Mar 27, 2009 #3
    TJinSA

    TJinSA Well-Known Member

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    I can feel I am going to have my work cut out for me on this one... I wonder why somehting closer to the original material hasn't been worked on... Hmmmmmm...
     
    TJinSA, Mar 27, 2009
    TJinSA, Mar 27, 2009
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  4. Mar 27, 2009 #4
    1966GT350-5

    1966GT350-5 Active Member

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    Just a thought...get some regular Mustang interior panels that have not been cut out and you should be able to tighten up the gaps. Years ago helped install a set on a GT fastback and they looked good. A couple years later I used a kit on a 66 GT350 whose plastic sill were beyond repair and had the same issues as you are currently having.

    Joe
     
    1966GT350-5, Mar 27, 2009
    1966GT350-5, Mar 27, 2009
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  5. Jul 3, 2009 #5
    shlby66

    shlby66 Well-Known Member

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    The problem of replacing the 1/4 window interior trim pieces comes down to 2
    issues. The opening in the upper (vent) interior panel was cut too large and the current replacement 1/4 window trim panels from all of the vendors are
    too stiff and too short. This makes for a frustrating experience.

    I have found a person who makes far superior 1/4 window trim panels and
    have installed them in my Shelby. They are flexible, longer than those from the vendors and the grain pattern is nice.

    If you need 1/4 trim panels for your Shelby, send me a PM and I'll give you all the info.
     
    shlby66, Jul 3, 2009
    shlby66, Jul 3, 2009
    #5
  6. Aug 24, 2009 #6
    cb716

    cb716 New Member

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    Would be interested in getting source information on these panels. Thanks.
     
    cb716, Aug 24, 2009
    cb716, Aug 24, 2009
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  7. Aug 24, 2009 #7
    shlby66

    shlby66 Well-Known Member

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    PM me and I will give you the info to purchase the best 1/4 window trim panels available. They are nice:)
     
    shlby66, Aug 24, 2009
    shlby66, Aug 24, 2009
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