Door Pulls Update - Fuselage Models

saforwardlook

Old Man with a Hat
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I just wanted to update folks on the status of reproducing the door pulls used on the 1970 Chrysler New Yorker and 300 models and the 1971 Plymouth Sport Fury and Chrysler 300 models. I talked with Bob Baker about several of his projects currently underway (I many times have supplied him with the needed dash pads and other parts in perfect condition to be able to use in making the molds for new pads - but the pads get destroyed in the process) so I know him well and wanted to provide an update on the door pulls. He said he is in the process of reproducing them as original and is well along. He said each door pull is labor intensive since he has to take the center metal band of the pulls with the rectangular chrome pieces on each end used to mount the pulls to the door panel (supplied by the person wanting them reproduced from their old pulls) and then has to go about putting in the sliding pieces that allow the pulls to move outward when the pull is being used to pull the door shut. So far, it takes about 2 hours per pull to assemble all the pieces and wrap them in vinyl and get the sewing performed. So he said he can not sell them really cheap as a result, but he said they will look like the originals with the proper thickness and stitching. So far, he is only going to supply them in brown, the color used in the Chrysler 300 Hurst models, as he has been requested by the Chrysler 300 Club, International to do the reproductions for those 1970 models only. But if he has enough requests for other colors, he may expand other color availability. The Chrysler 300 Club, International tried making reproductions themselves and failed miserably. I saw their final attempt, and it was a sorry, thin mess that didn't look original at all, so they aborted their efforts and solicited Bob's efforts. I will try to get estimates as to what he can sell them for when I see him at Spring Fling out here next weekend (April 13/14). Maybe I can even get a photo of one of his prototypes. One thing I know about Bob is that he strives for reproductions that very faithfully match the originals, so I am hopeful in this case too.

I am definitely going to order some 8 sets from him but he would probably benefit knowing how many others on fcbo might also want a set from him (Can Citter is likely I believe, for example, for his beautifully restored 71 SFGT) so maybe others could contact Bob at ABC Moparts and let him know you have interest. I will try to get a price estimate from him next week and then update this thread.

ABC Moparts
 
Thanks. I am currently waiting for SMS Auto Fabrics to re-do the ones that I sent them at the end of the year. Lord knows when I will get them but i will update everyone once I get them as to the quality of their work on a set of these door pulls.
 
Thanks for that info. I recently spoke to ABC, too, and got the same basic report. I'm sure their pulls will be an outstanding product, worth the price.

But my problem is that I have NO metal parts to provide him. Nothing. When my panels were reupholstered in 1998 by the previous owner, the very nice job looked like this since there were no repro parts available, and the Interweb of available parts probably wasn't available to the upholstery shop. They did the best they could with what they had. Sooooo.....anyone have any old nasty pulls with the hardware that they want to sell me? I've checked with Murray, etc.

Trace's Door Panel.JPG


I did acquire these to try for a slightly more correct look for these panels.
IMG_4493.JPG
 
Like the one's sitting on the radio?

View attachment 287927

The correct one would be like the one in the middle on top of the radio. The one on the left side in the photo was used on 1971 New Yorkers and later Chryslers and the one on the right of the correct one looks like someone covered it with vinyl perhaps due to what is probably cracking of the original one I would guess Manny.
 
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The correct one would be like the one in the middle on top of the radio. The one on the left side in the photo was used on 1971 New Yorkers and later than 70-71 Chrysler 300s and the one on the right of the correct one looks like someone covered it with vinyl perhaps due to what is probably cracking of the original one I would guess Manny.
I have the set of 4 same color I pulled them from a 71 Fury wagon in a yard I sent you a pic months ago can't find it now. The left pull handle my dad's 71 Wagon has those style and was missing one found it on that yard trip.
 
Yes, Manny, those are the correct ones and those are in comparatively great shape compared to just about any other old ones of that style you are likely to find on a car anymore. Just don't use them!!!
 
Like the one's sitting on the radio?

I would be delighted to purchase two of those straps and four of the "escutcheons" as seen in this pic (and whatever else of needed hardware, if you have them). Then I can await the ABC stuff and get this Hurst door looking a little more correct.
20-1512052968694.jpg
 
I would be delighted to purchase two of those straps and four of the "escutcheons" as seen in this pic (and whatever else of needed hardware, if you have them). Then I can await the ABC stuff and get this Hurst door looking a little more correct.View attachment 287969
Sure shoot me a PM I'd sell 2 and the hardware I have plenty also I believe the correct screws also.
 
I want to thank 70 Sport (Manny) for going through his hoard of door pulls and associated hardware and offering me his best items, and providing advice on coloring the very nice black pulls to FT6 Tan (it's worth a try) using SEM products. He's had great results using the vinyl spray dyes.
 
Manny is one of the most helpful guys I know, like his buddy Wyatt.

For your Hurst, you might want to consider this product: SEM Color Coat System 15033 Saddle Tan Aerosol Vinyl Spray Paint 12OZ Can 689826825013 | eBay

At least the color name matches Chrysler's description of the color of Hurst interiors as "saddle" too. It is hard to do a comparison, though, from computer images since color settings can affect the faithfulness of the actual spray color. I also use only SEM vinyl sprays as I have found them the most durable so far as well, like Manny

Let us know how it works out which ever one you use.

Durability shouldn't be an issue, since if you have one of those good used pulls, you really shouldn't use it if you want it to stay nice looking and not crack. At least until Bob Baker of ABC Moparts or SMS comes through with some reproduction ones.

.
 
Manny is one of the most helpful guys I know, like his buddy Wyatt.

Yeah, we spent nearly two hours on the phone, chattering like teenage girls! Time well spent.

Thanks for that additional SEM recommendation regarding color. That's what Manny and I were working towards during our call, and I'm quite sure your take on it will work just fine. My door panels were "restified" by a decent upholstery company in 1998 (see pic above), so the color of that vinyl was just a reasonable estimate of the trashed, sunburnt originals. So.....I'd like the pulls to at least match the new Tan ABC armrests that I have, but there are several colors in the Tan range in the unrestored Hurst cars I've seen and photographed. Panel/material color matching in older cars was not like today. I had a pal with a mid-70s Merc Capri (Crapy!) that had 23 shades of Tan/Saddle/Beige in it, from carpet to yinyl to hard plastics, to door parts to package tray to steering wheel to pillar trim to headliner to seat upholstery....all close but slightly different. But I digress....nobody here cares about a Capri!

I imagine the SEM Saddle Tan will work just fine, and yes, computer images are only for imagination and approximation. YMMV!

I intend to gently use the pulls to spare the easy-to-damage armrests (when used as the pull for our giant doors), but you're right...it's all a tradeoff to looking correct AND being useful.

But Manny has made it possible for me to get my un-original door panels in a much more correct state of appearance and functionality. To the untrained eye......

And like you said, if it doesn't work out I can go with ABC, which I'd be happy to do. I admire their contribution to our hobby. Meanwhile, I'm ordering that Saddle Tan from SEM right away. :thumbsup:
 
The SEM products are great. I tried the Saddle Tan and I didn't think it was a good color match.

Full discloser.... My car is a convertible and we have a combination of replaced, dyed, and faded panels so this was only my experience. Even the replacement seats that a previous owner bought (two owners ago, but I have the receipt) were dyed by Legendary years ago when they sold them. The white is coming through on the buttons.

I called SEM and they will custom match the color and then provide you with a formula that you can take to your local SEM dealer (has to have SEM mixing capability) and they can mix it up for you. You will need to provide them with a good sample which will be returned. The service is free.

I didn't take advantage of that because I really felt that I didn't have a good piece that I could have matched.

Then there was another factor... Mrs. Big John, with whom I place all my color coordination responsibility, especially browns, absolutely hated the SEM saddle tan, and said it wasn't close to what she thought the original color should be, so the decision was made to go with a slightly lighter camel color that matches my top better. The seats have remained the color Legendary dyed them, mostly because I just haven't gotten the ambition to dye them to match and they look OK with the camel color.

When you paint with SEM, follow their directions to the letter. There's some good YouTube videos on the subject.

I strongly suggest doing a spray out on a card to check color before doing any interior panels.

These guys clown around for the first few minutes but then get down to some good, solid methods.

 
Thanks for those observations, Big_John.

My hope is that the Saddle is a decent match to the ABC armrests, as my panels are a 20 year old re-upholstery job and only "resemble" the original 300 panels, as below. As is yours, mine is a hodge-podge of "saddley" colors, and I'm doing my best to find a consistent "theme", and I think I'm getting there. Again, to a Hurst expert who has a cherry, garage-kept-for-49-years interior it won't be perfect, but for the other 99.9% who see it, they marvel at the opulent luxury...... :wideyed:

Real Door:
IMG_0062.JPG


My door:
Trace's Door Panel.JPG


Surprisingly, the ABC armrests are a darn decent match to the reupholstered vinyl, so if the SEM Saddle works with that, I'm good. If--after card testing on some vinyl samples--it doesn't pass the Ms. Trace's Amazing Color Discerning Eyeball Test I'll decide what door item I want to color match to and find a SEM mixer. In fact, Manny volunteered to use his trusted mixer for a match and send it to me. How's that for helpful?!

[As for Ms. Trace, she's the one who determined that School Bus Yellow was an exact match for the grille to my Hurst stripe yellow. I tossed a dozen "near miss" spray-card colors at her and argued a bit.....she said "Nope. School Bus". :D]


I watched one SEM-provided vid but didn't see the one you posted (and will soon watch, thanks!) and ordered the Vinyl Prep spray along with the Saddle paint. As with any paint job, cleaning and prep is the key. I'm thrilled I have good pulls to work with!

Incidentally, I found that Rustoleum Painter's Touch Satin Nutmeg to be a very decent match for the kicks and the seat base molding (where the power seat buttons are) with my hodge-podge of shades, particularly the reupholstered seats and door panels. Very low gloss, coats nicely, at Depot, etc. It's worth a try for any of you....cheap, easy...

IMG_4509.JPG
 
Not sure what type of metal those clips and brackets are but you might want to do a little research on citric acid. I've been using a solution of citric acid and water with good results to gently remove rust on bolts, rims, etc...you could test a small portion, and depending on how thick the scale is, it may only take a brief amount of time to see a noticeable difference.
 
Not sure what type of metal those clips and brackets are but you might want to do a little research on citric acid.

Yep, I plan to use a "mystery dip" that I've had for years, or citric like you reminded me of. :thumbsup:

My intent is to abate the surface rust, then carefully wirebrush with a small Dremel wheel, then use rattle Fake Chrome or a very nice Satin Nickel on those buckles. And again, the goal is not to be Barrett-Jackson perfect but instead to not offend the eye of the casual car-guy/gal.
 
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