Topic: 1966 Convertible Interior Quarter Trim Panel

[Pete Bush]

The original interior quarter trim panels (the upholstered parts) on my May Metuchen Sprint were cut by a previous owner so they could install speakers in the panels. I've been looking for a good used set of replacements, and found a set on Ebay, but the plastic appears to be black - while the plastic on mine is kind of a white translucent material. Then I got to looking at other pictures on the web and they appear to be black as well. Yet mine are white. Any explanation? Was this a plant/time specific thing?

[Pete Bush]

Attached is a picture of the back-side of the Quarter Panel Trim showing the white plastic shell.

[Paperback Writer]

Not sure if this is relevant or not, but my '67 San Jose convertible also used panels made of a white translucent material.
One of mine even has a QC stamp from Sept. 6, 1966...

[Pete Bush]

.... and here's a picture of the typical black plastic.

[CharlesTurner]

Seen the black on some San Jose '65 cars.  Seems like most of the ones I have seen from Dearborn/Metuchen were the clear/opaque style.

[datac]

My June '65 San Jose car has the black panels.

Since the damaged area will be covered by the upholstery and the back side wouldn't be visible without removing the panel, why not repair your originals rather than replace them?

[JMMotors]

FYI - originals were not "plastic" to my knowledge. They were made of fiberglass so if you're going to repair, then use the appropriate material.

[CharlesTurner]

The black ones I've seen were definitely plastic, no fibers showing nor at breakage points.  The opaque ones are the same too.  Maybe you've seen some reproduction ones that were fiberglass?

2-part plastic epoxy would work great for repairs on these.

[NEFaurora]

I'm redoing these myself on my own vert....luckily my opaque ones are in good shape... fun project....

Tony K.

[Pete Bush]

Okay, I found a pair of the used black plastic panels. What should I use to clean off the old glue - that will not react with the plastic?

[CharlesTurner]

You really don't need to remove the glue, the plastic is old and brittle and will crack/break easily.  If you have to have it off, use goo-gone or mineral spirits.  Let it soak and use something like a putty knife to scrape off old glue.