Technical Has anyone changed hidden door hinges to stock on a glass 3 window

Don't hate, I have a fiberglass 32 3 window and it has hidden hinges and I want to put the two lower original style hinges back on it. I'm still building it so the body has not been painted yet. I'm not sure how to go about it. I've searched all over the HAMB and the net and can't find any info. from anyone installing hinges in a glass body. I'm thinking I'm going to have to cut the outer skin off the door but I'm not sure if I need to go that extreme. Any help is appreciated.
Hank

 

The hidden hinges have to be attached to some structure in both the door and the b pillar. I'd suggest investigating that first, and getting pics and measurements, and working from there. You might get lucky and find it's a much easier job than you imagine, on the other hand.......

Chris

 

I made my own for my 34. Wouldn't you want to access them from the inner door panel?

 

Get the door hinges. Cut a notch in the A pillar (B pillar if you want suicide doors) and the door. Adapt the steel interstructure for clearance of the hinges. The last may require welding so you'll need the fiberglass away from the internal bracing.

 

I remember seeing a feature article on a fiberglass door car that had hidden hinges and fake exposed hinges. That way you get the look without all the work and alignment issues. Bogus parts are traditional - fake Buick brakes, fake blowers. I'm running a fake mechanical fuel pump.

 

My 34 roadster is a speed 33 steel body. When I selected it I knew I was going to have to make some changes to fit what I had in mind for my car. One was a cowl vent...

and the other was door hinges. The car came with massive steel strap, hidden hinges.

But I wanted handles and hinges, and shiny while I was at it. I bought SS hinges for a 32 three window, milled down the thickness of the hinge (as they are decorative and not needing to be strong), welded them together and cut off what bits I didn’t need.

Polished them, cut the doors and added nut zerts in the door jamb to attach them. No one in 7 years has noticed they are not operable. And the look?

Is exactly what I wanted. Why reinvent the wheel when all the wheel needs is a hub cap?

 

Nice modification @Bandit Billy !

 

Great idea on the ‘fake’ hinges !
(and cleverly said in the comment)

 

Now that is a fake I can like!

 

You could always mold them in glass and attach them to paint body color. Seems easier than what Billy did if you want a more stock look and not custom.

 

If it was easy...
And if the OP painted them the paint won't chip off from use.

 

Wow, I never thought of that that's a great idea. My body is a Superior Glassworks and they don't make them anymore. The hidden ones are massive they will never break. I think I'll look in that direction.
Thanks Hank