Projects 41 plymouth coupe 392 hemi build thread

How about the early-mid corvette style handles that you push in and lever? I always thought that was a cool feature.

 

Thank you gentlemen.

I had a quick look at a few Vette's, I see what you mean. The problem with those door handles is that I have limited space inside the door in that area. Not sure if it would fit......Thank you for thinking along!

 

This is why I love this build - not just cuz its a Plymouth with a Hemi, although that is beyond cool - but the thought and craftsmanship that goes into ALL of the details, right down to the door handles blending in with the trim on the doors.

it will be one of those cars you look at and think - not sure why, but this thing is just awesome and I can't stop looking at it!!

Keep on it man, this thing needs to be finished!

 

I was thinking the same as hivolt5.0. use the pushbutton like what is found on early 40's? lincoln's and use door poppers to help push the door open. Your idea sounds kool also. does the handle you have there have a gentle curve outward from the door so if you look down the side of the car it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

 

Ditto.

 

Wow! Fantastic build with tons of detail!

Why not run the alternator off of a gear on the flywheel, or a belt off of the rear crank? You could cover/hide the alternator by the frame, and have an access door underneath the car, or in the floor of the car. It would keep the front of the engine clean and simple looking. JMHO.


With everything else I've seen in this thread, whatever you do is bound to be cool!

 

Love the door handle idea. I think it will blend in well and the MG handles are not huge and overpowering.

 

One more idea for you 1969-72 Pontiac Grand Prix door handles

 

Thank you AJ! I'm trying to get the car on the road this year, whether or not the interior will be completely done, will depend on $$. That may become my winter project.......

 

I restored a couple MG's (using that same door handle). Did you buy it new and what brand did you buy? I had a lot of problems with Victoria British parts. They tend to rattle around a lot while driving... took me a while to figure it out, but I spent the extra money for another brand and they didn't do it. After a while that pot metal crap that they use actually starts showing through. Just a thought. I like the idea though! Very cool

 

Thanks Scott! The MG door handles are NOS, in excellent condition. The rattling is probably caused by the nut not compressing the spring sufficiently at the back, from what I can see. I'm also looking into some Austin Healey door handles which nearly match the trim. Still need to decide....

 

Thank you aj! My humble attitude is going to prevent me from replying to your kind words.

The MG door handles are very refined. Off course they will stick out slightly, but at the same time will be recessed in the trim. There should be enough space to get a few (not too fat) fingers in.

Thank you K13! I'm also looking at Austin Healey door handles that may also work.

Thank you Smokeybear! I've tried to find the measurements on internet but to no avail. I think they may be too wide from what I can see. Thank you for the thought.

 

How wide is your trim? The door handles on my 48 are incorporated into the trim similar to what you are doing, maybe using pieces from a P15 can save you some work.
http://www.allpar.com/images/plymouth/1946/door-handles.jpg

You can kinda see it here.

 

Erik take a look at the 61 - 63 Thunderbirds. Use your stock trim with the push button, put an indent under the trim, re-inforce the trim where you would grab it to keep from pulling it out of shape. Those Birds had a 3/16 bar in the fender stainless with two #12 X 20 post with 3/8 nuts to hold them to the door. You couldn't pull those off the door with your hands.

 

Maybe something European fits the bill ?

 

The width of the trim is 20 mm.

 

Thank you Ford blue blood, I'll certainly look into it.

The other door handles I'm considering are from an Austin Healey. I still had an old one laying around which I thought may work. The only problems I see here is the required indentation in the door, limited space inside the door for the operating mechanism and the wrong width/shape........amongst others.

 

That is what I was talking about, see how that has a nice curve outwards away from the car. The width looks good from your pics. The shape I see it has a slight peak, wonder if you could grind it smooth and have them rechromed? What about making up your own mechanism and handle (like a piece of flat stock) and use a piece of the stock trim to cover the handle so it blends in with the rest of the trim. For the indentation, find a used door with a nice shallow belly in towards the door and graft them into your doors. This is going to be cool, I like the idea!

 

I wouldn't grind down the Healey handles as the won't be rechomeable due to the way they are made.

Eric you could carve some custom handles from stainless bar, It might be labour intensive but well worth the look.

 

Thank you for thinking along plmczy! Considering it was snowing here this afternoon and tooooo cold in the garage, I decided on a little brainstorming session in the kitchen with coffee and cigars. The problem with the Healey door handles is as follows. The indentation and mechanism will interfere with glass as it moves inwards considerably. There are also the window guides that will obstruct the free movement.

I've decided to go with the MG door handles and do a trial fit in the coming week(s). The advantage of this one is that the mechanism is more of less above the bear claw, only requiring a linkage of some sort. Also, I can cut two pieces out of the trim and hopefully recess it without the handle sticking out like a sore thumb.

There are two small buts......

1) the space behind the handle and trim is going to be limited. (but the bear claw exerts enough force to open the door).

2) after polishing the trim, I will only get once chance to cut the trim with my faithful Dremel. (going to be fairly nerve wrecking I would presume.)

Going to do some more measuring next week before the test fit. You know me, measure, think, measure, think and measure again.

Here are two pics of the MG door handles I'm probably going to use.

 

They look good Eric, will work the bear jaws off a small bell crank nicely.

 

Thanks Steve! The slight problem is that the "big" bear claws levers have an up or down motion, while the door handle mechanism goes "into" the door. Maybe if I connect the two with a rod at 45 degrees, this should work I think as long as there is no play.

 

I like the idea you have of recessing the door handles into the trim. This way it will look like the trim continues through the handle. Nice touch. Keep up the awesome and inspirational work farmer12.

 

Looks great, going to be a killer ride.

 

Thank you Hogman, glad you're still enjoying the thread.

Thank you 60 ford! A killer ride, that's the aim!

 

I've noticed this thread has already gotten a quarter of a million views, WOW! (a few thousand are probably mine from reading/answering the replies and questions.) Nonetheless, this is a nice opportunity to thank everyone, especially the die hard followers, for their suggestions, comments, thoughts and compliments. Without all of your input, I'm not sure this build would look the same. So a big thank you from me. Eric.

 

Your welcome and thanks for letting us help.

 

Ditto! Most of the time I don't have anything to say but you can bet I'm here every day. I'm really looking forward to seeing the video of this car on the road.

 

Eric here's an idea for you
forget about door handles, use the mirror as you way to get in and out of the car. grab the mirror and pull or push on it and the door pop's open. mirror on hinge or mirror is part of the hinge, to a cable to your bear claw and don't forget a spring on the mirror to keep it in one position.

wayne

 

I had excatly a same idea with my project.The law requires manual opening with shaved doors in here.I am not sure yet how to do it,but i guess i'll figure out something.