The previous owner of my hudson decided to paint the door handles black on my car and Instead of trying to find a decent replacement set I thought about using the Lincoln door buttons on all 4 doors but they are pricey. I came across these on ebay they waterproof aluminum buttons I was thinking of getting them and shaving the handles and installing these was wondering if they would look the part or scream out to new for use on a 50 s style custom. What's your thoughts good or bad. From what I can tell the nut holds it on the back so it just be the aluminum round part showing.
They look like an electrical push button. If so, you can hide a button anywhere you can, and NOT see it. For another alternative, search out a how to I did many years ago, on how to make a flush mounted mechanical way to work the door latch mechanism. All you need is a freeze out plug, a piece of tubing a bit larger than the plug, a bolt, a fender washer and a spring. From a short distance, you won't see the button at all. and it does not rely on electric 'anything'!
Wow that's a killer custom I'd love to see more pics of that. I don't mind the electric I did a set on an o/t truck and I just built the system with a cable pull hidden in the fender in case of a dead battery. I was going to shave everything and put these in place of the handles I don't think they would look bad not hidden if they were ugly I could always paint them to match I guess if I had any trim on my car I could hide them in that but I think they would be more convenient right where the handles are
I believe there was a gentleman just recently selling them here on the hamby, and they looked pretty nice. Even had available a recesed plate/panel available.
Go find an old issue of CKDeluxe -August, 2009, on page 24/25 I did a 2-page 'tech' article on how to make flush push button door releases (and I suspect similar to ChopOlds' releases) with some metal tubing, chair glides, a cotter pin, a spring and some welding...works on just about all early GM products and some early Fords...might work on your Hudson if the door handles are push button type releases... Best part is we had less than $20.00 in two releases...!!! R-
I used a key fob remote to control a solenoid that opened the drivers door along with a popper to push it open. Had a hidden button as a backup in case of a lockout or dead fob. If the car battery is dead what do you need to get in it for? BTW the hood could be opened from the outside.
Those buttons at the top of the page scream out "HARDWARE STORE". If you want it to look real 50's authentic, not 80's smoothie, you need either some Lincoln buttons (about $100 each) or Coolstuff's new repros (cheaper).
Oops, not Coolstuff, it's CoolHand: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/logic-industries-llc-belle-mo.829281/ And I guess his price is right around the same as originals, but his come with an easier mounting method. A large nut rather than a small screw from behind.
Cool Hand's Lincoln buttons look period correct and work great. You can used them with electric or mechanical actuation. For a 'clean' look-this is the way to go
A company called Logic Industries, www.logic-industeries.com is now making what they call "Baby Lincolns". They are a little smaller, at one and one half inches in diameter but look similar the '46 to '48 Lincolns.
Guess I'm the odd man out but having had solenoids and remote openers in the past I have now embraced the lowly door handle,standing out in the rain with a hammer in hand trying to decide which window to extract with a mighty but swift blow still conjures up bad memories. HRP
I agree-I just converted my doors from electric fob controlled actuators back to a mechanical actuation using Lincoln door buttons. Looks clean and best of all- No more worries.
I saw a tech write-up were a guy used 3/16 brake tubing just long enough to come within a 1/16 of the door actuater and drilled a hole in the flush mounted shaved sheetmetal.You just use a little 2 inchpiece of weld rodto open the door.But of course anybody can get in your car also.But it looks good and non-electrical!
Wow those are very nicely made but 400+ in buttons is out of my price range right now I could probably get my handles re chromed for that. Not saying there not worth it but I can't justify it right now. I don't mind the electronic openers but I loose stuff to easy to keep the key fob I actually made the ones I had from power door lock actuators from the junkyard but the one time my battery died I was mad so I ran a 3/16 cable through the door in and then into the front fender opening I put some vacuum or plastic airline on it where it went through the door so it wouldn't rattle so I always had a mechanical means to open a door. Maybe I'll just hide the buttons somewhere or something like that or maybe lockable mechanical push buttons robbed off something? Anyway thanks for the ideas and thoughts. I did order the buttons i first pictured they were only 10 bucks so i figured i would use them for something eventually. Maybe i can get them apart and get the little grooved dishes machined in them if there thick enough and have some cheap fake lincoln buttons
These are the ones I got. Shipping will probably take forever from China don't know if I'll use mine yet or not gonna see what they look like when they get here http://m.ebay.com/itm/151314689025?nav=SEARCH
16mm is only about 5/8", which seems pretty small if they're going to be on your doors (if they are hidden inside a wheel well or wherever they'd be fine I guess). If they're going to be seen, I'd aim for 25mm (1") or so.
I built a set like that. With the chair glides. Turned out fantastic. They are stainless steel so I think they will outlast me.
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