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Does anyone know what the material was for inner panels in group 30.2970?? It appears to be some kind of waterproof cardboard, but I can't find anything to substantiate that.

Randy, my guess would be they were probably an asphalt impregnated cardboard. Don't know but am thinking it might have been a different formula of what they used for the door panels only thinner-- almost looked and if I recall, felt like they were a really heavy type roofing "tar paper" type material. Have seen some that had kind of de-laminated and could almost be pulled apart in layers but in the heat still felt a bit sticky.

Howard, I think you are right. It would delaminate if it got too much water and no dryout time. I have a modern panel board which i guess I will have to use, but held out hope for the original stuff as it served well in the mayfair hardtop.

Randy,

The 1951-52 models used a stamped steel panel for this same application. That would be another option if you could find a set.

Brian

Do you mean the inner door panels and package tray? These are usually made of thin masonite or thick black cardboard.

You can buy suitable black cardboard material at any good upholstery supply shop. It does not have to be an auto upholstery shop. They have 2 thicknesses, thin for kitchen chair bottoms and thick for sofas and car doors.

The masonite you get at lumber yards is usually too thick and hard to work with. The cardboard does a better job.

Put a sheet of plastic on the door before you install the door panel. Seal around the edge with mastic or calking. This is what the car manufacturers used to do. All doors leak at the window, you must have drain holes in the door and waterproof your door panels.

Another good tip is to fasten the door panel on with Velcro. This is easier than the stock clips, which are usually missing or broken. Velcro makes it easy to get a good tight fit and easy to remove and reinstall the panel if necessary.

Quote:

Randy was referring to the pieces that cover the approximately 9-1/2" square access openings in the door inner sheetmetal. These were metal for 1951-53 and tar impregnated cardboard for 1955-56 models. I'm not sure about 1954 as there is a different number in the parts book, but probably a variation on the cardboard type.

Brian