Hi everyone, My body guy says my doors need a lot of work, and maybe I should start with another set. Anyone have experience with the reproductions? I see they are offered in two flavors: 1947-1950; and 1952-1954. If I understand it right, 1951 was an odd year. It was the first year of the vent windows, and last year of the turn down handles. So if I go with a later door, it's set up for pushbutton handles; will the pushbutton hardware work with the latch assemblies in my door frames? If I go with an earlier year, I don't get vent windows. Or can I put my existing vent window guts inside? Maybe I can convince myself that the pushbutton handles are an improvement (even though not original), and go with the later doors if I can't find a good used set of '51s. Other considerations? Thanks y'all.
Probably the easiest and by far the best would be to find a set of 52-55.1 doors and then get the Altman Trique Latch bear claw latches. Infinitely better than the factory latches and since you get both the latch in the door and the striker pin for the door pillar there is no mismatch of striker/latch problem. Ask anyone with the bear claw latch and they will tell you it was worth the price.
Once I get doors selected, I will think hard about Altman's - and I know Russ is the guy to talk to... I have pointed several folks his direction on Facebook, and they all seem happy, too.
Since you're in Kentucky, look for a derelict Bog 'Bolt rig, it'll usually be hammered but have rust free doors . You need to match the door to the striker in the jamb so I'd go with the 1951 doors too . Once you fix the loose hinges and get some decent latches, N.O.S. one litter the Mid West and that sometimes grumpy old guy in Arizona sold me a N.O.S. one for my '49 at the right price, maybe he has some left too..... Nothing wrong with the original doors & latches, they just get worn out or rusty .
