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Marcdeb
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019
Posts: 3245
Location: Vermont
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 Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2025 7:29 am Post subject: Karmann Ghia Reproduction Door Panels |
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These reproduction door panels are sold by multiple sellers on Ebay. they look closer to original in design and they have the two chrome bars which I like.
Has anyone tried these that can provide a review? Most of the ebay sellers of these are in Europe but I wonder if they are made in China??
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Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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Disc
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2009
Posts: 632
Location: Europe
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 10:53 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia Reproduction Door Panels |
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I've installed a lot of these. But in general I think theres two manufacturers - the "chrome bars" in one of them ends cuts sharp and the other is more rounded like the original ( I can provide photos). Overall fit is ok, materials are durable. Cons - 4 corner holes for mounting clips are way off and in most cases you cant use clip there, and sometimes holes for the clips on the doors are visible. Also sometimes holes for mounting inner door handle is a bit off (higher or lower) so my suggestion is to put few of the lower clips and try the door card on the door to check before mounting the hadle, maybe you need to make new holes. Otherwise good product. Only few basic colors.
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The glory never gets old, just need new paint.
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Nick |
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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10509
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia Reproduction Door Panels |
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I've not had these panels in my hands, but it looks like the center row of embossed panels (the two below the chrome trim strip) could lend themselves for painting with a contrasting vinyl spray paint color to match the seat colors...
Though that would look slightly more "period correct" on earlier cars, such as these original ones from moogie32's '63:
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Marcdeb
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2019
Posts: 3245
Location: Vermont
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| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 6:18 pm Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia Reproduction Door Panels |
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| Disc wrote: |
| I've installed a lot of these. But in general I think theres two manufacturers - the "chrome bars" in one of them ends cuts sharp and the other is more rounded like the original ( I can provide photos). Overall fit is ok, materials are durable. Cons - 4 corner holes for mounting clips are way off and in most cases you cant use clip there, and sometimes holes for the clips on the doors are visible. Also sometimes holes for mounting inner door handle is a bit off (higher or lower) so my suggestion is to put few of the lower clips and try the door card on the door to check before mounting the hadle, maybe you need to make new holes. Otherwise good product. Only few basic colors. |
Thank you for the information Nick. These are made in and shipped from Turkey so I was worried about surprise tariffs or customs fees but after some emails and making some calls, I was told there shouldn't be any additional charges so I decided to give them a try. I bought them late last Tuesday. They were shipped Wednesday morning and I had them on my porch at 3pm on Friday! Not bad for free shipping.
I'm impressed with these door panels. In my opinion, they look much better than the usual reproductions out there. I like that they have the metal strips, as well as the correct size pockets. Other reproduction panels have shorter pockets. These have sort of a puffy, quilted look, not as flat as originals, but overall, they look very nice.
I compared the mounting holes and you are correct, it seems like I will need to do a little work to install these. So far, I'm pleased with these.
_________________
Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio
Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata
68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc |
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Disc
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2009
Posts: 632
Location: Europe
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 1:20 am Post subject: Re: Karmann Ghia Reproduction Door Panels |
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They are made in Turkey indeed. I knew that but missed to point it. The quality is good, the same company makes door cards for a lot ot Mercedes models.
The puffy looks comes from a thin padding sandwiched between the front material and thin back material (vinyl?) usually brown in color, you can see the padding ones you try to open holes for window opener/winder - be careful, the padding can be pulled away easily.
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The glory never gets old, just need new paint.
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Nick |
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