Need smooth door handle ideas... [Archive]

smooth68

10-08-2009, 07:45 PM

Just trying to get some ideas on door handles for my 68 r/s camaro....Body is almost complete, going for a really smooth look, firewall smoothed all marker lights filled front fender splash welded to fenders, cowl and header panels welded to front fenders (no front bumper), rear bumper shortened, shaved, de-chromed and welded to body, no body emblems....
I like the "shaved" door handle look but I dont want to do that...I would like to take the door handles from some thing like an Olds Aurora or similar and use them...I was just wondering if anyone else has done this, and I would like to see some pics if possible before I do it!....also wondering if there is any problem with the hardware, mounting, etc....

Any experieced response or pics would be greatlt appreciated!!!:hail:

cluxford

10-08-2009, 09:51 PM

I have a 68 Camaro

Smoothing it all
- shaved drip rails
- filled side markers
- no badges
- flush door handles
- etc etc...much of what you are doing

I used GM door handles from the early 2000's

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/IMG_3380-1.jpg

I can talk through how...

wellis77

10-08-2009, 09:59 PM

I can talk through how...

That would be awesome if you don't mind posting. I'm curious about what is involved in this as well. I'm planning much of the same but don't want to completely shave the door handles.

Mr.VENGEANCE

10-08-2009, 10:27 PM

those are SICK cluxford!

smooooth!

cluxford

10-08-2009, 11:32 PM

As you can see in the pic above we cut the whole handle and surrounding panel out and weld that in. For the mechanism we leave the original latch and striker, Prob is the original handle "pulls" the mechanism up, the later model handles "push" the mechanism down. So we simply played around with switching this around. Flipped the mechanism on the back off the latch upside down. All good. Actually wasn't that hard of a job just fiddly

Here is a current pic of the car.

We have flushed the glass as well.

Interior is 100% smooth. Metal hood liner, new metal dash (custom), full metal console right through to rear parcel shelf. All switches, buttons, trans shifter, everything will be hidden under a metal panel. You will literally see only the twin Dakota Digital gauges and the steering wheel inside the car, everything else is hidden

New set of Rushforth's coming soon

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/IMG_0971-1.jpg

wellis77

10-08-2009, 11:49 PM

More pics, more pics! Some interior shots too of your dash. OR, start a build thread if you don't have one already.

Thanks for the info by the way. I need to start looking for a donor.

cluxford

10-09-2009, 01:13 AM

Build thread here...but not updated for a long time
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39732

Photobucket link
http://s156.photobucket.com/albums/t37/cluxford/

Interior pics

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/IMG_0596-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/IMG_0597-1.jpg

cluxford

10-09-2009, 01:15 AM

Sorry for the thread hijack !!

Mr.VENGEANCE

10-09-2009, 07:04 AM

Hijack?.. id say that its the answer to his question.

smooth68

10-09-2009, 06:17 PM

No highjack....Those handles are exactly what I was looking for, and the pics of the dash are a bonus!....I am also doing flush mount glass....What did you cut the door handles from?...are they going to be painted to match the body? I plan on painting the handles to match the body...I will be going to the salvge yard next week to try to find some....Thanks, Rob

sunkistcamaro

10-09-2009, 06:53 PM

I love the door handles.
Those look like the ones on the 04 GTO body I just sold.
I have a guy picking it up Sunday. I should cut them out just in case...

manicmechanic

10-10-2009, 07:22 AM

Another Plus to look for in the handles is ones without locks in them, Really finishes it out nicely with no key holes. I did this with my 06 Daytona and granted the battery is in the trunk and factory lock/unlock solenoid but you should be able to figure something out.

PT Sportwagon

10-10-2009, 08:50 AM

How about the old school Buick Riv. They are thin with only a small bump sticking out that you press then pull the rest of the handle.

Tim

msgnfg

10-10-2009, 08:37 PM

Robert - have you decided how much of the firewall you are going to smooth? Just delete the heater and some of the holes, leaving the factory cowl seam, or delete everything? If you can't tell, I'm struggling with a similar question...

msgnfg

10-10-2009, 08:38 PM

By the way - killer '68 Chris!!

cluxford

10-11-2009, 01:31 PM

Rob, I am in Australia. They are out of a 2002 Commodore. I believe all GM handles were pretty much the same at that stage. I am led to believe Impala's of around the same year model have those handles, and can confirm a Pontiac GTO (which was imported from Oz) of 2000 - 2005 have those same handles.

Yes mine will be painted to match the body

smooth68

10-11-2009, 02:29 PM

smooth68

10-11-2009, 02:32 PM

Thanks Chris for all the info and pics, the GTO handles have already caught my eye but likely hard to find...However, there should be plenty of Impalas out there!

smooth68

10-11-2009, 02:34 PM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/3DSCF0030JPGw300h225-1.jpghttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/blank-1.gifhttps://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/blank-1.gif
Here's the firewall Neil...note the filled in cowl vents too!

2ndgenhunter

10-11-2009, 06:16 PM

Another handle you might want to look at is the 90- 97 miata.

msgnfg

10-11-2009, 08:31 PM

I failed to notice the cowl vent deletes until you mentioned it.

Did you graft in your own tunnel transition? Yours looks really clean compared to mine in stock configuration. It's going to look good - thanks for the pic!

smooth68

10-14-2009, 04:45 PM

:twothumbsWell I found em....took the rear handles (no key holes) from a 2001 Olds Aurora...They are really gonna look SAWEEEEET, I will take pics after the work is done...Thanks all, for the pics and advise!

MonzaRacer

10-14-2009, 04:48 PM

Check these out , very cool :http://claytonmachine.com/prd_elipdh.html

smooth68

10-15-2009, 04:58 PM

"Check these out , very cool :http://claytonmachine.com/prd_elipdh.html"

Dont care much for the door handles, I think they would look good on an old rat rod or 30s or 40s coupe IMO but not a first gen Camaro.....I do however like some of the other products they sell! Thanks

manicmechanic

10-16-2009, 07:37 PM

"Check these out , very cool http://claytonmachine.com/prd_elipdh.html

Dont care much for the door handles, I think they would look good on an old rat rod or 30s or 40s coupe IMO but not a first gen Camaro.....I do however like some of the other products they sell! Thanks

Fixed.

daredvl22

10-17-2009, 10:21 AM

I'm looking to do the same, kinda.... I'm in the process of working with Ring Brothers to make me these 1 off handles for my '67. I figure I might as well share.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro1-1.jpg

wellis77

10-17-2009, 11:13 AM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro3-1.jpg

Oooooh, I want a set of those... Even IF they do say Camaro.

Mr.VENGEANCE

10-18-2009, 05:51 AM

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

smooth68

10-21-2009, 02:47 PM

smooth68

10-21-2009, 03:40 PM

Any opinions??

The Stickman

10-21-2009, 06:20 PM

I'm looking to do the same, kinda.... I'm in the process of working with Ring Brothers to make me these 1 off handles for my '67. I figure I might as well share.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro3-1.jpg

Those are alot like what was on old Pontiac Grand Prix's
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/268110160_1e593148ce-1.jpg

cluxford

10-22-2009, 12:49 AM

Well here are a few picks of the Olds Aurora door handles on my 68... Still lots to do to make em right but thought I'd shoot a couple of pics anyway...so give me some honest opinions!

Also a pic of the smoothed cowl!

Robert, they look awesome but you know I am biased. I really like them. I assume you will be painting them same colour as the car

smooth68

10-22-2009, 06:58 AM

Thanks Chris, Yep I will be painting them to match the body....I'm still trying to get used to the "no keyhole" look!

tranny

10-22-2009, 08:05 AM

or you could shave the door completely. Although that would be dumb, according to some. Works for me.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=big&p=6267

smooth68

10-22-2009, 03:50 PM

Damn Dave, those handles are bad a$$...are they going to make them for you?

camaro2nv

10-22-2009, 06:13 PM

Oooooh, I want a set of those... Even IF they do say Camaro.
OH YOU HAD TO POST THOSE!:yum:

smooth68

11-21-2009, 08:27 PM

Do you make these?Thanks

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro1-1.jpg[/QUOTE]

daredvl22

11-22-2009, 09:58 AM

No, just a concept I've been thinking about doing on my build. I have a qoute to make them, but it's VERY high. So, I'm stilling debating....would be very cool, and different. I've also thought about the new Nissan GT-R handles. Similar design, but pricey.

railin93

11-22-2009, 05:32 PM

it would have been awesome to see a new corvette type cutout in the rear quarter/door for handles...smoothed with the body but only enough finger access to open the door...

railin93

11-22-2009, 05:35 PM

the ring bro concept handles remind me of the "New-Mad" handles that blended with the stainless trim...nice idea but i see scratches galore coming from rings and a potential broken handle...billet or steel?...

smooth68

11-23-2009, 05:46 PM

These are the ones I am referring to!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/10/camaro1-1.jpg[/QUOTE]

daredvl22

11-25-2009, 06:23 AM

Robert,

Maybe if there was enough interest to get these made, we could get a group discount. This was a design I gave Ring Bros as a concept for my build. However, the R&D to make and design something like this is expensive. They already told me they could make them, fully functional. I'm sure if anyone else out there is interested, we could get them made without the Camaro machined in the handle. Just throwing it out there!

wellis77

11-25-2009, 06:34 AM

I'm interested. Would definitely be price dependent but I really like them and would like to smooth out my own doors but would rather not shave them.

Mr.VENGEANCE

11-25-2009, 06:44 AM

should try and hit up Fesler about those... cat is probably the most interested in doing one off things like that.. and probably has the capabilities to do it also.