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Rear Bulkhead Panel

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chrisc

chrisc

Senior Member
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A former DPO cut massive holes in the rear panel and rear panel cover in my 80 LE for 6" x 9" speakers. The rest of my panels are in pretty good shape. I'm only wanting to buy the rear bulkhead, but it would seem that it can only be purchased as part of an overall panel kit. Anybody know of a source for just the bulkhead panel itself?
 
I don't think its available anywhere new.
 
Vic Brit has it listed in their cat. Part no. 11-846 $69.95
Moss doesn't show it.
 
Morning Chrisc, I have found a business in Pensacola FL that will make new panels for me here. Not sure about the "Bulkhead Panel" but will do door panels including new boards for $125 per panel installed. Not sure if it would not be better to just order new interior kit.
Tom.
 
Well, guess I need to become more knowledgeable about the VB catalog 'cause there it is!
 
Ahh, educational reading on those long flights.
 
Thanks for the VB tip Paul, I've looked through the catalog multiple times and did not see it either! Makes me wonder what else I've been missing!! Tom, you are right, without the VB tip, probably easier to buy the whole panel set and sell the pieces I don't need.
 
Ok,

Point of clarification regarding what I am looking for. I can see the rear bulkhead "steel" replacement panel listed in the VB catalog. I guess I should have been more specific, I am not wanting to replace the bulkhead itself, as I think it is structurally sound, even with the speaker holes. What I want is the bulkhead cover panel that is part of the door panel kit you normally buy. That is the piece that I have not seen from any vendors (supports your comment Tony!), that, if not sold separately, I probably should just buy the entire panel kit...I can solve the problem from the trunk-side by putting in a trunk carpet kit.
 
Absolutely! Making interior panels is quite easy. Be aware it is hard to find the exact thickness masonite type OEM board. Uphostery shops may have it...I used a couple of 2'x4' handipanels from Home Depot to do the entire car. The material had a very similar "feel" in that one side (the vinyl material side) is smooth and the "back" side has a molded "window screen" like texture resembling the original. The handipanels are a full 1/8 inch thick whereas the original is more like 3/32" or maybe a bit less. I did not find the difference signficant in appearance or installation. Use the old panels as patterns...a sabre saw works fine and a bit of hand sanding or a judicious touch with a belt sander here and there finishes the edges. Test fit the new panels to be sure and allow for the thickness of the new vinyl wrapping around to the back for a good fit. The screw holes left in the old panels can help locate new ones if you don't want to drill new ones through and into the metal. You'll note the original panels were pre-drilled but often not hit by the original installation screws. Because the new panel material might be quite hard, consider relieving the material side holes with a countersink a bit to enable the inverse cupped washers to settle in more for a flush finish. You'll need to purchase the vinyl material to cover the new panel...and you'll have a lot left over if you do just the rear bulkhead. But the total cost (around $35 for the material for a yard and the panel material of a couple bucks per panel) should be a lot less than a whole panel kit...and if you want to do the rest of the panels, you'll be set...except for the doors. My car's panel screws were in a bit of a mess (some were missing or needed cleaning up with a wire wheel in a bench grinder) and I ordered a Moss screw set figuring on new ones. The cupped washers do not match the original style, however, and I modified the few I needed in a small lathe to match the originals. Probably too much attention to originality!

Good luck...the results can be rewarding!

Bill
 
I usually just go to my local upholstery shop & get a piece of their black hardboard that they use for backing panels, etc...once cut & either screwed on or pop riveted, you can't tell the difference between it & the original piece you're talking about.
 
Uh-oh. Here's where I step squarely off the "originality" bus. I will preface this with the statement that my car will be a driver. Perhaps not exactly a daily, but certainly a car to be used regularly.

My interior panels are of a 3/16" thick polycarbonate. No more water avid materials in my cars. Closed cell foam for padding. To attach them on the various body parts I first drilled out the original holes and set "NutZert" inserts in them (#6-32 machine thread). The panels are held in place with stainless screws and Dorman stainless (745-004) "flush, #6 finishing washers" which approximate the originals well enough to suit me. Though we've not sewn the piping and pleats into the final panel covers yet, I have covered the rear panel and the driver's door one with the same material we'll make the finished ones from and it is a very pleasing answer to the warped, disintegrated originals and the rusty stripped out sheetmetal self-tappers holding the scraps in place.

296258-rear_panel4.jpg
 
And the door:

296262-doorpanel-1.jpg


Pardon the poor door handle... it was close to hand. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
Hey guys, great suggestions, thanks!

In thinking about cutting a new panel, I may just use the holes in existing panel as a template and cut some filler pieces out of similarly sized material. That would only then require me to get some vinyl to complete the job.
 
Nothing wrong with that, Doc!
 
Bingo, we have.. oh wait that's something else.
 
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