Hey does anyone know if there is any difference between a 79 camaro door and a 71 camaro door including anything for the door panel.

Exterior door handles are longer on the 70. I believe the inside door handles are different. You can get away with swapping a stripped door and replacing all the door hardware but you may be required to drill holes on the inside part of the door to make everything fit. It will work though but it is not as simple as most people think.

I'll agree, the outside bit is difficult to see, but I've also found the early handles hold up better. The stamping around that bit of door is a little different and if you don't keep with the same year handle it looks a little odd (if the little things bother you).

Inside? Yes, it's pretty different. The inside handle is rivited on and you'll have to drill it out if you want the early inside handle on the car (ie so your trim fits correctly) and the attachment for the door panel has a different hole pattern, as well as the metal itself being configured slightly differently. If I was swapping I'd just use '79 door panels, but they do tend to break the armrests...and originality is out the window.