Time to get the interior back together. After a couple hours searching and reading old posts (John (boodlefoof) great page on setting up unassembled door panels.) and some time looking through catalogs (rick's & d&R), I find myself more confused than ever, and ready to turn to the experts for some guidance.

For a 68 vert, black standard interior, I need the following:
Door panels (my stainless trim is good, fuzzy's are too, but those metal staples seem kinda scary)
Rear qtr stuff, including: Armrest panels (metal base, vinyl glued on, assume I'll have to peel off the old and glue on the new.
Top side panels: (flush with the arm rest panels, also metal, assume same installation)
And the panel where the window crank and fuzzy is (made same as door panel, cardboard bottom, metal top. my fuzzy's here are screwed on, in good shape, and seem same type as doors)

Found these 2 kits in Ricks, not sure what the difference is, they say "front and rear door panels, how much of the rear is there?
dp26 basic unassembled door panel kit $94.95 -- Assumed to be PUI
dp36 complete unssaembled door panel kit $150.05 -- Assumed to be PUI, seems to include some extra parts but I don't know what they are...

And this: Gold Edition unassembled Assuming a different manufacturer?? Who else make repro interiors besides pui?

And the very expensive assembled panels -- Assumed to be PUI

So not only am I not sure who makes the best stuff, I'm not sure what stuff to buy to make sure I get all 3 parts for the back. Is it worth it to pop foir the assembled panels? Is the included trim the same quality polished stainless as original? what about those cursed fuzzy's?

nobodies bought a vert interior in recent memory?
Those assembled door panels with platic instead of metal at the top are long gone, right?

Hope I don't have to throw myself at the mercy of some commissioned salesman.

I bought the "Gold Editon" unassembled door panels from Rick's and was not happy. I sent the first pair back, and when the second set arrived, I took them directly to the upholsterer and didn't check them, big mistake. I didn't like them any better. The chrome looking trim that encircled the center on the panel was loose and coming off. When I picked them up, I wasn't happy. The panel quality didn't look good, the guy used rivets on the weatherstripping instead of the staples, he took too long, and he charged too much.

For the price difference, I wish I had stayed with the less expensive ones. Make sure any assembled panel you get have the metal top piece, I hear the ones with plastic are problems. The next ones I get, I'll do myself.

TZ

Can't comment on the camaro convertible panels specifically but i just did the interior panels on my 70 chevelle. I bought the cheaper unassembled panels from PUI and built them myself. Its not hard and they came out real nice. I heard bad things about the PUI 'Gold' edition, like the chrome strips not staying on. I bought the cheaper front and rear panels for my 68 coupe a few years back from PUI and they were fine.

well got the drivers side glass set better than ever, time to put a door panel on... Shoddy, tx for your help in chat last night, I'll be tackling that nasty pass side door glass soon (er or later!)

except...the darned thing either needs some stretching or it's too short. The door latch and window crank are hitting high and back on the prepunched holes. The holes for the tabs are high on the back, usable on the front. the rear corner is so bad the hole in the door for the bottom screw is out in the air!!!

These are standard assembled PUI door panels (68) They wre bent a lil bit in the packaging.

Will they relax and "stretch" a bit? I can deal with that other stuff but it would be real handy if they would at least cover that screw hole in the bottom corner of the door.

They should call these thing Peeuuiii!

Im currently re-doing my interior in my 68 Convert with Deluxe interior. I purchased the Ed Knoch (deluxe) door panels from Ricks and they have been a pain in the butt. They look good but plan on spending some time working the top trim with the staples and fitting them on the new door panel. Also the Camaro script emblem stems aren't long enough to get the backs on them so you will have to glue them to the new panel. I had to do some roto zipping of the back door clip holder positions to get the door to line up with my doors. I figured these door panels were an exact fit, but they arent. Also when installing the new panel, it didnt fit correctly on the top, I had to do allot of bending to form it to fit correctly (or as close as I could get it). I am just starting to tackle the driver side door panel and am dreading doing it.
I am waiting for my rear panels to show up along with the rear arm rest and well covers. I got the assembled rear panels, Im hoping they show up in good condition as hearing the horror stories of them.
Also my seat covers should get here as well, but those are being taken into the shop to be done. I think because of the hurricane shipments are delayed, hope they get here soon.

Anyone having any advice for me pipe in..

update: the drivers side door panel fit like a dream, i think the passenger side is not formed right on the top. I already installed the trim, emblem and top so I think Im screwed for returning it for one that isnt defective, Im going to try anyways. If its defective it shouldnt make a difference...Im am really depressed right now.

Well, my door panels went back today, traded for a set of unassembled pui standard 68 door panels. This way I can assemble them myself, and between using the original metal top with the correct bend and making sure they are long enough to reach the bottom screwholes, it should be all good.

The holes for the pushpins are a mess though, only 4 there, and 2 of those are in the wrong place. Any hints for making those holes without cutting through the foam and the vinyl?

On the subject of repro parts, it took me 2 hours to install one repro outside door handle. The pin off the button was too long (not a big deal) and the large part that goes into the door was substancially larger than the hole in the door...

When I took em back, the guys at D&R were very aware that they didn't fit...said they sent back a bunch of 68 standard door panels last month, and the handles never fit and never will...they suggested bad repro parts were better than no parts at all...

You will be much happier with the unassembled panels.They are more work but at least you can get them right.

I wish I would of had my original door panels re-covered. I did get my pre assembled convertible aft panels from Ricks First Gen today but they are crap. Not even glued together right or even the right shape. Waste of $140- Dont waste your money, get your old ones re-covered, you will be much happier.

Jim- On the door panel pin placement I used a roto zip to route the placements to fit the pin holes. I had to do that to all of them, a dremel will work as well. The heat gun on the top inside plastic will heat it up enough to form it as well. I didnt even have to use the screw holes in the bottom because they actually fit well after doing both actions above. Good Luck they are alot of work and not as described when they say an exact repo, thats a bunch of bularky.

Well, I got both of the rear window peices done (where the window cranks are) they turned out good. Gonna work on the door panels this afternoon, got the drivers side nearly apart, just wanna make sure the original panels lower screw holes line up with the holes in the repro doors before I take the metal off the cardboard.

Pulled the other rear parts, the well side covers and armrest covers off. Ny originals have some sort of thin padding under the vinyl, the new ones don't. What have you guys used? and what do you use to attach it? Thinking the spray trim adhesive will soak into foam and make a mess... maybe spray mount like my wife uses to mount pictures?

Also my rear ashtrays are uglier than I thought, and the cover springs r shot. They are the ones with 3 grooves in the lid, can they be had?

Jim,

I took my well and side covers to an upholstery shop to do them along with my new seat covers. Didnt even want to attempt them. But I have used spray adhesive in the past and it worked just fine.

For the ash trays I re-used the outer and bought new inners. You can use OO (Double 0) steel wool to clean them up, just make sure you blow out any residue because the steel wool particles will rust. But I have found that steel wool works excellent on all your chrome or stainless. Cleans them up real nice and doesnt scratch. If you cant fix them any of the Camaro aftermarket shops sell them. Look at my website and click links and Ive got a few Camaro parts places to research.

Good Luck.

I've read here that the repro ashtrays are flat on top, don't have the 3 grooves an original has. I'll try to polish it out with steel wool, but I got a fingerprint sized rust spot in one lid, donno if it will come out.

Anyone on that padding? Can you even get the stuff the factory used or should i just get some 1/4" foam?