I'm in the process of installing my door panels and I understand there should be 6 clips and corresponding plugs to secure the sides of the panels. I see where the plugs go in the door but my panels, not original, don't have any provisions for the clips. Is this typical of reproduction door panels? Do I need to cut holes for the clips? Is there a better alternative?

I just did this, there were holes precut into the door panels, some of the holes still had the template in them, you have to remove, then slip in the clips

I would do some careful measuring first.... When I tried to put my PUI panels on my Goodmark doors, none of the clips and socket holes lined up, ended up cutting new holes in the door panel cardboard for the clips.

Agree with the above,..the provisions in the panels for the push-clips are way off on the PUI panels, which is all I have experience with. And I find it very difficult to make the original clips work with the repo door panel, so,..I fab some clips that I attach to the door panel with epoxy, and it works great.

Would you consider velcro? Self adhisive backs and thin enough to work.

Velcro!! You've got it. I used Velcro on both sides of the panel, then a strip along the bottom. Use the 1 1/2 inch industrial strength variety.It even looks better, because there are no ugly screws along the bottom of the panels

Velcro is now the plan. I'll give it a try this weekend and let you know how it turns out.