Author Topic: Door handles - are these original?  (Read 6023 times)

abiddle

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 416
  • 1969 Camaro SS 350 - trim 719 52 52
    • View Profile
Door handles - are these original?
« on: February 29, 2016, 09:53:10 PM »
12 years ago I pulled the pitted door handles off and stored them, replaced with repros. As I gather up my chrome for replating, I decided to check them for numbers to confirm they are original before spending $100 each. No numbers, so I dig around a bit on ebay, and I see conflicting examples of NOS handles. Now I wonder if these are even original. Can anyone guide me on how to confirm? Is it weight, are there any measurements, or should I be able to tell by the mechanism?

As always - thanks again!
Andy

m22mike

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 286
    • View Profile
Re: Door handles - are these original?
« Reply #1 on: February 29, 2016, 10:51:26 PM »
Those look to be OE, there fat across the inside of the handle that you grab onto, newer repops have a sharp contour that feels different.

Mike
X66 L78 M22 4.10 Deluxe Threads, PNT 10/10, Red Hockey stripe

69Z28-RS

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5781
  • owner since 4-Apr-1976
    • View Profile
Re: Door handles - are these original?
« Reply #2 on: February 29, 2016, 11:11:43 PM »
It's getting pretty bad when we're afraid that we're about to restore an old 'reproduction' part..  :)
09C 69Z28-RS, 72 B 720 cowl console rosewood tint
69 Corvette, '60 Corvette, '72 Corvette
90 ZR1 red/red #246, 90 ZR1 white/gray #2466
72 El Camino, '55-'56-'57 Nomads, '55-'57 B/A Sedan

68camaroz28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2253
    • View Profile
Re: Door handles - are these original?
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2016, 12:52:39 AM »
Those look to be OE, there fat across the inside of the handle that you grab onto, newer repops have a sharp contour that feels different.

Mike

Mike is correct and a more accurate factor is to measure that inside width of the handle. 68 and prior they were around .540" thick but in 69 they became a little more narrower at about .440" but later service replacements taper and are only .285" wide where Mike is stating just grabbing a later service replacement handle and you know it. I had my originals re-chromed for that reason! But there are a lot of GM service replacements being advertised on ebay for big money and they are not correct. You grab one of those handles opening a door and you know its not correct.
Chick
68 Z/28 NOR 01B Orig motor/trans/rear
69 Z/28 NOR 07A Orig Block & GM Cross-ram/carbs
69 L34 Rest. Nova Father/Son Car
69 L78 Surv Nova Purch 4/69 31K miles
67 L89 Corv Tribute
68 Corv 427/400 Orig motor
07 Corv Z06
R 68Z build- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584

68camaroz28

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2253
    • View Profile
Re: Door handles - are these original?
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2016, 01:56:47 AM »
Here we go with some pics to see differences.
One can see how the difference can be easily noted with just grabbing a handle.

Our 68 door handles (also used prior years)


69 door handle a little narrower-


And later service replacement go quite bit narrower-


Also note that looking at the handle attached to the door the difference in width as shown in measurement is not noticed but again when the handle is grabbed it is quite obvious.
Chick
68 Z/28 NOR 01B Orig motor/trans/rear
69 Z/28 NOR 07A Orig Block & GM Cross-ram/carbs
69 L34 Rest. Nova Father/Son Car
69 L78 Surv Nova Purch 4/69 31K miles
67 L89 Corv Tribute
68 Corv 427/400 Orig motor
07 Corv Z06
R 68Z build- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584

abiddle

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 416
  • 1969 Camaro SS 350 - trim 719 52 52
    • View Profile
Re: Door handles - are these original?
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2016, 01:10:51 PM »
Thanks! Great information as always. Thanks for the pictures Chick, that cleared it up perfectly. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't have a micrometer in my garage, but I can see the difference just looking at them.

I haven't grabbed many 69 camaro door handles, but I'll make it a habit at the next show. :)

Andy

m22mike

  • Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 286
    • View Profile
Re: Door handles - are these original?
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2016, 01:22:24 PM »
Chick, your awesome, I borrowed your photos....  :>) Thanks.

Mike
X66 L78 M22 4.10 Deluxe Threads, PNT 10/10, Red Hockey stripe

 

anything