Fabricating Door Cards

[matt_vaughan]

I'm going to be making some lighter weight door cards for mine because I cant stand the original bulky items and want something somewhat lighter.

They will be carpeted/vinyl covered but was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what to make the actual card from?

I was thinking stiff thin board of some kind?
Or ally?

Also, I'm going to be needing some door handles and pockets of some sort, anyone any suggestions where to get something from?

Cheers

[Jack]

Carbon fibre would be your best bet for weight saving. The standard door cards really aren't all that heavy, most of the weight is in the pockets and handles - if you have a Mk2 you could fit smaller Mk1 pockets and handles.

[matt_vaughan]

Dont want to be spending as much as on CF items, but I want something less bulky than the standard ones.

Looking at just having some net type pockets and some bent ally door handles.

Anyone know a good kit car supplier or rally spares place that could supply those items?

[Iain]

Strip the door pockets, handles, etc off a standard one and it leaves a cardboard/woody board that hardly weighs anything, perfect for retrimming.

For a simple/lightweight handle to pull the door shut you could make a hole in it and tie something like an old seatbelt around the metal of the door and poking through the hole to pull? Or as you say, some ally handles bolted through.

[matt_vaughan]

Iain all that time the answer was always there.

Cant believe I didnt just think of recovering the originals.

Just had a thought, cant be hard to make up some sort of ally door handles, could make them to measure too.

[Iain]

lol

Alloy handles seem to be popular for classic cars/Minis, try a few Mini parts websites.

About half way down of the following, "Polished alloy or chrome door pulls.(Pair)"
http://www.classic-car-accessories.co.uk/acatalog/Accessories.html

Or:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alloy-Door-Handles-RACE-RALLY-Kit-Car-grp4-mk2-escort_W0QQitemZ290267029951QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2902670299 51&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alloy-Door-Handles-RACE-RALLY-Kit-Car-grp4-mk2-escort_W0QQitemZ290267029951QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_ CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2902670299 51&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318)