Tasmin Door-cards
Discussion
The old door-cars were very tatty (like the rest of the interior!) so I've been experimenting with some new coverings. The hardboard cards were a bit ropy so I've made new ones from 3.6mm ply which is much more rigid than hardboard. The backs will be sealed with varnish so they won't be susceptible to damp.
Ignore the gaps and sags, there are no panel clips and the covering is just temporarily stapled on at the back until I can see what it all looks like.
No speaker holes at the moment; I'm thinking about mounting the speakers in the "voids" which are on the outer sides of the foot-wells. Anyone else done this?
Ignore the gaps and sags, there are no panel clips and the covering is just temporarily stapled on at the back until I can see what it all looks like.
No speaker holes at the moment; I'm thinking about mounting the speakers in the "voids" which are on the outer sides of the foot-wells. Anyone else done this?
Looking good Joe, while the ply is an obvious improvement over hardboard I've found Foamex board to be excellent for jobs like that.
Carriage costs can be a bit of an "issue" but look around locally for a sign and graphics company, that's where I got some at a very fair price
Tasmin200 said:
... How are those fixed to the plywood?
I binned the original clips and will be using "fir tree" clips eg this. Easy-peasey 
The fabric isn't glued on yet as I'm still experimenting. Once I'm happy, I'll fit the clips to the ply before I glue the fabric in place so that they will be invisible when the card is fitted.Edited by v8s4me on Monday 10th October 21:21
v8s4me said:
I binned the original clips and will be using "fir tree" clips eg this. Easy-peasey The fabric isn't glued on yet as I'm still experimenting. Once I'm happy, I'll fit the clips to the ply before I glue the fabric in place so that they will be invisible when the card is fitted.
Excellent idea, I had no idea such things existed. Mine need done and that's a good DIY solution. The fabric isn't glued on yet as I'm still experimenting. Once I'm happy, I'll fit the clips to the ply before I glue the fabric in place so that they will be invisible when the card is fitted.Edited by v8s4me on Monday 10th October 21:21
You used to be able to get the exact clips that TVR used from Vintage Supplies but it's been a few years - hell's teeth, probably 15 or more - since I bought any.
Speakers are at the mercy of rain entering the doors, especially paper coned variants. That and the fact that the overall flimsiness of the door trims means it's a bit of a pants location for them really.
Later doors had a bit of a 'drip rail' glassed-in over the speakers but it's still not brilliant. Perhaps if you could create some enclosures for them that mounted them more rigidly to the door and kept the weather out...?
Speakers are at the mercy of rain entering the doors, especially paper coned variants. That and the fact that the overall flimsiness of the door trims means it's a bit of a pants location for them really.
Later doors had a bit of a 'drip rail' glassed-in over the speakers but it's still not brilliant. Perhaps if you could create some enclosures for them that mounted them more rigidly to the door and kept the weather out...?
phillpot said:
Were (are) they like these?
There should be "keyhole" shaped holes in the door cards to allow the clips to be fitted/replaced without disturbing the vinyl covering.
Hmmm, similar, but longer as I recall. And white There should be "keyhole" shaped holes in the door cards to allow the clips to be fitted/replaced without disturbing the vinyl covering.
As you say, keyhole in the door card, clips slot in, hole drilled in door, line up, bang.
I made new cards for my Tasmin from 3mm ply, the old hardboard ones didn't like damp or rough handling. Usually when you tried to pop them off the clips would rip out instead.
This is what the original clips look like.....
From the shape of the top I'd guess there were designed to be twisted into the hole in the door-card after the fabric trim had been applied. This would have made the cards easier to store while the car was being assembled.
I can't see any advantage of this type of clip over the ones I'm planning to use.
If I can fit the speakers to the voids to the side of the foot-wells then that will avoid cutting holes in the ply. It's a lot stronger than hardboard but a 4" hole so close to the corner is still going to weaken the sheet in that area.
From the shape of the top I'd guess there were designed to be twisted into the hole in the door-card after the fabric trim had been applied. This would have made the cards easier to store while the car was being assembled.
I can't see any advantage of this type of clip over the ones I'm planning to use.
If I can fit the speakers to the voids to the side of the foot-wells then that will avoid cutting holes in the ply. It's a lot stronger than hardboard but a 4" hole so close to the corner is still going to weaken the sheet in that area.
Wedg1e said:
..... You did well to get them out intact, ...
They didn't all survive. After the hardboard gave way on a couple, the others had to be cut off with a hacksaw to preserve the original holes as a template.Grady said:
...... There is a factory-looking vent/grill on the lower rear of my right side door .....
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