door handles Apal speedster

door handles Apal speedster

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Jmb9090

Original Poster:

2 posts

53 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
In the 1980s, a Belgian company, named Apal, built a replica 356 speedster. Today, the company does not exist anymore.

Recently I purchased such a replica, but the door handles are in poor shape. The chrome has deteriorated and the plastic cap around the push button is cracking into pieces.

Therefor I would like to replace them. As kitcar manufacturer, probably they shopped somewhere to source their door handles.
I have tried to find out to which car model these handles should have originally belonged, but I cannot find the source.
Spares handle for a real Porsche 356 are completely different (Bodywork holes do not fit, since bolts are mounted on the outside of the push button)
The handle looks like the Fiat 500 handle, but the push mechanism is different. It also is quite lookalike to the Big Healey (BJ8), with a similar push mechanism, but does not seem to be the same.

Anyone who recognises this handle?

Mr-B

3,780 posts

194 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
Can't really help much but they have a very 60/70's generic look to them, could be from any parts bin from BL/Ford/Vauxhall of the time. I do sort of recognise them but only in so far as just mentioned.

Fastpedeller

3,873 posts

146 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
Any of the BMW mini ones similar? If you want to replace with similar (ie not exact) there are a few possibilities...…. Classic mini if you want to keep integral keyhole, MGB if you change to solenoid locks (or separate keyhole) or more obscure such as Triumph Herald.

LarJammer

2,238 posts

210 months

Tuesday 3rd December 2019
quotequote all
Apal cars were based on the Intermeccanica Speedster. But the IM car used VW parts. There were a few different types of handle used on the beetle so VW may be a good starting point.

Jmb9090

Original Poster:

2 posts

53 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
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Small update: bought a pair of Fiat 500 doorhandles, which are quite easy to source on the web, at no excessive cost.
Unfortunately only the chrome parts were useable without modifications. In order to have them working, I had to shape an flat inner plastic plate (took me a couple of evenings, making prototypes, until I got the right position of the push rod) and I had to make some connection between the push rod of the Fiat with the original push rod.
Finally, happy to have found a solution. Even the lock is working (with has not a lot of function, since it is an open car)