Door Cards

[JJ Autosleeper]

Hi.
I just discovered my door cards are steel. Rusty along bottom edge of course. See photos. I am assuming best way forward is to replace in ply or hardboard. Any advice from those in the know? Thanks.

 

[Panky]

You could replace them with ply but make sure the doors are sealed behind the cards or they will soon become a warped mess. It was only the earlier vans (up to '72 I think) that had the steel cards, later ones had full depth vinyl covered hardboard ones so not a new idea. Or you could always do a weld repair on the originals.

 

[JJ Autosleeper]

The doors are also rusty along the bottom and are going to have to be entirely redone with new runners (from MM) and seals. So I will probably go down the plywood route and may fit some plastic linings on the inner face of the ‘cards’ to help avoid rain running down the cavity side as I doubt any car/van is 100% waterproof given the 1950/60’s design. It will be a lighter solution as well. Thanks for reply.

 

[S0updragon]

Mine had to have the middles patched as they had water absorbing insulation in them which I think the reason to why they rusted out there as well

 

[H_CommerMan]

While removing the interior from my van before it goes to the restorers I found that the passengers door card is steel (and in very good condition), however the drivers door card is hardboard (presumably the steel one has rusted through previously). Does anyone know where I might be able to get hold of a steel drivers door card?

 

[Panky]

Hi Henry hope you are well. I can't help with advice on where to buy a steel door card but I made my own with a sheet of steel and bead rollered the edge to match the original then glued the original vinyl cover back on. A simple job for someone with basic equipment, they could even be flat and no need for the rolled edge,