1940 Dodge door panel pics?

[Guest tagree01]

Hey guys, I am just about to redo the upholstery on the 1940 Dodge business coupe. I am wondering if anyone has pics of what the original inside door panels looked like. I am not trying to restore the car, but I'd kinda like to incorporate design elements from the original in my new panels.

I already have an idea for the seats, but I might change my mind if the original seats have a good design.

[40phil41]

My '40 Dodge 4 dr. door panels are not 100% original. I went simple (i.e. less $$ to have made). Where you see the two horizontal lines up top the originals have a cross-hatch sort of pattern in between. I'm sure I have a photo of the original design somewhere but it'll take me a while to find it.

(Yes those are 46-48 handles; I like them better.)

Phil

[40phil41]

Forgot to mention that different '40 Dodge models had different door panel designs sewn in. What I described above is for the 1940 Model D-14 'Custom' model cars. As far as I know, the Deluxe and Deluxe Specials had a slightly different design. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Phil

[Bob Riding]

Here is the interior of my 1940 Dodge Business coupe, and the original brochure pic. Mine is close - the color is actually fairly accurate - kind of a tan with greenish garnish molding.

Bob

[Guest tagree01]

Great. Thanks guys.

[BobT-47P15]

One of the best sources of old car pics can be ebay. Sometimes. If you know what you are looking for/at. Someone selling a very original car may have lots of pictures including interior. If you know what the panels should

look like, you can tell if they have been modified much. Might even get a good idea for some other way to do it. So, occasionally that can help.

[Guest tagree01]

One of the best sources of old car pics can be ebay. Sometimes. If you know what you are looking for/at. Someone selling a very original car may have lots of pictures including interior. If you know what the panels should

look like, you can tell if they have been modified much. Might even get a good idea for some other way to do it. So, occasionally that can help.

Good advice. I'm an eBay addict. The only original-looking 1940 Dodge coupe I have seen in recent memory is this one. The upholstery didn't look original to me, but now I think it may be. I was expecting it would be a little more stylish, but it is kinda plain.

[40phil41]

Here is a photo of the 'original' door panels for a 40 Dodge. This is an ebay photo and is identical to what was originally on my car.

Phil

[Guest tagree01]

Here is a photo of the 'original' door panels for a 40 Dodge. This is an ebay photo and is identical to what was originally on my car.

Phil

Thanks Phil. Great pic. Are the designs stitched into the fabric, or is the fabric just glued into channels cut in foam?

[40phil41]

I don't really know. My upholstery guy thought they might be press formed in some way but I haven't taken one apart to find out.

Phil

[Robert Smith]

I'd say that pattern is pressed in, that's how it strikes me.

Now, if you notice that pattern is identical to the trim along the side of the hood! The original pattern is rather attractive I think, today we don't see many '40 Dodge cars on the road especially with original interior, or restored to original.

Friday I'm flying to Tucson to pick up a '40 Dodge four door… The previous owner had the seats and door panels redone… They're very close to original, I'll post photos here when I arrive home with the car.

=R

Edited February 29, 2012 by Robert Smith

[40Dodgesurvivor]

Here is a pic of our 1940 D17 door panels. I'm anxious to see how yours turns out. It is nice to see some other 1940's out there.

On the glove box lock, it took me months to find one but they do come up occasionally.

[40Dodgesurvivor]

Our 1940 is the "Special". It did not have the chrome horn ring and the interior trim is woodgrain. As far as I know the interior is all original (it looks it) but I'm curious if the doors ever had the Dodge "badge" on them. I don't believe so. Enjoy your "new" car.

[Robert Smith]

Here's an interior photo I took when I first looked at the Dodge I'm picking up this weekend.

You can see the door panel on the passenger side, as you can see, it's a grouping of horizontal lines stitched into the cloth. And a matching set of lines on the seat. This I would say was an earlier job maybe only 10 years old or so. It's not exactly stock but, looks nice enough.

As you can see, the light switch was moved to where the throttle knob was. I have two P-15 knobs that I will use in place until I locate the correct knobs. A light switch and the throttle assembly I believe I have. If you look closely, you cans see a modern cluster of gauges in the glove box area... I'll have to re-connect the gauges on the dash and see which ones are operational.

Also, needing to find the lower left corner trim on the dash... Also a interior rear view mirror.

Aside from the interior items, the car starts, drives and breaks like new. Only has 47,000. miles on her and no real damage or cracks in the wheel that I saw. A good repaint of the wheel will happen very soon. :-)