Shaved P-15 door handles

[bob westphal]

For those custom guys out there: Rod & Custom Magazine's Aug '07 issue has a great article on solenoid operated door conversion on a P-15 for those that like a smooth door. This will work on any MoPar that has the handle shaft that goes directly into the latch assy.

There is also a very interesting article on brakes. Includes info on disc, drum, power conversions.

[Norm's Coupe]

Bob,

Are they using the 6 or 12 volt system for the shaved door handles? I've seen a lot of 12 volt systems, but no 6 volt ones.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have not seen this article but found the old rotary latches just to worn, and requiring too much pull and care not for cables..so went this route..quick and easy fix...stock inside handle still used...

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=45

[Norm's Coupe]

Tim,

I believe you are using 12 volts too. I don't want to convert to 12 volts. I want to use the stock latches, just shave the outside handles if I was to do it.

It can be done that way, with a manual, non electric latch system. They use to do it in the 50's on a lot of cars. I just don't know how they did it. Some guys even shaved the handles and just used a push button latch on the door to open it with. Others had some type of cable system that ran either under the car or inside the wheel well. Both ways were non electric. That's what I'm looking for. The true "old time nostalgic way". There are all kinds of new electric systems for 12 volts out there. Don't want any of those.

[Young Ed]

Norm I doubt they are 6v. Anyone customizing there car enough to go to shaved door handles would usually do a 12v conversion.

[Norm's Coupe]

Norm I doubt they are 6v. Anyone customizing there car enough to go to shaved door handles would usually do a 12v conversion.

Ed,

I agree. Today custom people probably all switch over to 12 volts so it doesn't matter to them. But.......like I said, there are other ways because back in the day they weren't even electric doors, just cables hooked up somehow, or with rods to activate them. I'm looking for that system if anybody out there knows how they use to do it. In the day, people didn't switch to 12 volts, they used the old 6 volt system, even in the race cars.

[Young Ed]

I've got a ton of old car craft and hot rods from the late 50s and early 60s sitting around. If I happen upon a how to I will send it your way. The 50 plymouth we have with shaved door handles has no system in place. Apparently they just always opened it from the inside.

[Norm's Coupe]

I've got a ton of old car craft and hot rods from the late 50s and early 60s sitting around. If I happen upon a how to I will send it your way. The 50 plymouth we have with shaved door handles has no system in place. Apparently they just always opened it from the inside.

Thanks Ed. Wonder how they rolled the windows up to keep the rain out, then still be able to get into the 50 Plymouth. Would make for one wet seat when you sat down.

[Young Ed]

It was a CA car so I imagine it didn't see much rain. And you can lock/open it from the inside with the windows up through the vents. Thats how we do it now. And you can't lock it from the inside before the door is closed so there is no danger of not being able to get inside the car.

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed,

Only drawback to that is. If you can open it through the vent wings, so can anyone else. That is one way to shave the handles though.

[Young Ed]

Norm if you want to be period correct that's one example of how it was done. Its also a good example of how much a different time the 50s were since leaving your car unlocked probably wasn't that big a deal. BTW this car will be unshaved when its restored.

[Norm's Coupe]

Ed,

You got that part right! Back in the 50's and 60's you could park your car at a shopping center with your stuff laying on the seat, windows down and the keys hanging in the ignition and everything would still be there when you came out of the store. Try that today and the whole car will be gone.

As a kid I use to ride my Schwinn bike to the shopping center. Park it on the sidewalk, then go into the store. Never had a lock on it and didn't need one. It was still where I left it when I came out to go home. Didn't have A/C in the house back then either. Use to leave the windows open and just a hook on screen door, with the door open as we slept at night, and that was in Louisville. Can't do that today either. Was a much better time back then.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Norm..the solenoids are not the problem...it is finding a remote multi-function keyless entry system to take full advantage of the shave aspect...Yes...my car is 12 volts..I have but one car running stock 6 volt system and that is the 54 Plymouth Savoy Club Coupe. HOw long that stays 6 volts depends upon how soon I install AC...

[Norm's Coupe]

Tim, that's the problem. Have nothing against using the electric openers, it's just how to make them work on 6 volts.

As for old school shaving, I know of at least one car with it, but only for the trunk. That's my brother in laws 38 Ford Coupe. He bought it that way. The doors still have handles, only the trunk and hood are shaved. To open the trunk the previous owner used what looks like a hood latch cable. That's run from the trunk latch under the back seat. Handle is actually at the bottom of the back seat to pull the cable and open the trunk. The 38 is a nice coupe the way he bought it. Was an old style custom street rod and from the looks of the styles it was probably done up in the early 60's and hasn't been touched since. It's not a real show car, but just a real nice survivor driver. The window moldings in it were even chrome plated back then and still look like new.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Most people who opt for shaved doors and yet do not use the keyless entry has a remote switch somewhere hidden and of course the spring loaded popper so the door will completely unlatch when triggered. As this is triggered by a relay a switch can be very very small and can actually activated by a short rod through a not-so apparant hole along the fuzzy strip