And I use the word "handles" loosely lol. Decided to 86 the stock rattling, bulky, lame door handles and lock cylinder for something that resembles the newer c6 Corvettes. Been working on it a couple hours on the passenger side. Got the handle and lock cylinder shaved and the recess cut out of the quarter. Working on a piece to weld back in right now will try to post all the pics later tonight or tomorrow.

NICE

Okay here's the pictures!
Before

Door handle and lock cylinder removed

Plugs tacked in

Smoothed down and relief hole cut in quarter


Pocket tacked in

oh yeahhh

I still have to order weatherproof momentary switches and get a solenoid from work for each door. So that's it for now. What yall think?

Looks like you're off to a good start, I will probably do something similar eventually, though I want handles that don't have a pocket, maybe something that just pushes in, and grab the door while holding it into its recess, kinda hard to explain...

no i gotcha. like the old split window vettes

Hmm, I'll have to search for that, I'm familar with that body style vette, just don't know anything about them having door handles like that, but I basically don't want anything protruding into the airstream, or providing a pocket for it to build up in. I'm a bit **** about aerodynamics and un-necessary weight, lol.

you have a couple of gigantic pockets right on front of your car called headlights lol
and here's a 72 vette. if you look closely you can see the chrome handle on the top part of the door

Yeah, those are C3 'Vettes. The Split Window was a 1963 and had a different style handle than what is being described.



I've been seriously considering the C3 style or idea of a door handle for my car for a long while, just haven't come up with how to get it all working in the small space I have to do it. It's a 1973 Datsun 240Z, that while it has a similar ledge at the top of the door, it is quite a bit narrower than the C3 'Vette and will require some very tight tolerances.

I may just end up installing the Grand Am door handles I already have, for similicity and getting almost the desired effect I want.

I had considered something similar to the C6 style, electric popper and all, I just prefer a mechanical door handle, just in case the power ever dies. Sometimes my car will sit for long periods, and like this morning the battery could be dead.

Believe me I'm painfully aware of the headlight situation, the first aero mod I do is going to be headlight covers, still deciding how I am going to attach them, and whether or not to make my own or buy some. I wouldn't be all that surprised if it actually takes off .01 or .02 from the drag coefficient.
And yeah, that yellow vette is along the right lines, though I would want it body colored, and as flush/integrated/seamless as possible, probably would do it in a different spot though. Probably a combo between what the OP did and what the vette has, the location and approximate shape of the OP's, but push in type like the vette, and when its pushed in, can just grab the door lip while the handle is recessed to open it.

Yeah I know I said split window without looking it up first thanks for pointing out that mistake lol. And if the battery dies the hatch is still mechanical. I'll probably try to figure something out like a switch to a small aux battery. But that probably won't happen till i have to crawl through the back a couple of times ya know? lol

looks nice !! ive bin thinking of doing the exact same thing, but havent had the time or money to start lol. cant wait to see how you finish it and what switches you use

subscribing
WooHoo!

Did you ever finish? How much for the z06 handles

good work so far.

you guys ever see this stuff?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h69qdt9YaQ

@86: I didn't buy any handles. It's actually made out of a piece of the bottom of an old camaro door lol. It's gonna be electric not mechanical. I've got both doors done and my weatherproof switches came in. (2@ $5.00 a piece) now i need to measure how much it takes to engage the latch so i know what pound solenoids to buy.

@intimidator: Yeah I saw them use those on an episode of overhaulin on a dodge magnum. theyre way too expensive and they only make them for a couple of cars so far. I'm not impressed by them either. i know what I'm doing has been done before but at least I'm not spending much money doing it.

My favorite part is you can see the outline of the factory door handle bucket in the crappy body work.

There is no bodywork, they bolt on.
Well... they screw on.

um, i was referencing the dodge magnum in the video i quoted. you can see the panel distortion where they filled the handle holes when they open it.

Im pretty sure that that is not body filler or anything like that but an actual "handle" that replaces the original that is used to activate the system.

wow. even worse. a bolt on product that looks like bad bodywork. I just took a closer look. You are correct, my fault.

wheres the security?id rather use a key fob.

security is you have to have the key fob close by, like in your pocket.

that also makes hand prints on other parts of your door that i wouldn't personally want

ok finally an update. Actually painted some of the car last weekend and got the driver's door wired up with the electric stuff. Here's some pics.

And a video.I know it looks like a school bus yellow or something but that's because it's under a blue roof and it's messing with the color. It's a nice bright yellow in the sun!http://www.facebook.com/v/223706144355038

pricey, but its an awsome flush look, while retaining a functional handle
http://www.kindigit.com/goods.php

are you planning to run the car at the track? bc im pretty sure that handles like these are illegal for track use but i could be wrong.

no it's just a weekend cruise car

You are right.

And Firefighters hate shaved or electric doors too. Gotta get in a wrecked car quickly & there is no mechanical latch = increased time to get inside the car for rescues.

if the doors are locked its the same as no door handles.

Yes, but easier to deal with. Trust me. Been there, done that. And the same reason why shaved/electric handles are not allowed on tracks. Slows down rescue time.

Yes, they are, ever heard of a Dodge Viper? Plenty of them on the drag strips, no mechanical handle on the newer models.

Also what you are saying makes no sense, it only takes a second to break a side window and reach in

Look closer at a Viper next time at the MECHANICAL pull lever:


And while glass is "easy" to break, it does not break easy by hand. Not easy with just a flat hammer, that is why there are specialized glass breaking pointed tools to break the glass. No Firefighter wants to approach a car, can't get in, have to go back to the truck to get a tool or call out for someone else to bring one. As an ex-Firefighter, I do know that portion of this VERY well.

One example:
http://www.firebirdraceway.com/web/streetdrags.html
4. Doors handles must be functional, inside & out. “Shaved” door handles not permitted unless there is an obvious mechanical means for our safety crew to open the driver and front passenger doors from the outside.


I'm not going to sit here & 'net argue with someone who does not know. It is pointless for me to do so & I'm done.

Plus then you have broken glass everywhere, racing regulations can be pretty strict, I know some sanctions don't allow glass roof panels for example. I do agree it is kind of silly not to allow non-mechanical handles, since if a wreck is bad enough the person needs pulled out, there is a decent chance the door is fubar and won't open anyways. But that's just how it is.

Dont have to look closer, that is an electronic button, not a mechanical handle. I know because I had to detail my old boss' Viper several times a month and once I locked the key in it. There are also no locks in the car, it is a LED that changes color when the door is "locked"

what about the new Vets? they only have electric push buttons?

don't look at the crappy carbon-fiber. but you can see no mechanical conections.

It shouldn't be as GM uses it on the Vette already.