MTFCA Forum

My fathers 27 Tudor, he was replacing the door glass. From looking at other posts, it looks like the metal door panel nuts are not reproduced? He has some broken and missing ones. The plastic ones are OK?
Thank you

Those repro plastic can work, although the rim of the plastic is thicker, so it can make the door panel or trim stand off and won’t be totally flush. Would try to use original metal ones, and then shave the plastic rims to minimal thickness under trim upholstery material.

The original door panel fasteners had the snap in socket that goes in the door frame, what you are calling nuts, and ring shank nails on the door panel held on with speed nuts. As you found out they do not come apart gracefully. That system of fasteners was replaced for the Model A in 1928 with a single spring clip. The spring clips will allow the panel to be removed and re-installed without damaging the upholstery panel. Clastique and others sell them. You should be able to peel the upholstery material back and slide the modern clip over the edge of the panel, glue the upholstery material back on and you can reinstall the panel on the door. Just align the clips over the holes in the door frame and wack the upholstery over the head of the clip with the palm of your hand or a rubber mallet. Easy peasy.