Just Got the new OPG Catalog yesterday and They have quite a bit of new stuff to wish for.One of them That got my attention was the armrest backing plates for my 68SS. $59.95pr if I remember correctly.I will have some, Oh yes I will soon!!!!

Yeah sure, after I bought a "nicer" used set for 40 bucks. :mad:

Actualy I'll probably buy those too.

When you get yours will you give us a review of the quality ?

The new armrest base plate OPG sells, is at best, a poor reproduction, from what I can see. They are 4 inches shorter than the originals. They didn't even TRY to get it close. They look nothing like the originals. The original plates have an aluminum insert which is there so your hand won't ruin the chrome, opening the door. The repro doesn't even have it. Like most of the repro crap, if guys buy it they will continue to reproduce junk. I had my originals re-chromed and they removed the aluminum insert, re-chromed the plastic part, then glued the aluminum insert back in. Costs more, but looks correct. http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/71SSBB/Untitled-29.gif

I didn't see a closeup pic of them, just the one in the New Products Section.The thing I did notice was that they looked like maybe they didn't have the ribs in them like the og's.

Where did you find that they are 4" shorter??

I just got a letter from a gent making these in metal and they look great. I honestly don't recall the price.

I'll try to post that this evening.

Originally posted by speedster:
I didn't see a closeup pic of them, just the one in the New Products Section.The thing I did notice was that they looked like maybe they didn't have the ribs in them like the og's.

Where did you find that they are 4" shorter?? The aluminum part I mentioned is the part with the ribs. They are not on the repro's
If you look at the pic of the repro it ends about an inch past the largest hole. If you look at the pic of the original I posted above, it extends 4 or 5 inches past the same hole. They are suppose to be plastic with aluminum inserts.

Are they listed as 68s? I havent measured my 68s but I know the 70-72 versions are only slightly longer than the arm rest base. Not used on chevelles but 70-72 montes use them.

They list them for 68 - 72' s
It says Original for 68 only but will fit 69 - 72's
They don't care if they are correct for your car or not. They will sell you anything your willing to pay for.

..

http://www.opgi.com/CUTLASS/90733/24805.jpg

Here is a link to them online. Yep they are NOT correct for 68 graemlins/sad.gif

http://www.opgi.com/EC_Cart2.asp?Group=24805&ProdCode=C220088&head=6

Just further illustration,
of the importance of checking in with your T.C. Friends,
before wasting hard earned dough on repop stuff.
graemlins/beers.gif

Originally posted by Thad:
Just further illustration,
of the importance of checking in with your T.C. Friends,
before wasting hard earned dough on repop stuff.
graemlins/beers.gif True Dat! Thank you my brothas!

I know this should be painfully obvious ... but where do those chrome plates go? My armrests are screwed straight to the door panel.
Thanks, Neal

They go between the armrest and door panel. The short ones shown arent used on chevelles, but are on many other A bodies from 70-72.

Here's a pic of one that my friend made on his cnc for a guy.
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mg_engineering/detail?.dir=/7935&.dnm=79dc.jpg

Bigmoe,

That's the one I got the letter from.

Since this is not a sale forum, please email me if you'd like the gentleman's information.

They are machined from 6061 billet aluminum and he claims they look identical to the originals.

Moe,
That looks great, if its CNC cut from solid aluminum its a lot nicer than factory.

(Nice Elky by the way)

Could you give us a hint, as to the cost of something like that ?

Originally posted by Thad:
Moe,
That looks great, if its CNC cut from solid aluminum its a lot nicer than factory.

(Nice Elky by the way)

Could you give us a hint, as to the cost of something like that ? Yes they are made from solid aluminum. Im not exactly sure how much they cost but I would assume minimum 250.00.

Well, at least they look like $250 parts. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Those aluminum ones are definitely worth $250.

I looked into this once and assuming you can get a drawing (or make one) that is close to the orignals (wierd angles on the ends). I was told $85 an hour to get something like this done. While trying to duplicate them, I also ran into problems like how to mount them and weight issues (2lbs.) if you didnt have the back side hollowed out, which is more machining time.

In the end, I gave up and found a nice set of originals. But if someone can get me his name and phone #, I would buy an aluminum set today.

PS>> Did anyone expect anything more than what OPGI delievered? I didnt, I have lost all faith in reporduction parts......

Those billet aluminum base plates look great, I'm also dissapointed in the quality of the repro's from OPGI. I just bought a set from the local junkyard for my 68 Chevelle driver for $5 graemlins/hurray.gif a little cleaning and they will be good enough for me.

Another issue that should be noted is that if someone is adding them to a vehicle that didn't already have them originally,that the door handle mechanism has a longer shaft to compensate for the thickness of the plate. Not positive, but the door handle mechanism may have to be changed for the proper clearances. Just my 2 cents.

When I talked to the guy who made these he said they are not exactly original. I believe the horizontal ribs are machined into the aluminum, He said the original ribs protrude outward. Fit and function should be the same. Also, $250 is what I assumed would be minimum so dont take that as the price. I believe his email is machineit2day@aol.com.