Re: {Chrysler 300} 1964 300 Door Panels from SMS
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Re: {Chrysler 300} 1964 300 Door Panels from SMS



I have ordered 7 sets of door panels for my restoration projects over the years and they have delivered outstanding reproductions every time but I too have had my share of frustration over many years with them and I gave up calling Leslie and Kim since every time I kept calling them, I just considered their responses to be something they grabbed out of the air and had no real meaning.  On one set of door panels I waited 6 years to finally get them and then that really set me off.  So I took some steps to get them to act and one of them hit the jackpot.  

What I would advise is to order any set or sets of door panels from them at least 3 to 4 years before you will need them, but if you wait more than 4 years, you can contact me and I will share with you what to do to finally get Doug, the owner, to put you at the top of their list.  It would take one day of some small amount of work on your part and you would have Doug calling you probably the same day or at most the next day to make a deal on when you just had to have them for sure.   The squeaky wheel gets the grease and I found the method that delivered the real squeak. 
  
Steve Albu

On Sat, Sep 14, 2024 at 10:27 AM Nick Taylor <nicksgaragesd@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks for all the feedback, I'm experienced with SMS and their shortcomings having ordered materials from them myself. I just know there have been mixed results with some of their door panels and wanted to know about the '64 300 ones since I know the mylar detail is the biggest issue with them.

Of course I hate their business model of taking your money and making false promises, and you usually have to harass them to get things done. Since this project is off in the future, I figured this is one thing I should work on now as my door panels are basically unusable as is. I need to pull them out of the trunk and check them over better. I already got the new star inserts from the club store.

I'll give them a call and get a quote.

Nick

On Sat, Sep 14, 2024 at 9:45 AM Dan Plotkin <dplotkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

James-

To be fair to SMS I’ll report this; I had them make new door panels for my 61 Plymouth which uses a Dodge interior, it was SMS that caught that detail and the panels were brand new, worthy of a show car. I ordered from SMS a rubber floor mat as cabs and squads would use. They shipped me an NOS roll of the stuff which turned to crumbs when we unrolled it. SMS took it back and sold me a period correct carpet, best I was going to do.

 

We are dealing with 63+ year old cars in which only several businesses exist to support us. As my Dad was fond of reminding me, it’s an imperfect world with imperfect people (and cars, reproduction door panels, mats and so forth).  You won’t do better than SMS so I’d go with them.

 

Dan

 

From: 'James Douglas' via Chrysler 300 Club International [mailto:chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2024 9:52 AM
To: Nick Taylor <nicksgaragesd@xxxxxxxxx>; Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: {Chrysler 300} 1964 300 Door Panels from SMS

 

Nick,

 

Apparently, they can reproduce the chrome mylar and the pattern above it. I had thought about having them do mine. That said, I do not want to wait a year to get something out of them. I also did not have a good experience with the headliner and ended up sending it back for a refund and getting a left-over stock from QQD in black that in the end was actually an Acme one. I had to pull teeth to get a refund from SMS.

 

I rebuild two sets of door panels myself for a 300K in the 1980’s. I got the panel material from Restoration Supply and Specalties (related to QQD). My mylar was good enough at the time and I cut it out at the stainless-steel trim line. The panel was recovered by an upholsterer and then the mylar was glued over it and the trim hides the seam. I put all the trim back on myself.

 

My existing rear panels are good but faded a bit. My front panels could use new bases.  I must decide how to proceed. Full rebuild or partial.

 

I worry about long timelines and quality issues with SMS if the recent headliner experience is any example. Historically they did good work, but it takes a long time, and they do not communicate well. Times change and some businesses do not get better with age.

 

James.

 

 

 

From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of Nick Taylor
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2024 17:18
To: Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: {Chrysler 300} 1964 300 Door Panels from SMS

 

Has anyone had their '64 door panels redone by SMS? How did they do on the mylar?

 

Did they use your old door panels? I have my originals.

 

I need black ones done. Or if anyone has a decent set of front and rear panels they want to sell, I'd be interested.

 

Thanks, Nick

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