A bracket with Rivnuts, welded to the door. The door panel slides over it and then when the armrest bolts on, it pulls the panel in tight so it doesn't rattle.
With the armrest installed.
Looking up from the bottom of the armrest.
Backside of armrest.
Same process of sealing up the front armrest extension.
2 steps forward...1 step back. No fun if we don't share the mis-steps.....
I struggled with the look of how the arm rest cut off the speaker at the bottom but I really like the how the arm rest sits on top of the door bar when the door is closed. It really looks good when you are inside with the door closed. Probably making a big deal out of a non-issue, but thought a little return on that speaker opening might finish off the look. It didn't work, as you can see. Looks bad and while I knew I was going to have to modify the speaker grill, it just made that fit way to tight.
Cutting that lower section off today and going back to just letting the arm rest do it's thing. Once it's covered with black leather, it will mostly disappear anyway.
Here is the driver door with the arm rest done. I'll make the pass side like this today.
The door pull will get done black later but just had to ditch the blue anodizing now! Easy Off oven cleaner eats it quick. Definitely doesn't leave a pristine Al finish so I wouldn't count on it if you want useable bare Al but good enough for just removing the anodizing.
The two right most metal brackets are welded to the door so they solidly anchor the armrest and make for no flexing when the door is pulled closed.
Somehow drilling 6 holes in that metal bracket makes it lighter!!
Arm rests completed. The inside of the door pull area will get covered with leather so I smoothed it so your fingers don't bump square edges.
Made the upper section flow into the door panel. Used plastic welder (super hot soldering iron) and shaped these areas. And filled the door lock hole. All will be covered leather.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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