Mid-'60 GM intermediate exterior door handles - what's best to use?

[swede70]

Greetings,

Sorry if this question seems a bit vain.  I'm not well versed in relation to the current crop of kits to the extent of being able to readily identify where to source the best parts for this and that, hence I'm tapping the collective consciousness here to that end.  I'm working up a 1:25th Scale Coachworks '64/'71-season SCCA Trans Am 'Gray Ghost' combining the resin shell based on the old AMT annual tool with what I vaguely remember as an Oldsmobile 442 chassis with whatever engine I've cobbled up.  I think I've employed the Lindberg kit for the dash and interior panel work.  Contrasted to other Scale Coachworks builds of this topic seen online, know that I've filed off much of the flares to the extent of raising and reshaping each wheel arch.  The material is there aplenty - it just needs to be removed some... 

Back when this was a current project for me, I remember being disaffected with the molded-in exterior door handles, hence I scrubbed them completely from the body shell and need to replace them with something suitable.  My question to those who know their contemporary tools is WHAT might be best?  I'm thinking of a part or assembly that is attached separately, and that would allow a tiny 1:25th hand to grab the handle given it would be cut clear through.  Again, sorry to be uninformed and a bit vain.  If it helps anyone working up the same topic, I've included a paint recommendation for the late-season rims, interior and chassis - all of $3.96 - whoopee!  Thanks to the community...

Extra and exciting BONUS question!  Are the pad-printed GOODYEAR Blue Streak Stock Car Specials in the '71 Bobby Allison Monte Carlo rerelease (maybe it's a '72?) worth grabbing?  I'm thinking of employing them here.  Kind thanks...

Mike K./Swede70

 

 

Mike K./Swede70

 

 

Edited September 1, 2018 by swede70
My usual half-baked draft revision...

[Casey]

Owencraft used to make cast metal exterior door handles, but it appears they are no longer in business.

The Revell '66 Chevelle Wagon kit includes four chrome plated exterior door handles.

Fireball Modelworks offers GM exterior handles, too, but you'll need to smooth and polish each handle before 'chroming' them: 

 

[Snake45]

The Revell '67 Chevelle body has door handles that stand so tall you can razor-saw them off, hollow them out, and glue them back on. That's exactly what I did on one I built. No reason it wouldn't work for you, if you have one of those bodies laying around doing nothing. 

[SfanGoch]

Like Casey mentioned, Owencraft doesn't seem to be in business any longer. You can still check which type of door handle is suitable:

https://web.archive.org/web/20161028055814/http://owencraft.com/handle.html

But, I'll save you the trouble. This be it:

It was used on the following GM vehicles:

Chevrolet full size 1955-1970
Chevelle 1964-1972
Corvette 1956-1967
Camaro 1967-1970
Chevy II/Nova 1962-1979
Corvair 1960-1969
Pontiac full size 1955-1970
Grand Prix 1962-1968
Tempest/LeMans 1961-1972
GTO 1964-1972

Firebird 1967-1970
Buick full size 1954-1960
Buick full size 1963-1976
Riviera 1963-1976
Special/Skylark 1961-1972
Cadillac 1955-1960
Cadillac 1964-1980
Oldsmobile 1954-1976
Cutlass 1961-1972
Toronado 1967-1970

Look at the model years carefully. All GM cars from 1955-1976 (except '67-'91 Caddy Eldorados) used this type. Any Revellogram GM kit in that MY range with separate door handles can be a potential donor. That's as good as it gets .

[Can-Con]

56 minutes ago, SfanGoch said:

 

Look at the model years carefully. All GM cars from 1955-1976 (except '67-'91 Caddy Eldorados) used this type. 

Except for the full size Chevys and Pontiacs from '71 up through the '80s, Second and third gen F-bodys,  '73 up A-bodys [Chevelles, Lemans etc] used this type,,

Riviera and Toronados from '71 up used this one,,

 

And '69 to '72 Grand Prixs used still another one.  

[SfanGoch]

GEEZ! Reread the list carefully. I did indicate that. You mentioned every car which didn't use these handles; and, BTW, their MY aren't even included for that reason. That, in itself, should tip you off to that fact that the info doesn't apply to them. Do I have to be so painfully specific because you're not paying attention and actually reading the info?

 

[Can-Con]

13 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

GEEZ! Reread the list carefully. I did indicate that. You mentioned every car which didn't use these handles; and, BTW, their MY aren't even included for that reason. That, in itself, should tip you off to that fact that the info doesn't apply to them. Do I have to be so painfully specific because you're not paying attention and actually reading the info?

 

Thought I did read it carefully Joe. Maybe you meant something different then what I read. 

Looks like you say "All GM cars from 1955-1976 (except '67-'91 Caddy Eldorados) used this type.", Or did I copy and paste that quote wrong? MOST GM cars DID use those from the '50s through the end of the '60s but in the '70s most used the rectangular lift-up type.

 Yea, I guess I must have missed something you meant there. Anyway, It dosen't matter in the long run. 

Edited September 2, 2018 by Can-Con

[Exotics_Builder]

As Casey said, Fireball Model Works

[Casey]

Here are some (admittedly not great) shots of the door handles I mentioned from the Revell '66 Chevelle wagon kit and a pair from another unknown Revell kit:

[Snake45]

1 hour ago, Exotics_Builder said:

As Casey said, Fireball Model Works

Those look great! I"m gonna check into them. Painting and polishing would both be easier if I could shave off the kit door handles and install them after all the shinework was done. Thanks! 

[Tom Geiger]

20 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

Look at the model years carefully. All GM cars from 1955-1976 (except '67-'91 Caddy Eldorados) used this type. Any Revellogram GM kit in that MY range with separate door handles can be a potential donor. That's as good as it gets .

Pretty much (except for the few luxury exclusions Steve mentioned.   Years ago I took a 1970 Chevy Impala to the demo derby.    I noticed that it was the exact same door handle that was on my 1960 Buick!  

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, Exotics_Builder said:

As Casey said, Fireball Model Works

I haven't bought any of these yet, but I definitely will when the need arises.

I'm especially intrigued by some of the Mopar door handles that he offers!

 

Steve

 

[Exotics_Builder]

1 hour ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I haven't bought any of these yet, but I definitely will when the need arises.

I'm especially intrigued by some of the Mopar door handles that he offers!

 

Steve

 

I have some of the GM car and truck handles and they are great.  Everything he does is top notch!!

 

[swede70]

Thanks everyone for the valued input.  Replies with photographs was much more than I expected.  Sorry to sow confusion if I did, surely I have enough information to work with and act on.  Again, my thanks...

Mike K./Swede70

Edited September 4, 2018 by swede70
My usual missing content now added...