Going against the grain here...

[speedo]

But why not Maybe I got dropped as a kid...but I am probably the only person that doesn't like the swing out door pockets. Could just be my DNA, but I never liked them. Originally made of a material that just didn't make sense for something subjected regularly to a harsh environment. The aluminum was always dinged or bent or twisted and the vinyl never wanted to stay affixed. But they were......correct! Anybody come up with a door pocket alternative to those expensive map holders (who uses maps anymore?) in the form of an expandable pleated pocket attached to the door panel that does two things 1) covers the bottom of the door handles where they attach to the door so they don't look "missing", and 2) look good and lay flat when not used...like elastic. I like my handles on my 70 SWT resto, but I am not putting those pockets back on. This doesn't need to turn into a "why I should change my mind about the flimsy pockets thread". On the other hand some pics of nice alternatives would be appreciated.
Gracias as usual...

Speedo

[M_deJong]

I'm quite happy with my one piece fiberglass pockets. But I don't think they are made anymore.

[speedo]

Thanks Mike!
Exactly the resonse I was looking for...

[RSTarga]

I too hated those original pockets, they never looked closed, they warped and those stupid bungee cords broke or frayed frequently. I went with 74 and up pockets in ABS not fiberglass.

[a911s]

'67 door panels, pockets, and handles will fit your needs. That's what I have in my '72 hot rod.

[John Z Goriup]

But why not Maybe I got dropped as a kid...but I am probably the only person that doesn't like the swing out door pockets.Speedo

No, there are two of us who dislike the stock different-for-every-year claptrap stock pockets that came standard on some of the early cars, and that's definitely NOT a character flaw, nor something to feel bad about, in fact, unless one is 100 point authenticity fanatic just about any other arrangement for stowing small miscellaneous bits & pieces is bound to be an improvement.

Here's how I had a local upholstery shop do my doorpanels for Ruprecht, my '70 911T hot rod. I supplied the 1/8" marine plywood, fiberglass covered doorpanel cards ( which I traced from the original cardboard door cards ) which I then brush painted satin black. Plywood because they hold staples so much better. The basket weave material for the irregular shaped insert ( patterned after the '68 door panels ) is actually material from the original doorpanels on my car for sentimentality's sake.

Polished stainless phillips-head screws with upholstery washers hold them to the door. I made saddle leather unlock-strap and fabricated my own 356 door-pull handles mounted on wrinkle-finish powdercoated 1/8" aluminum plates, because in my view anything is preferable to the horrible plastic RS / Fiat trinkets ( see second photo, please ). Stock window cranks.

Good Luck,

JZG

[speedo]

John,
Really nice work on those panels. I had planned on using the factory stock panels, as this is not a hotrod (engine is hotted up, but looks factory stock). RS panels would look cheesy, and I actually like the original door pulls...they look simple and streamlined. I am going to have to give this more thought. Thanks for everyone's input...but more suggestions are formally encouraged.

Speedo

[obrut]

Check out Rob Abbott's build threads for his orange ST and his wife's white R - both have cool door panel setups.

[a911s]

Speedo asked me to post a photo of a '65-67 door panel. This one is original to Rolly's '66. They changed in '68, then again in '69 and '74:

[Jens]

We still use maps (and the Garmin and an iPad mount), so we do use door pockets for those maps and for other stuff like guns, knives, and tools. I'm looking forward to some creative solutions other than fold-out pockets, which I'm not really a big fan of either.