Vitesse door cappings

[paulhumphries]

Anyone tell me if Vitesse door cappings are the same profile thoughout their length ?
I've only glanced at them off a car once and think they are made by cutting lengths of profiled wood to the right size and then the ends shaped.

Thanks.

Paul Humphries

[Andy66]

Hi Paul,

Here's a few pics that may help you. If I were you I'd try good old eBay or Rimmers Autojumble section, they sometimes have shop soiled going cheap.

Cheers, Andy

[paulhumphries]

Thanks.
As I thought a simple profile so easy to reproduce.
My brother-in-law is the foreman of a big window company and specialises in hardwood for listed buildings.  e's a traditional "time served" craftsman joiner / cabinet maker rather than a promoted machine operator.
I want to restyle the dash in my Herald in the style of the Cortina 1600E with the 4 aux instruments in the centre and switches relocated so that will involve a new blank being machined.
The idea of having door cappings made at the same time in matching wood appeals seeing I have such a wide choice. Pity Burred Walnut is one of the few woods my BIL doesn't work with !

Paul Humphries

[Deleted User]

I think a good mahogany looks really nice in a Vitesse/Herald. I saw this dash at Stafford a few years ago… NICE!

[JohnD]

If you'll have them bespoke, then you can choose the wood.
'Pitch Pine' would be different - gorgeous bold stripes and/or swirls.
It's a wood often found today reclaimed from old buildings, as it is nearly rot proof unlike modern softwood.
Old floor boards were so thick and wide, the cappings and dashboard could be made from them.

John

[lordleonusa]

FWIW, I used Triumph 1300 FWD door cappings in my Herald and my Vitesse, they don't have the cut-out for the quarter light catch, but it was never a problem.

Of course they came out of scrapyard saloons so were in good condition, and they were not so square in profile as the Vitesse items so they didn't damage the top outside corners of the front seats like the Vitesse items.

IMHO, the Triumph 1300 items fitted the Vitesse better than the Vitesse ones!

L

[lordleonusa]

Some pictures Herald first, then Vitesse