I’m looking for some rear door panels for my 68 Firebird 400, a while ago I blindly bought what I should need, 68 panels that wrap all the way up the around the top, like the fronts. Should’ve looked closer before I did that, seems my car was made with 67 style rear panels? (with metal at top) Why might this be and does it look like the 67 panel will fit? Thank you - LB

Hopefully someone has some suggestions for you. If the '67 panels won't fit, could a good upholstery shop modify the '68 Custom interior parts you already purchased to work and still look good? I searched various sources and found no other record of that on another '68. There's a thread on here dealing with "Firebird Mysteries". There are a lot of curious build differences in the 1st Gens, many that have yet to be explained.

The Body by Fisher tag on the firewall will have a code showing the build week of your '68. Might be interesting to know.

https://firstgenfirebird.org/1968-info/1968-technical-information/1968-body-tag-information/

I took a look at mine, its "10A", first week of October I do believe... Billing history says invoice was made October 18th 1967.

The '68 production began in late August or early September '67, meeting a September 21 on sale date. So, there had already been a month or more of production before yours was built.

You no longer have that original gold interior sitting around somewhere?

Unfortunately all that's left of the interior is one kick panel and the original column, you can see gold under the layers of red paint someone sprayed. I wish I had more to work from, only original parts to the car inside it now are the gauges and console, rear view mirror I think too, seats came from junkyard. Car was a shell with a box full of random parts when purchased, there was a rectangle and round mirror that came with it, I think the round door mirror is what came on it, I put the rectangle one on. I do have the original Wiring in a box too.

Another sorta interesting thing is it was shipped to Zone 25 (Portland, OR) Dealer 991, looking on Wallace Racing there's a couple entries, them being for "PMD".. I have no clue if it was just a Zone car and later shipped to dealer or something unique.

Maybe I am not understanding. Don't the '68 rear panels just cover the top painted part? And the '67 panels leave that bare? I am pretty sure the '67 panels were used by someone because they were available and worked. I would think just get some re-pop '68's and carry on. Or am I totally backwards on this? The pic is my '68 and my '68 panels covered the painted top. I think it's just a minor model year change. I am fitting a roll bar so ignore the mess.

the metal there is right. the door panels fit over it. here is a pic of my 69, which should be close to your 68. sorry for the small pic, and for not showing the whole area, but you can get the idea. the other pic is what it looks like done. the door panels dont cover the whole area, the arm rests cover the lower part, and there is a metal filler piece for the upper seat. don't get confused looking at Camaro's as only Camaro's with deluxe interior will have the arm rests.

you can see the metal filler that goes next to the upper seat, a little better in this pic, it is screwed to the arm rests piece

if you notice, the door panel ends at the back of the upper seat, the rest of the metal is exposed so it gets painted interior color, and there are metal corner pieces that go in the corners where it wraps around to the bottom of the window

Both my 1968 Firebirds had rear arm rests. One was deluxe and the other is base. Both had the ash tray inserted in the arm rest. I don't recall ever seeing one without arm rests.

Been going thru this my self, but with a 69 convertible, which is the only thing that will fit mine. Beside the scammers that answer you part searches, the only place I found that had them was Firebird Central. They weren't cheap and when I got them it was just the fabric and cardboard. Called and explained they were incomplete. Not attached to the metal piece on top and did not have the window felt. Turns out they source that out and I was sent the wrong thing. I returned the parts and they put a rush order to have the others made. Got them last week and they look good. On a 69 convertible it is actually three parts that make up the interior side pieces.

If you notice I said only Camaros with deluxe interior, I didn't say Firebirds, I know Firebirds have the arm rests, I made that coment because most places try sell Camaro stuff as Firebird stuff

Sorry, I misunderstood. Still, don't the '68 side covers go right on over the painted top? Re-pops should work. I also had to order some '68 convertible arm rests from Firebird central. I needed the metal forms. I have '68 hardtop arm rests and thought I could modify them to work. After getting the re-pops I now know I was wrong.

The 68 panels didn’t seem to fit very well but I did find screw holes that seem to be for a 68 style panel, I just made up my arm rests, got some foam from Joanns. Will try to install soon.