One of the things that folks often overlook when building an old car is the door latches. They aren’t sexy or cool, but before the mid 1950’s door latches were less than great. The cars of the 1930’s are especially bad if their latches aren’t in perfect shape. But if you are going to convert the doors to hidden hinges, or suicide swing, or shaved handles, there is just no reason not to swap them out for a set of bear claw style latches. They are safer, easier to operate, and much cleaner looking.
In this video here, Bello is getting the 1937 Packard project rolling along and that means it is time for bear claw latches. This car is getting shaved door handles too, and that means electronic door latch poppers.
Bello does his latches a little different than many folks, by putting them in the door jamb with the striker on the door itself. He’s got a good reason, so check it out.
