Door crash bars

[MAURICE BLENDHEIM]

Originally Posted by rboyle

Is it legal to remove them and any tips on how to on a 1973 Nova?
TIA
Already gave up.

I've done it several times over the years (before plasma cutters). It takes 2 people, one that is good with a torch and a good helper. Fill a large cooler with ice and water, soak a large heavy bath towel in the cooler, wet the inside of the door. Fold and place the cold soaked towel on the outside of the door skin in the area of the cut, quickly cut from the top down with a torch. If it doesn't completely cut on the first attempt, move to the other door. DO NOT COOL THE WARM PANEL IF FIRST ATTEMPT FAILS, the door may shrink and distort panel. Be patient and restart procedure once the door cools naturally. Try this on a junk door first to see how things work, if you can. The object is to keep the door skin COLD while cutting. I have done this on several finished cars to help trim some weight, to compensate for the owners "Second Cheeseburger Syndrome". Hope this Successful Method helps...MB.