Door handles - are these original?

[abiddle]

12 years ago I pulled the pitted door handles off and stored them, replaced with repros. As I gather up my chrome for replating, I decided to check them for numbers to confirm they are original before spending $100 each. No numbers, so I dig around a bit on ebay, and I see conflicting examples of NOS handles. Now I wonder if these are even original. Can anyone guide me on how to confirm? Is it weight, are there any measurements, or should I be able to tell by the mechanism?

As always - thanks again!
Andy

[m22mike]

Those look to be OE, there fat across the inside of the handle that you grab onto, newer repops have a sharp contour that feels different.

Mike

[69Z28-RS]

It's getting pretty bad when we're afraid that we're about to restore an old 'reproduction' part.. 

[68camaroz28]

Those look to be OE, there fat across the inside of the handle that you grab onto, newer repops have a sharp contour that feels different.

Mike

Mike is correct and a more accurate factor is to measure that inside width of the handle. 68 and prior they were around .540" thick but in 69 they became a little more narrower at about .440" but later service replacements taper and are only .285" wide where Mike is stating just grabbing a later service replacement handle and you know it. I had my originals re-chromed for that reason! But there are a lot of GM service replacements being advertised on ebay for big money and they are not correct. You grab one of those handles opening a door and you know its not correct.

[68camaroz28]

Here we go with some pics to see differences.
One can see how the difference can be easily noted with just grabbing a handle.

Our 68 door handles (also used prior years)


69 door handle a little narrower-


And later service replacement go quite bit narrower-


Also note that looking at the handle attached to the door the difference in width as shown in measurement is not noticed but again when the handle is grabbed it is quite obvious.

[abiddle]

Thanks! Great information as always. Thanks for the pictures Chick, that cleared it up perfectly. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't have a micrometer in my garage, but I can see the difference just looking at them.

I haven't grabbed many 69 camaro door handles, but I'll make it a habit at the next show.

Andy

[m22mike]

Chick, your awesome, I borrowed your photos....  :>) Thanks.

Mike