Finally got around to addressing this. The mechanism that the handle attaches to on the driver's side controller (which I purchased), is the same as the original on the passenger side. I took off the original control on the passenger side, separated the mechanism from the backing plate and put the new mechanism on the old backing plate (the triangle shaped piece). The 'rod' that connects to the door latch, however, is too long so I have to cut out about 1/4 of an inch and get the two pieces welded together. Then I will take the splined shaft from the old passenger side mechanism and put in the driver's side (which was the problem all along because the splines on the driver's side were worn.) Sounds a bit convoluted but in the end I will have a door handle that will work the same way it did in '47 (and it won't fall off every time I shut the door or hit a bump!)

It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it.