Originally Posted by babymog

STOP!

The ashtray must be removed, then the ashtray holder, there is a clip in the bottom of the holder which you pry upward - pull the bottom of the holder toward you and out.

Then, with the aforementioned trim around the latch, latch rod, lock button, and the bolt in the top of the handle removed, you can slide the panel upward to disengage the hooks. The window wiper-strip will sometimes be stubborn and need localized upward pressure to prevent sudden release from shearing the clips on the back of the panel.