Door, fender, quarter panel moldings

[TA301]

Were they optional on the Trans Am? I don't see reproductions available. This is a concern for me because I am going to remove the ones on my car prior to painting even though with extreme car and proper technique they should remove intact but just in case.

[Wallington]

Are you talking about the door top - fender tip - hood rear moulds? Then yes, optional on all models except the pinstripe special models such as the SE, TATA, Pacecars, and the Esprit Sky, Red, and Yellow birds.

And no, none of the 5 pieces are reproduced. Also, none of the 5 pieces from a Camaro with same option, will fit.

[TA301]

No. I am referring to the side moldings.

[Wallington]

Ok same, optional on all, added to any not optioned at the dealer. Reproductions exist. Ive posted pages on these on another forum in the hope that others would respond. You guessed how that ended.

[Wallington]

Actually, it was also on this group prior to crash. Briefly updated on another forum before again being blocked for contributing too much.

Short version.....GM factory fitted were:
71-75 stainless type with retainers
73-78 adhesive type
79-81 adhesive type

Often, these were not installed or supplied and Dealer had to complete the order, so rivet on version often used, not always. Also done to plenty that weren't optioned at all. What is does do, is tell you where the moulds were fitted, if optioned.

The 79-up version replaced the rear 'spears' with a tilted picture frame end instead. Body mould guys are the time had all sorts of tools and jigs to trim and fold to create different shapes.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=870231&highlight=body+mold

[TA301]

Thank you. If the intact removal of these moldings is a fail then I must consider deleting them. What do you think as far as moldingless look?

[Wallington]

Mine were removed prior to me owning, and not long after that, the auto electrician dimpled one side and dented the other with a floor jack. Denied both. Body moulds would likely have prevented. I purchased replacements, 20 years later still not repaired to accept.

[TA301]

These are factory originals on mine.

[Wallington]

They are the rivet-on type, although not the most common version either. You may see the end of the rivet on either end of the door when opened.

[Maxthe222]

Those aren't factory. They are an aftermarket rivetted on style. Nuke 'em

[Wallington]

I was being more gentle with the news.

[TA301]

Serious? I am going to investigate it.

[TA301]

Indeed they are riveted although I could not see the rivets from the other side of the doors when opened only visible from the plastic end caps. I will see if it is removable using a scraper. If it is riveted, it will pose two questions: 1- Leave them alone which could pose an issue when painting the car. 2- Remove them and fill the holes.

It is amazing you discover things 30 years after owning the car.

[Wallington]

You always remove to paint. You need to decide if reinstalling, them or new, or to fill.

[apfstg]

I’m not sold on them - mine were riveted on - but my doors were both pretty much ding free from having them. I brought a new truck once and the salesman gave me a screwdriver and said ‘might as well get first scratch over’ and that has left me leaning towards reinstalling.

[TA301]

I have decided to keep them. Remove to paint and reinstall after paint work is completed.

[FormTA]

That or remove either fill the holes or don't and then install the adhesive type in the same location, just cover the holes. Looks more correct and you have crisp new moldings.

[TA301]

Thanks for the suggestions. My doors/fenders quarter panels also have zero dents because of those moldings. Not that the car will be in the wild when it was a daily driver 30 years ago but I am leaning towards reinstalling them. The idea of using automotive grade molding adhesive is good one because I won't have to pay the body shop to fill them and charge me extra should I finalize my decision to reuse them.

[roadking77]

I took them off of my car. I cant stand the way they look. The way my car is driven today I am not so anxious about door dings. When I bought my new 1982 firebird I had a long, spongy magnetic strip that I put on the door when parked. It had a clip that made it impossible to remove with the door closed. I would love to find something like that today. I bought mine from a defunct company call Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories.