Side Trim Clips

[Dan D.]

Re: 1957

There are 3 "Z" shaped clips on each side of the front fenders (cove molding) that attach the trim. This is in addition to the other spring loaded clips. These 3 (6) go into blind holes, so the standard clips will not work.

Is there a secret to making these Z clips work? I don't see how the trim can press on, and it seems you can't over tighten these things without deforming them.

I can't seem to make therm work. Anybody have experience with them?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dan D.

[Richard M.]

Re: Side Trim Clips

Dan, Yup, I have. Terrible design "feature".

The repros are terrible and require some t w e a k i n g to get them to function. Also, be very careful about the height of the screw head. You'll want to get very flat screws or grind the screw heads down that you have quite a bit. If you don't you can dent/bulge out the ss trim while pressing on the trim over those awful z-clips, if the screw heads are beefy.

Rich
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[Dan D.]

Re: Side Trim Clips

Thanks Rich. About what I figured.

I think your photos are of a C2. The clips straddle a ridge, which allows some space back of the clip for the trim to lock onto. C1s are flat, so the clip cannot capture the trim. It will just be a friction hold. A flat washer on the back side might help by adding a little clearance for the trim to lock onto.
I hear you on the screw head height. A filister head screw may help, or I will just grind them down, as you say.

I think I will pre-fit them first by fastening them to a piece of sheet metal before actually installing them on the car.

Dan D.

[Richard M.]

Re: Side Trim Clips

Dan that's a '59.

[Dan D.]

Re: Side Trim Clips

OK, I did not know 59s were like that. 57s are flat.

Dan D.

[Roger W.]

Re: Side Trim Clips

Yes. I have a little dent in my trim from one of those screws. After that experience, I bought the next size smaller screw. That seemed to work.

[Richard M.]

Re: Side Trim Clips

OK, I did not know 59s were like that. 57s are flat.

Dan D.

Dan, I forgot you're on a '57.

Those clips were a terrible design from inception, then the reproducers made them even worse. The trick is you have to re-bend the repros a tad here or there until the trim gets comfortable to just slightly "click" over them. When doing body/prep work on the cars I've done, before prime/paint I'd test fit everything. Got it all perfect and actually numbered each of those little clips and made a map of locations, to make it easier to install trims after paint.

However, the "clip" devils would always rear their ugly heads, and what fit before paint always needed more adjusting after paint.

Rich