Cove Chrome

[Roger W.]

When I bought my 59 there was no chrome on the on the coves. I have all of the OEM chrome to mount.
The driver side has some body work including a new lip around the wheel opening. I could not find the original holes around the first half of the wheel opening. The remaining holes from the wheel opening back are present. I mounted the chrome strip, and the fit around the wheel opening is off by about a half inch on the lower front. This space does not seem too bad. I have seen photos of cars with about this space.
The driver side has had more body work including a new lower fender. There are no original holes. I drilled new holes up to the first half of the wheel opening. I mounted the chrome strip and the space between the lower wheel opening and the strip is about an inch.
How were these holes drilled at the factory? Was a fixture used?
Any suggestions to get a better fit on the chrome?
Also. The clips that are screwed in. Does the chrome strip snap over the clips or does the chrome slide over them?

Thanks,
Roger

[John H.]

Re: Cove Chrome

How were these holes drilled at the factory? Was a fixture used?
Also. The clips that are screwed in. Does the chrome strip snap over the clips or does the chrome slide over them?

Thanks,
Roger

Roger -

The holes were fixture-drilled prior to paint. The molding "snaps" over the clips - make sure you use the correct low-profile screws so you don't ding the moldings.

[Roger W.]

Re: Cove Chrome

Roger -

The holes were fixture-drilled prior to paint. The molding "snaps" over the clips - make sure you use the correct low-profile screws so you don't ding the moldings.

Thanks John. I figured that that there had to be a fixture, as most cars the chrome fits perfectly and others have a slight gap between the front of the wheel opening and the chrome.