1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

[Richard M.]

I removed these from the '59 I'm restoring(March production). Left side is okay to reuse. The right side is has rust-through. The 1959 AIM(3rd photo) does not show this part. I recall they were attached with small screws to the door. Once these are installed, the reveal molding is attached using the 2 clip retainers. There were also small sheetmetal screws holding the reveal molding to these "brackets". Is this typical? I read that 1960 didn't use them. Maybe someone added the clip retainers.

I've looked for replacement brackets but cannot locate any from Zip, Paragon, CC, etc. Is there a source, or only used? Seems like it may be a tough one to find.

edit-I see the 57 AIM(4th photo) shows this reinforcement(retainer), 3716375 Lt & 3716376 Rt held in with a screw and clip underneath. It shows them full length. These I have here were cut in two. I don't have a 58 AIM but I'd imagine used there too.

I only found one thread and it says they're "available", but not now it seems.
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...0496#post30496

Rich

===================

edit, Well, after all this research, I found the right keywords to search for and it appears Corvette Central does have them after all. Hmm, for 56-58.

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000050e~Z5Z5Z56732~P46.20~~~~S3EX0Y9X6C69138174219a~Z5Z5Z5YES~Z5Z5Z50000050x#

I guess this'll be a thread for the "Archives"!

[Ian G.]

Re: 1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

I have the same type of original moldings. I think they were that way at the factory. I have an early 59 (dec 58).

[Bill M.]

Re: 1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

I removed these from the '59 I'm restoring(March production). Left side is okay to reuse. The right side is has rust-through. The 1959 AIM(3rd photo) does not show this part. I recall they were attached with small screws to the door. Once these are installed, the reveal molding is attached using the 2 clip retainers. There were also small sheetmetal screws holding the reveal molding to these "brackets". Is this typical? I read that 1960 didn't use them. Maybe someone added the clip retainers.

I've looked for replacement brackets but cannot locate any from Zip, Paragon, CC, etc. Is there a source, or only used? Seems like it may be a tough one to find.

edit-I see the 57 AIM(4th photo) shows this reinforcement(retainer), 3716375 Lt & 3716376 Rt held in with a screw and clip underneath. It shows them full length. These I have here were cut in two.

My '59 originals are 2-piece also, not cut.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

Just got back from the Regional in Kissimmee......Thanks for the replies.

I have 2 March 1959 built cars here, and they both have evidence of using these early 56-58 retainers. Most vendors list only for 56 to 58, and the 1959 AIM does not show them. It now appears that at some time in 1959 production these were eliminated. In doing so, it also changed the part number and physical makeup of the exterior reveal molding up until 1962. These are held with 2 clip retainers.

For some unknown reason these were cut on this car.

Rich

[Bill M.]

Re: 1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

For some unknown reason these were cut on this car.

Rich

Rich:

My '59 has 2 pieces on each side and they are definitely original.

Bill

[Ian G.]

Re: 1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

FYI MY car was built DEC 58 and has the two separate intermediate style retainers... When was yours built Bill?

[Bill M.]

Re: 1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

[QUOTE=Ian Gaston (47813);597391When was yours built Bill?[/QUOTE]

Ian:

Car 2520, assembled in late December 1958.

Bill

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

Is there any logical explanation why they cut a few inches out of the centers? Doesn't make sense to me.

Rich

[Bill M.]

Re: 1959 Door Reveal Molding Reinforcement Bracket

Is there any logical explanation why they cut a few inches out of the centers? Doesn't make sense to me.

Rich

My guess is better retention. The retainers only work at the front and the back anyway. If they are two-piece, you can jam the retainer tight in the molding at both front and back before the molding is installed. My retainers have 2 holes for each screw. One was probably in the retainer as manufactured. I'll bet the other was drilled as the molding was installed. The retainers could move fore-aft once separated and had to be drilled at installation...?