72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

[Scott M.]

The piece I am referring to is the flat metal brackets that secure the rear trim piece to the edge of the fiberglass at the rear of the door opening. Are these pieces supposed to be painted the body color? Stainless? My car didn't have them on it when I got it so I am a bit confused. Thanks.

[Ralph S.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

Painted body color

[Don L.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

Scott, Ralph's right on retainer color. The known-original ones I've seen are lower gloss than the body, just like the jamb. I believe the screws, however, show as bright (not painted).

[Paul O.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

As Ralph and Don stated body color finish matching the door jamb and chromed Philips head screws slight rounded top of head not flat across.

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

OK. Well that's a bummer seeing as my car has been painted already. Thanks for the info.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

As Ralph and Don stated body color finish and door jamb and chromed hex head screws slight rounded top of head not flat across.

I am not sure we are talking about the same screws. If Scott's question is about the metal trim piece at the rear of the body door jam -- with screws through it into the plastic interior trim piece -- machine screws into a metal thread insert in the plastic? Then those screws are bright Philips head recessed into the metal trim. Oval head would be my description. Maybe Scott is asking about something else though. Wish I would have taken a picture as I was judging interiors today.

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

Terry, That is the area I am referring to. Also wondering if any of the Vette supply vendors sell a REAR interior screw set? I am to the point now where I am starting to put things back together inside. Getting excited! The interior was trashed when I got the car. That was the first thing I took out......14 years ago. Most of the pieces I could save and have re-dyed them.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

Terry, That is the area I am referring to. Also wondering if any of the Vette supply vendors sell a REAR interior screw set? I am to the point now where I am starting to put things back together inside. Getting excited! The interior was trashed when I got the car. That was the first thing I took out......14 years ago. Most of the pieces I could save and have re-dyed them.

I can't tell you about the availability of the screws, but it is common for the plastic to strip and fail to hold the screws. At one time some entrepreneur was selling metal inserts (kind of like Heli-Coils) to repair the original pieces, but that was years ago. I no longer follow vendor parts and availability.

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

I can't tell you about the availability of the screws, but it is common for the plastic to strip and fail to hold the screws. At one time some entrepreneur was selling metal inserts (kind of like Heli-Coils) to repair the original pieces, but that was years ago. I no longer follow vendor parts and availability.

Is there any documentation of the kind of screws that are supposed to be used in the rear interior area? A lot of the screws were all rusty and some didn't match. I would like to know what kind of screws go where and such. I just want it to look right.

[Reba W.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

I am not sure we are talking about the same screws. If Scott's question is about the metal trim piece at the rear of the body door jam -- with screws through it into the plastic interior trim piece -- machine screws into a metal thread insert in the plastic? Then those screws are bright Philips head recessed into the metal trim. Oval head would be my description. Maybe Scott is asking about something else though. Wish I would have taken a picture as I was judging interiors today.

Terry's description is correct. The ones that Corvette Central has appear too flat and with cross recess in the photo. The ones at EC Products look better although the picture does not clearly show the head. http://www.ecproducts.com/products/5...-pieces-68-77/

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

Is there any documentation of the kind of screws that are supposed to be used in the rear interior area? A lot of the screws were all rusty and some didn't match. I would like to know what kind of screws go where and such. I just want it to look right.

What you don't believe me? I know I always beg off on things not under the hood -- and even F up some of that from time to time.

Two of us judged a 1969 (except ops) today, and I looked at these while doing interior. I could take a photo of them on my car, but I would be lying if I told you they had never been out of that car, and I am sure they had been removed from the one I judged today. How about the 1970-72 TIM&JG I am kind of thinking we describe the screws in there, but I don't have mine with me and the Chapter's manuals are in storage -- the meet is over. You don't suppose we covered them there?

[Randy C.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

I did some research on this because I couldn't find anything in aftermarket interior screw kits that fit the bill of what the original screws looked like. I ended up going to AMK Products and ordering their part number B-13897 (10 screw to a package). It's an 8-32 X 1/2" chrome screw, Phillips head with a slightly oval #6 head. It fit nicely and looks about as original as anything I could find. Randy C.

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

Are any of those interior trim fasteners using "finishing" washers?

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

Are any of those interior trim fasteners using "finishing" washers?

Not the one in question because the head goes through a metal piece. No washer required.

BTW: I am informed that neither the 1968-69 not the 1970-72 TIM&JG has anything about these screws. This is one of those slap your head moments. I would have bet that they were mentioned, but now we have something (else) for the next revision(s).

Edit add: All the cars here at the Illinois Chapter meet are all buttoned up -- including two 1972 4-star Bowtie cars. Something about timing comes to mind.

[Scott M.]

Re: 72 Interior Rear Quarter Trim Panel Retainer

Terry, the question about fastener types was more of a general rear interior question. Like the fasteners that hold the rear roof panels to the rear quarter panels and the one that hold the trim underneath the rear window. I thought that these may have used finishing washers. Don't know if anyone could just stick there head there car and take a peek? Thanks for the info peoples!