My 70 GS has holes along the side, the middle of the body panels where the normal angle is. This appears to be a set of mounting holes for trim that goes along the side of the body in three pieces, one on the front fender, door, and rear quarter. Looking around this forum I've seen many cars without this trim, some with this three piece trim, and some with four or five piece trim that goes from the rear bumper all the way to the front. My understanding is extra trim like this is typically a dealer installed option and not factory. Is this the case on Buicks as well? I'll just fill the trim holes if these are dealer installed. I like the clean look better but if it's factory I want to make sure they get installed during resto. I attached a pic for reference, I hope the owner does not mind. Thanks. P.S. Are there mounting holes for the long vinyl top trim piece that sits under the rear window? Or is it just attached with like adhesive?
So after looking over my Sloan documentation, I notice that the "protective" side body molding is a factory option. I still don't like the look of the trim on the car. I haven't seen very many GS 350 for sale, most are 455. How much do you think the value would change if this stock resto didn't have this said trim on it?
For the vinyl top trim, the pot metal rear corners have two studs, one rear and one side, with coresponding holes in the body. The stainless long trim on the sides and accross the back is held on with plastic clips that snap over little studs that look like nailheads welded to the body.
I don't think it would change the value siginificantly. I guess it just depends on how anal you want to be about keeping it original. I personally like the looks of them. Great looking car you have:TU:
This is an "option". The factory placed (3) trim pieces along each side to protect it from parking lot dings, attached with a combination of nail heads and screws. Many don't like the look, so most folks leave them off when they re-paint. Also, after years of use it can be very difficult to find all six pieces in nice shape. I personally like them. :TU:
I hate the things. No one ever said they don't like cars without them though. Personal preference I guess.
I've always thought the "protective" side body moldings hide the nice sharp body lines of the sheet metal. So I'm going to leave them off and likely shave the holes since I'm doing body work. More body work however will come from figuring out how to reattach the vinyl trim. The previous owner ground off all the nailhead-like mounting studs... wtf? I refuse to punch holes in the body with sheetmetal screws designed as studs. Better to take care of this now than too far into paint prep.
Are there holes? or are there only studs that need ground off and surfaced? I have a lesabre with factory side mouldings and I noticed the cars I like the best dont have them. Cars without them have a younger more carefree look to them that I like, the protective strips indicate a loss of youth and carefreeness. haha.. thats my analysis.. body lines look better without, but the do protect from dings, and mine are in perfect shape, what to do what to do?
