The chrome trim strip on my 72 is broken where it attaches on the driver side. It screws into the body and it seems to have ripped off just past the screw. Can this be fixed somehow (welded?). I've not seen this part available for sale. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

>Fixing it - Yes...stainless can be TIG welded. BUT FIRST you need to see why the thing sticks up off the panel...is it bent somewhere else. These bends would need to be straightened if possible and the part should be prefitted so you know it will lay down right before you go spend $$ on getting it welded. Don't know for certain but the welding process may leave discolored areas around the weld that may or may not come out with polishing.

>Replacing it - Two options....these are reproduced now but I've never had my hands on one so I can't comment on fit or quality. I think they are priced in the $160-$170 range + shipping. Don't expect them to be super-duper shiny and almost chrome looking like you may have seen on cars that have had the stainless professionally polished.

You can find good used ones also...BUT...BE AWARE that the 68/69 moldings are different from the 70-72 moldings. They look the same next to each other but try to install one and you will know what I mean. So...you better make sure whoever sells you a used one either guarantees it's the correct year or find one locally and test fit it before buying it. This is one of those odd items that I think a lot of people think are generic between 68 and 72.

 

thanks, I think the problem is that the body work done by the previous owner is not quite right. I will try and mold the stainless better and get it welded.

 

I have a nice set of dent free, polished picnchweld moldings for your car, will be cheaper than trying to weld, and repolish..

 

I'm interested, can you PM me a price and a picture?

 

Yes---and his is the right one for your car (70-2 version). Good guy to deal with.

Can't tell from your pics exactly but it looks like your moulding is hammered/bent as opposed to "bodywork" being the cause. Having problems (dents/prior bodywork/etc) up at the top of the quarterpanel where your molding is located wouldn't be very common.

 

The reason mine ripped off in the exact same spot was the convertible top frame is missing the shims between the frame & the body. The frame drags against the trim as it's going up & tears it off. Mine tore off at the screw hole. There may enough meat left there to get a small screw through the outer sweep and into the extrior panel. That's what I did but I had more left than you do

 

I added some photos. It looks like there was some rust of damage the previous owner tried to repair. The edge looks wrong. I also noticed that it wasn't screwed in on the drivers side. I'm going to try to bend to fit and screw and see how it looks.

 

How many trim clips were attaching it? I don't see the paint scratched where they should have been. That will effect how well the trim pieces sit also

 

I found three screws. The one on the end at the drivers side that ripped out, one on the curve of the drivers side that also ripped the chrome strip and one on the end of the passenger side that was still there. It seems I can drill a few holes, bend the strip a little and get it to look OK. It just a weekend cruiser, not looking for perfect.

 

I didn't have screws (except at each end). My was held in with clips. This may be a difference between 68-69 & 70-72

 

Screws seem to be the method of attachment the factory used from 70 on up from what I have seen. Don't know exact cutoff but I pulled a pre-70 molding from a Tempest convert a few years back and it was held on with the clips. Have dealt with a few 70-2's and those all seemed to use screws.