I finally have my 54 Olds Super 88 over to my painter. I'm going full original paint job. He's getting everything stripped off including getting the fenders over to a metal shop to repair some sizable rust holes.

He needs to replace some of the trim clips, but original style clips don't seem to exist anymore (please chime in if that is not true, with some sources). I've attached a photo of the different style clips the car used (these are all original). I can probably save most of them, but if anyone has thoughts on doing this I'd appreciate it (the old ones are pretty rusty). An example of the issues is that the lower rocker trim clips are now "loose" after being removed, when they are inserted pack into the body. I assume I just need to bend them on the backside just a bit to get them to tighten back up?

I see a lot of options for "generic" clips which I'm assuming I need to go for those that need replacing.

If anyone has done this on a '54 Super 88 and can share their thoughts, knowledge and any potential sources for replacement parts, I would GREATLY appreciate it.


Trim clips

Body being stripped of old paint

Fenders and rust damage

 

Well, no answers from anyone on this question. Rather than ordering up different generic trim clips to find something that would work, I decided to design some new ones in 3D CAD and print some out in carbon fiber on my 3D printer. After a LOT of designs and printing, I think I at least have the two problem clips (rocker and door clips) printed out that will work with the trim and hold up to some abuse. The car is still with my painter but he's almost finished with the main body (fenders needed some metal work that was holding up progress). While the carbon fiber clips fit the trim nicely I still need to verify the fit into the body panels as well as the ensuring a snug fit between the trim and the body.

door and rocker trim clips