jusplainwacky

Anyone that has tried to put on the door window reveal molding on a 56-58, knows that the retainer fits like crap to the stainless. Most people end up cutting the retainer and bending them to fit...and even then you'll be lucky to get the stainless molding to fit correctly on it.

The other problem is....when the retainer screws down on the body there is no gap between the fiberglass and the retainer for the stainless to clip on to. Some people put some very thin washers under the retainer so that there is a gap for the stainless to clip on to.

The design was so bad that in 59-62, they did away with the retainer and went with these "retainer clips". The new design made it a lot easier to put on and take off as it now is one piece and less likely to scratch your paint. Trying to get the stainless off a 56-58 is a bitch to put it lightly.

Well...I decided to convert my 58 reveal retainer to be like the 59-62, and yet keep the original look.

Here are some pictures that shows how I did it.

I grinded down the retainer, but left a lip for the clip to "grab".







I used some Dorman "Body-Tite" molding retainers. Both boxes had the same part number (45450), but where different sizes. The employee said they were left over from a store they closed. One was 10-24 x3/4" stud and 10-24 x 9/16" stud. There maybe some better ones that fit, but these worked and will get you in the ball part if anyone decides to try it.



It's also important that before you drill your new holes, that you move the clips "forward" because you will need to slide the stainless forward.



About 5 posts down I have pictures of the install. It fits like a glove. Nice thing about modifying the retainer this way is that it lifts up the fiberglass to the stainless reveal molding so there is no gap.

thoyer

I was fighting the same thing on the drivers side molding last night. The passenger side went on without issue. Go figure.........

I decided to walk away before I messed up the paint. At work today, I was contemplating doing exactly what you describe.

Sometimes I wonder how they ever built these cars on a production line, but then again they were not dealing with reproduction parts either.

Tom

jusplainwacky

I gave up on trying to get mine to fit. As you can see from the picture, the retainer doesn't even fit the stainless.

I also called Corvette Central and told them about how crappy the retainers fit. They guy said in the 150 or so sets they have sold, they haven't had one complaint and questioned why I was the only one with the problem.

I suggested that he get a retainer and the reveal molding and just put the two together and let me know how they fit. The next day called me back (to my surprise) and said, "You are right, they don't fit"...and he was surprised nobody has ever called to complain. He also stated this is how they came from the factory and even back then they cut them up. So, let see if I get this right...the design was crappy and they don't fit...and yet they just continue on making them that way for the sake of originality??

rfn026

Corvette Central also has a problem with gas tanks that don't fit. At one time CC was the best in the business. Something has transpired. I used to buy everything from them. I'm going to give Long Island a try and see if they make parts that actually fit.

Richard Newton

jimh_1962

I would say that's not an accurate statement. The tanks are dropped shipped from another company who produces the tanks. What else has "transpired"?

Pilot Dan

It's important to let the vendors know when parts don't fit correctly, that's the only way to get things fixed. Good you did that! Keep in mind, Corvette Central as well as most of the vendors each make some of their own parts but very often there is only one source for a particular part that everyone carries, so your fitment experience would likely be the same even with a different vendor. Sometimes there are foreign and US made choices for the same part, but I don't think so in this case. Pilot Dan

jusplainwacky

The side front stainless that goes over the wheel is a perfect example of it not being made right...and CC decided to make their own so that it fit correctly.

jusplainwacky

Getting back to my original post...I discovered a slight annoyance, in that when you put on the clip, it can slip off the retainer and end up below the lip. To help prevent this, you can either bend the edge up, or as I did, use a dremel tool and put a groove in the retainer for the clip to catch on.

jimh_1962

Okay, I my opinion comes with personal experiences. I had bought all of the parts needed to refurbish my seats (new padding, seat bottom springs, foam, canvas and covers). I had bought the seat bottom springs from CC. Afterwards, about a year later I had scheduled a time when Al knoch could do the seats at Bloomington. Al Knoch refused to do the work since the springs were not correct. At the show, I got CC involved and got both companies to took the springs and looked into the problem.

The springs were purchased as the correct reproduction springs. CC talked to Al Knoch and was able to determine their vendor who supplied the springs were not accurate. CC followed through with me and replaced the springs at no charge with Al Knoch seat bottom springs.

What I am saying it is up to you to point out any differences... Also, do your homework before you buy any reproduction parts.

jusplainwacky

Here are some pictures of the reveal molding installed. It fits great. Nice thing about modifying the retainer to use the clips is that it lifts up the fiberglass against the stainless resulting in no gap. And you can slide it forward or backwards for a perfect fit to the door post.

I like it!

jusplainwacky

Forget the dremel tool trick...doesn't really work.

What I ended up doing is bending the metal to make a channel for the clip.

I first took the retainer and put it into a vise and tapped the edges down.



Then I squeezed the pieces together making a channel for the clip to slide in and not slip out.



If you look closely, you can see the clip is in the channel...now it doesn't slip out and this works great.

jusplainwacky

All done....ready to be assembled on to the car after it gets painted. They have been powder coated.

rich5962

Nice work Dennis!

jusplainwacky

Thanks Rich!

I'm sure glad I did this...it is so much easier to install and take off. Plus it fits a hell of a lot better.

thoyer

As soon as I can get some play time in the garage, I will be trying the "Wacky Method"!

Tom

jusplainwacky

LOL@Wacky method