Question on Removable Rear Window Lower Trim
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Question on Removable Rear Window Lower Trim
I have been trying to put this piece in my '68 Coupe and it will not fit correctly. It is aftermarket and the problem may be related to that or because I have the wrong piece. I cant get the "Velcro" pads to engage. I have an original to compare it to and there are some differences between them, but not a lot. The original is shorter, however, after using aftermarket quarter panel pieces it appears that it needs to be longer. If I were to use the original it would not fill the gap between them. The original did not have screws. It had two pegs in the top to hook in openings in the body and the Velcro pads. However, there are two spots in the body with little clips to put the screws into. But the spacing just doesn't match up to the holes in the trim. Close but not quite. So right now I cant make the Velcro grab and I cant make the screws fit. Is it possible that there are different versions of this trim piece for different years and I have the wrong one?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 68,
I would expect 68 cars to have the piece of lower trim mounted without screws.... but?
Here's a photo of the quarter panel trim and the u-nut slipped on that little fiberglass bracket.
Does this help with the position of the screws when they began being used?
Regards,
Alan
And one with the quarter trim removed. Notice on this one the screw was driven into the fiberglass, not the u-nut, when the car was assembled.
I would expect 68 cars to have the piece of lower trim mounted without screws.... but?
Here's a photo of the quarter panel trim and the u-nut slipped on that little fiberglass bracket.
Does this help with the position of the screws when they began being used?
Regards,
Alan
And one with the quarter trim removed. Notice on this one the screw was driven into the fiberglass, not the u-nut, when the car was assembled.
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 8, 2018 at 09:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Hi 68,
I would expect 68 cars to have the piece of lower trim mounted without screws.... but?
Here's a photo of the quarter panel trim and the u-nut slipped on that little fiberglass bracket.
Does this help with the position of the screws when they began being used?
Regards,
Alan
And one with the quarter trim removed.
I would expect 68 cars to have the piece of lower trim mounted without screws.... but?
Here's a photo of the quarter panel trim and the u-nut slipped on that little fiberglass bracket.
Does this help with the position of the screws when they began being used?
Regards,
Alan
And one with the quarter trim removed.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
I gave up struggling with the aftermarket piece and was very fortunate to find an OEM one locally in excellent condition. Amazing how when they are made correctly they actually fit.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Yes, I dry fitted it and it looks good. I just shot it with gunmetal color and when it dries I will proceed. I am very glad that we have aftermarket for the times when you don't have another good option. However, like you say, it seems like interior trim is almost always a struggle. This time, thanks to a local Vette shop that is ran by a super nice guy, I got hooked up with a quality OEM piece for less money and a nice fit. Win, win. As they say. :-) Next is to move on to the overhead area and still keep tweaking that window until I get it nailed down right. I will be SO glad to finish this rear area and move on towards the front, seats, door panels, etc.
Last edited by 68/BB; Mar 8, 2018 at 04:14 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,240
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From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I ran into the same trouble with a repop one on my 69. Going to try to repair my original. Been looking for an original with the two studs still intact but haven’t found one. You were lucky to find one.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Here is my old one showing studs or pins on back side. Also, you can see the new one recently painted and one of the overhead (halo?) sections which is my original piece just painted to freshen it up. The replacement piece I found is not '68 "correct" because it uses screws in addition to the Velcro. However, in my case I needed the screws to hold the quarter trim in position.
Last edited by 68/BB; Mar 8, 2018 at 05:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Question for you Allan on that stud. Is that just a locating pin or does that fit thru the center section and have a nut and washer used on it? I cant tell by looking at the AIM if a nut goes on that or not and I am getting ready to install that center trim piece.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 68,
It holds the trim piece in place.
The 'ringed' stud in the piece of trim mounts in a flat spring steel plate that's pop riveted to the birdcage. The plate has a small diameter hole in it.
You install the trim piece by giving the trim a 'pop' with the side of your hand. This pushes the stud through the plate and the plate grabs the rings.
To remove the piece you give it a gentle 'jerk' to get the stud to release out of the hole in the plate.
Obviously this method was designed while thinking this piece of trim might never be removed in the life of the car.... but we screwed that theory up.
Regards,
Alan
It holds the trim piece in place.
The 'ringed' stud in the piece of trim mounts in a flat spring steel plate that's pop riveted to the birdcage. The plate has a small diameter hole in it.
You install the trim piece by giving the trim a 'pop' with the side of your hand. This pushes the stud through the plate and the plate grabs the rings.
To remove the piece you give it a gentle 'jerk' to get the stud to release out of the hole in the plate.
Obviously this method was designed while thinking this piece of trim might never be removed in the life of the car.... but we screwed that theory up.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Hi 68,
It holds the trim piece in place.
The 'ringed' stud in the piece of trim mounts in a flat spring steel plate that's pop riveted to the birdcage. The plate has a small diameter hole in it.
You install the trim piece by giving the trim a 'pop' with the side of your hand. This pushes the stud through the plate and the plate grabs the rings.
To remove the piece you give it a gentle 'jerk' to get the stud to release out of the hole in the plate.
Obviously this method was designed while thinking this piece of trim might never be removed in the life of the car.... but we screwed that theory up.
Regards,
Alan
It holds the trim piece in place.
The 'ringed' stud in the piece of trim mounts in a flat spring steel plate that's pop riveted to the birdcage. The plate has a small diameter hole in it.
You install the trim piece by giving the trim a 'pop' with the side of your hand. This pushes the stud through the plate and the plate grabs the rings.
To remove the piece you give it a gentle 'jerk' to get the stud to release out of the hole in the plate.
Obviously this method was designed while thinking this piece of trim might never be removed in the life of the car.... but we screwed that theory up.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by 68/BB; Mar 12, 2018 at 02:32 PM.