C5 Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 454
Likes: 200
From: Chicago
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
C5 of Year Winner (stock) 2019
C5 Question
Why do some C5s have that strip of trim that runs across the side of the car, from behind the front wheel well, to just aft the door, and others to not. I thought it was specific to certain model years, but it doesn't appear to be. Someone please tell me what the deal is with that line running down the side of the car, so I can sleep tonight!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Why do some C5s have that strip of trim that runs across the side of the car, from behind the front wheel well, to just aft the door, and others to not. I thought it was specific to certain model years, but it doesn't appear to be. Someone please tell me what the deal is with that line running down the side of the car, so I can sleep tonight!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,057
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Why do some C5s have that strip of trim that runs across the side of the car, from behind the front wheel well, to just aft the door, and others to not. I thought it was specific to certain model years, but it doesn't appear to be. Someone please tell me what the deal is with that line running down the side of the car, so I can sleep tonight!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 454
Likes: 200
From: Chicago
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (stock)
C5 of Year Winner (stock) 2019
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,769
Likes: 483
From: Douglas County WI
Corvette Black Book shows the following: Body side molding: Option code B84. Installed on 4,366 1997s ($75.00), 17,070 on 1998s, 19,348 on 1999s, 18,733 on 2000s, 20,457 on 2001s, 21,422 on 2002s, 22,433 on 2003s (price increase to $150.00), and 20,626 on 2004s. Looking at total production numbers, it appears that roughly 60% were ordered with B84 option.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
People have mixed results removing them. Sometimes they leave "shadows" in the paint, sometimes they don't. Depends on the condition of the car, how it was driven/stored, etc. Despite intentions they still won't do the best job of protecting against scuffs and such as vehicles have varying height doors as as you get further towards the fender scoop they recess further in. I'm rather glad my car didn't have that option ticked as I wouldn't want to deal with them.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,320
Likes: 24,777
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I think the C5 looks good either way. It was an option so buyers did have a choice.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 196
Likes: 10
From: Marietta Ga
Why do some C5s have that strip of trim that runs across the side of the car, from behind the front wheel well, to just aft the door, and others to not. I thought it was specific to certain model years, but it doesn't appear to be. Someone please tell me what the deal is with that line running down the side of the car, so I can sleep tonight!
Mine had the B84 option but one of the previous owners must have removed it. They did a good job as it is not noticeable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I like both looks. Mine have them and it saved me some big $$$ to repair the door when a person parked next to the passenger side where I was parked. Happened to be a windy day and when this young lady got out the wind caught the her door and slammed it into the Vette I was setting in the driver's seat. She momentarily look at it and started walking away. I got out and I spoke to her. 
She was a little startled. After looking at the area where the door hit, it just made a tiny scratch on the molding. Noting that a small dab of touch up paint will do the job. I am certain the force of the door hitting the Vette's side door would have required a major fix. The molding is designed to absorb these types of hits without requiring a major repair. Mine will stay on. 
She was a little startled. After looking at the area where the door hit, it just made a tiny scratch on the molding. Noting that a small dab of touch up paint will do the job. I am certain the force of the door hitting the Vette's side door would have required a major fix. The molding is designed to absorb these types of hits without requiring a major repair. Mine will stay on.
