INTERIOR PANEL TRIM - 59 BELVIE CONVERTIBLE

[Dick Koch]

I'm looking for the curved trim piece for drivers side rear panel, mirror image to one in picture. Also both trim pieces for bottom of doors, they install just above the kick panel at bottom of door panel. These pieces have prongs that go thru the panel and then the prongs are bent over to hold them in place. The ones I have all the prongs are broken off, see pictures.
Dick.

[tomf]

Dick, I had some of the prongs broken off on my trim, and I modified some fasteners to take their place. Find a small oval shaped one with a stud and reshape the oval until it will lock into the stainless lips. Some of these have a spring to hold them in, but the spring is usually lost in the grinding down of the plate. You will be mounting this trim where you can get to the back side of the panel with a nut or keeper of some kind, so keeping the plate locked in the channel is not a problem.

Tom

[Dick Koch]

Thanks Tom - I take it I will have to remove the piece of steel that the prongs were on from the inside of the stainless moulding, any sugestions on how, I assume a long soaking in Blast-off, etc.
Dick.

[tomf]

Actually I did not remove the strip as several of the prongs were still there. There is room for the fastener to go into the stainless. I did have to grind off what was left of a broken prong with a Dremmel, to get the fastener in place to use the same hole. You could put the fastener next to the broken prong and make a new hole, that would save the grinding.

Tom

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Dick, I was looking at the picture of your interior 1/4 widow panel and it looks totally different to mine and Tom Fox's panel. The molding you have looks to be a 58 model style not a 59. I will dig up a 58 vert picture in a few mins....

Here is a pic of what Tom's rear panel looks like, mine is configured the same way (just not as nice yet!)

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Alright, here is a pic of a 58 plymouth rear interior convert quarter window panel for comparison...


John Q.

[Dick Koch]

Thanks for the info John - Now my search is for either a passenger side curved on like in the 58 or two like in you and Tom's car. ARGGGGJJHH!!! Did I speel that rite.
Dick.

[Matthew Keij]

My best guess is you need the 2 strips like Tom.
Maybe the one you have were used in early 59's but I remember yours is a late 59?

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Dick, I will take a look at mine (metal strips) to see if they are similar to any other straight door panel trim that could be used on the rear metal panel. Curving another set of similar moldings would not be a problem to do sicne the bends are slight.

I have see the pictures of early 59's belvy convertible interiors (press car) and it has the molding style that Tom and I have. So don't know about the early or late production panels that may have crossed model years.

If it was mechanical parts they would use up any old stock on the line but Model year interior trim correctness was always a major point on model year change over at the plants. Doubtful if 58 trim was used on a 59. Not impossible but doubtful...



John Q.

[Matthew Keij]

Dick, I just found 2 of the Tom Fox version strips here! They are in good condition

[Dick Koch]

Unbelievable, who'd of thought there was any left in this world, I want em. The check is in the mail as soon as I find out the amount$. Plus shipping costs. You gotta be the best trim finder there is. Would you take a look see to see if you have the R & L strips that have the prongs on them, they go at the bottom of the door panel and seperate the vinyl from the carpet kick panel. Mine have no prongs.
Thanks a ton,
Dick.

Mail to: Richard Koch
4951 S. Kay St.
Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. 33418

[Matthew Keij]

I will check later today if I can. Not feeling very good.
I think I might have something.

Do you have a good picture of the door panel?

[Dick Koch]

Look at the top of this thread and you will see the two strips I need or go to Dick's Convertible Project page 5 to see the panels. It's the two strips at the top of the picture. Probable HAMBURGERITIS, hope you feel better soon.
Dick

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Dick, on the Belvedere door panels there are only two stainless strips. One above and one below the arm rest.Both are curved,one up and one down.

There is no straight strip that seperates the bottom color area at the lower edge of the door. SF's have them but Belvy's don't.

Here is another picture of Tom's car door panel and the original door panel (shot!) of mine.

[Matthew Keij]

I think I have those strips!