Topic: Your opinion on Body Side Moldings

['78 LadyBird]

When Frank bought me the car, the previous owners included a new set of gray and chrome body side moldings.

I really haven't seen any on the TA's.  I don't remember it being on my previous TA's either.

Did the body side molding come with the car out of the factory, or was this an extra option?

Anyone have them on their car?

If so, can you send a pic to me or post here?

[PA Formula 78]

No moldings.  You don't wanna mess up the clean lines of the car with moldings on the side.

[ta78w72]

Side moldings were an option, sometimes put on by the factory and sometimes put on by the dealer.

[Gunner]

My car has side moldings on it. While I think they're ugly as sin, they DO protect my car from door dings. I'm acutally torn between putting it back on when I get the body fixed, or having it removed. Dunno what I'm gonna do.

Gunner

[T/A Kid]

Mine came without them so that's the way I restored it but Gunner is right when someone opens a door on them it leaves a sad story. so park a long way from anyone else and leave two armed guards at all times.

[eroc022]

i think its stick on molding was factory, and riveted on molding was dealer.....

[jphillips3333]

I don't have them on any of the cars.  They only work if the door opening on yours is the same height as your molding.  With today's SUVS, trucks and who knows what else, it's easier to park it in the back lot to avoid the dings ...healthier too.

['78 LadyBird]

LOL John,
Healthier!  You got it.  I agree with you on that one.

Too many times I will behind someone that waits for a spot closer to the enterance and hold up the line (notorious in Walmart parking lot) and people get frustrated because there are cars piling up behind this one that is waiting. And if they went 5 more spots, one is open!  Well, when that person finally gets in the spot, out comes this 400lb person.  

I just think yeah, park a little further down and walk!  It is much healthier!!

[jphillips3333]

Well, we all have our problems.  I'm not 400 but do feel sorry for people with mobility issues.  The thing that bothers me in Walmart, and it's an ever growing trend (no pun intended), is the 30+ year old men/women on the mobile carts.  I think they need to NOT make it so easy to be lazy, in many cases, and make them walk more around the store to get that minimal exercise.  Yes, Walmart is minimal exercise in the air conditioning - they're not squatting 405 in the store or running for 30 minutes on an incline.

The problem is you still have a chance to not die of a heart attack but they let people in these things who are young and can still do something about their weight! 

Sorry, got on a rant ...

[78Formula]

Well, I guess I'll be the odd ball because I do like the body side moldings on some cars. I wasn't going to put the body side molding back on my car after it was repainted until I saw how it looked without it. My car just needed something to brake the paint up between the gold and the white. Now, mine is a Formula and it is a different story for Trans Am's. It's really just a matter of opinion, if you think it looks better with them or without them and it depends on the car also, but that's just my opinion

['78 LadyBird]

John,
I know what your saying and agree with you, but some of these people that are young and then they do this, (wait for a closer spot) just irks me. 
Come on now.........there is a spot 5 down, walk your butt a few more steps!

I like the one's that have a handicap sticker and they get out of the car and have no obvious physical handicap.  Young ones!  I feel for the seniors and the ones that do have a handicap and never can get a spot because of someone "just" having, or borrowing the handicap sign. 
I know a few that are notorious for doing that.  They use a family members sign just so that they can park up front.

Ok, who is ranting now?? LOL

['78 LadyBird]

Getting back to the subject.  I'm not too sure if I will put it on or not.   Maybe I can lay it there with some painter's tape and see what it looks like.

78Formula-------yours looks great and your right, it does break up the color.

[78Formula]

Haha I'm gonna try not to go on a rant but I know exactly how you both feel. I can't stand when someone blocks the entire lane in front of Walmart for 20 mins just because they want the first spot closest to the store, when there is clearly one maybe 4 spaces down that would make them walk a total of maybe 10 more steps. And I do feel bad for the people who may actually need a handicap spt and can't use one for people who don't actually need to use one, but just park there anyways. Okay so I did rant a little bit haha  

But, yeah I would just maybe get some painters tape or something and just check and see what you thought of it being on there. I think you car would look great with or without it   But, I could show you a picture of what mine looked like with and without the molding, if you want to see them?

['78 LadyBird]

Oh yes!  I would love to see photos.......I'm a photo nut!!  lol

[78Formula]

Haha alright here they are. Of course my car is different because it does have the Formula stripe at the bottom and no fender spoilers like the Trans Ams, but I hope this will help you out some:
Without the body side molding:

With the body side molding: