1970 superior caddy side trim

J

John Zicha

PCS Member / EMT / PARAMEDIC
Our project 1970 Cadillac is finally at the body shot getting it's makeover. While we were getting it ready removing the trim (body length spears type mounted mid line), most of it had to be cut and or was destroyed (it wasn't in good shape to begin with). Does anyone have any leads on where to get trim that we could you down the entire side of both sides of the car? I'm thinking that really isn't going to be an option, so I'd even be interested in finding out what after market options that people have utilized.
 
Sir - there is no ready aftermarket source. All of what your team cut was custom made for the car. It is possible there is a shop out there that can makes custom trim like that - but I'm not aware of it and suspect it would be expensive. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in.

There is a chance CW Coach or a PCS member here has some. That's your best shot now. Knowing that each year was generally unique between coachbuilders as well, I can only guess that it's slim chances for what you need. Kurt Arends in particular would be more knowledgable than me on sourcing.

It has been a long process for my 1970 C/B-Oldsmobile - and if there's anything I've learned it's that you should never take anything for granted on these. Do you still have the trim? If you do, several folks here have had good luck getting it welded and repaired to like-new status.
 
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Trim

John Zicha said:
Our project 1970 Cadillac is finally at the body shot getting it's makeover. While we were getting it ready removing the trim (body length spears type mounted mid line), most of it had to be cut and or was destroyed (it wasn't in good shape to begin with). Does anyone have any leads on where to get trim that we could you down the entire side of both sides of the car? I'm thinking that really isn't going to be an option, so I'd even be interested in finding out what after market options that people have utilized.
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If you can get a profile pic of the trim and length . I might have it. Most of this trim in this stack is early to mid 7o,s
 

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Nicholas Studer said:
Do you still have the trim? If you do, several folks here have had good luck getting it welded and repaired to like-new status.
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No...in my fit of frustration and rage removing it, I just ripped it off the car and crumpled it up and trashed it because it was in bad shape.
 
The best that you can do now, is to take measurements of the front fender, front door, rear door, and the quarter panel, and post each length. With those measurements, it is possible to find suitable pieces that might fit "as is", or if necessary, can be cut down in size, welded, polished, and installed. The good news is that the parts are the same right and left, the bad news is that the doors have a particular profile at the front of each door that allows the door to open without catching the molding, or at least it is that way on many cars. It is the long quarter panel moldings that are the most difficult to get, because they were sourced from convertible parts. The profile on those changed from front to the rear (depending on the year), only slightly, but enough to be noticeable.
 
John, my suggestion is if someone here can't help you, take your time and locate the correct trim. I think you will find it, if you start making calls and doing google searches. I believe the trim is the same, or similar from 1965 up. Remember, that molding is not exclusive to an ambulance, a hearse, or combo would have the same trim. You can always go into the aftermarket later.
 
John Zicha said:
No...in my fit of frustration and rage removing it, I just ripped it off the car and crumpled it up and trashed it because it was in bad shape.
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Wow! It looks like it was in awfully good shape in the photo! Aftermarket always looks like aftermarket.
 
I have one 70,one 69 and two 67s left in the yard will try to check em today. Not walking all that well at present. Actually there are stickon plastic Chrome mouldings that will look fine and no one but an expert will know the difference. Back years ago we had some ambulance companys that used them due to the cost of the real ones.
 
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The rule of thumb with these cars is never toss anything away till the car rolls out the door finished. Something to remember for your next one.
Trim is the same as the the standard caddy that year. But of course it is different lengths. So you first need to determine what door ends you have beveled one end blunt the other beveled both. All the manufactures did it different. It's junk yard shoping the quarters off a two door hard top are the longest they are longer then what you need but you best choice as you can trim them and only need to do one cut. Same as the long doors. It takes 8 four door cars to make moldings for yours or 4 two door . The good news is front fenders are standard. You can make a acceptable blunt end with a cut and fold. But tapered no way. Four door moldings will need to be spliced and welded. The the midline moldings were all that was caddy all the rest are manufacture only. As is the glass rubber in the rear glass. I do have a number of pieces off a late 60s superior. But they would all be in need off cleaning up and buffing. The vendor's may be able to supply you with new two door trim. In the correct year. But it would be up to you to trim it to size and make your blunt ends.
 
Kurt Arends said:
Your frustration and temper cost you a lot of money, if original is important to you!
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Sadly, that's the story of my life lol. But, no having it original isn't especially important. I'll try to locate the trim when I get it back, but worst case I'll just use a body molding stick on trim.
 
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