82 308 side trim

Newer member and have a quick question.

Bought an 82 308 6 months ago. Doing a minor renovation.

Car has side rubber trim in the space between the upper and lower sides of the body.

Like the black door guard you see. It sticks out about 1/2 inch from the sides of the body. I haven't been able to find any 308's with "filler/protective rubber" in that space. Obviously done to protect the body from door damage. I'm guessing it is DIY/Aftermarket.

Are any 308's fitted with this protective rubber side strip? If not, all the one's I have seen have that gap painted black. Is that correct?

My car is Russo.

Thanks.

Jim in Chicago

 

I've never seen what your describing. Mat black paint is the factory treatment - as far as I know.

I'd take my chances with door dings before I'd resort to aftermarket protective trim.

 

Thanks so much. Mat black is all I have ever seen. Owner did a nice job - actually looks good. But as I am doing a respray - might as well get them gone.

 

Minor precision: the body crease, indent line, etc...should have only its vertical side painted matt black (with a slight little shine) but not its bottom nor its top ("ceiling", if you like). Only one side of the three...

Rgds

 

My 328 was wearing similar side trim when I bought the car. It was easy enough to remove the rubber, but the glue was a real bear! I was able to soften it with goo-gone and scrape it off with several afternoons' effort. Of course, if you're going to repaint then it could be sanded off instead.

All I can figure is that the rubber was added to prevent door dings.
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Thanks for the correction on what to call the body parts.

And, I also had a follow on question - you answered. Only the vertical piece gets painted.

Thanks to both of you.

 

If possible, could you post some pictures before you remove it? Just curious, I suppose.

 

It was an aftermarket product back when the car was new. I remember considering it at the time. I am surprised that SIXFOURSEVEN's car was glued. IIRC, it was designed to fit snug without any glue. One of the problems that some people experienced was rust....the rubber trapped moisture, and it would cause rust in the channel. I suggest that you look closely for rust when doing your restoration.

 

here is what it looks like...
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Haven't seen it on a 308 but a friend has the same piece on his 328

 

Yes, satin black, not matte.

 

Doesn't look as bad as door dings, but it's not for me. Thanks for the picture.

 

Thanks for the correction. I had some work done to my car after hitting a deer that included a re-spray of the front clip. The body shop neglected to use satin black forward of the front wheels. My car is black and it took a few days for me to notice. I didn't want to tie the car up for the body shop to fix it and kind of forgot about it. Easy enough repair that I'll get to one of these days.

 

Thanks for the responses.

Mine is the same as the pic posted - except - it is glued. Not a "snap" fit. Well done - but not a snap fit.

And you are correct - I have a bit of rust on top of one of the strips. That is the primary reason I want to get rid of them. They look like natural "water traps".

 

Hey Michael,

What is that car in the reflection? Looks kind of like a Big Healey, or an MGA, kind of a mystery.

Jeff

 

That was a little item that - as far as I know - was Steve Ahlgrim's idea at FAF back in the day. It was something off a hardware shelf that worked well as a door ding guard. I cannot find the stuff anymore but I am still looking.

Anyone out there that has it and wants to get rid of it, let me know

 

Also need curb feelers to complete the look.

 

no idea, neither car is mine ... just to show the trim

 

Looks like a Mk IV or 1500 Spitfire to me

 

My 85 308 has those inserts. I bought the car at FAF in '92 and Steve was the salesman. I'll have to ask him about it next time I see him.