Question: body side moldings on my '83 308 QV euro

This is the first that I've seen/heard of moldings. Given that the FPC doesn't show them for ANY 308/328 model, I seriously doubt that they're factory.

However, they don't look bad at all.

 

I've seen them on a 328. I think they're aftermarket, as the ones I saw were wavy and looked poorly installed.

I can see how they would prevent door dings, but I'm not a fan of the look and wouldn't put them on my car. My opinion. I suppose you could always remove them for shows.

 

It's not a factory thing. I actually know the guy who came up with the idea to shove that rubber in the groove back in the 80's. He told me where he got it a few years ago but it is no longer available. It was not ever something that was developed for the 308. It was simply something that was used for something else but fit just perfectly on the 308 too. I think it is a great idea and I have been trying to find the stuff for my car for the past ten years. I have a little piece in my desk drawer right now.

 

Yeah, not a factory thing. I've seen a couple cars like this, they don't look too bad. If you drive your car regularly and park in parking lots, then it wouldn't be a bad idea if you can find them.

Henry

 

If you want this why not make some?

On the Monzer I have designed the sides with a groove so that I could insert and bond in a rubber strip (actually it's an extrusion) for "anti-ding" and looks (it aligns with the joins between the front and rear bumpers and the clamshell bonnet/rear body). I am creating a small mushroom shape which is neater than a square profile. The "stem" of the mushroom fits into the groove.

 

+X on it not being factory

 

Not a factory thing, but some factory DEALERS installed them on 308s when new.

 

If I were a bit more cynical I’d say your observations indicate they came from the factory.

 

You mean because the wavy rubber strips neatly follow the wavy sheet metal?

 

Yep. Harmony in design and construction is everything.

 

Actually, all kidding aside, the body on the 308 is really very well done. I don’t know how much filler they used to make mine look the way it does, but I sure have no complaints. Certain aspects of the car lack quality but bodywork isn’t one of them.