I have a 72 coupe and I am going to be starting on the body soon and I am not sure if I should get rid of the delux trim or not. There are a couple of places where it is coming undone but not that bad. I know I am going to have to pull it off to do it right but I am not sure what I am going to do with all the holes in the body from where it is attached. I plan on going out this weekend on a hunt for a new fender and I am not too sure if I should try to narrow my search with the trim or not. Does anyone have any experience with removing this trim and how did you clean the car up? I don't want to get to the end and see the body all painted and clean and have this trim that would ruin it. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks..
I have mixed feelings about this. For me it really depends on the overall look you're after with this car. I think the nice thin moulding looks good on a mostly stock-looking car. However, if you plan to go for the resto-mod look, I agree with Earl - smooth is better. I have both and I like each for different reasons. If your mouldings are coming off in places or are otherwise beat up, it might be wise to remove them from the start. You'll have to weld the holes shut and this assumes that you're up for a total repaint anyway. If not, it's better to leave things as they are until you're ready for paint. Just my opinion. Sam
I'm with Earl - ditch it. Mine was an LDO and I stripped the trim off. It looks much better without it - I think so, anyway. -Corbin
If you decide to ditch the trim, you'd obviously have to fill the holes. I had to have this done with a replacement fender when I first restored the Stallion because it was off of an LDO car. Make sure you fill the holes with a welder, not just putty. The putty will sink and even if you end up filling in the holes well, in time the putty shrinks and you'll see divits where the holes were. Whether you ditch the trim is up to whatever you want the car to look like when it's done. Personally, I'm not crazy about it.
its funny how when a car is new all the extra trim makes it a deluxe... and is "the better model" but later on everyone wants to take it off! funny don't you think? i ditched my LDO moldings on one car.. but keep the other with the LDO becuase its correct to the time period. I also figure there aren't very many LDO left.. just my thoughts. and as someone meantioned about welding the holes... i agree! weld them! here what my car looked like when the moldings came off at the body shop.. alot of work
read this thread, went outside and ripped the trim off of my car. Never noticed how much better this will make it look. thanks guys.
I agree, ditch the trim. I think most people like the clean look of the Maverick, shows the it's lines off better!
I dont like them but, if you decide to remove them, do it carefully, because sombody will want them, some day. This stuff is not reproduced and very hard to find in decent condition. Help a fellow Maverick buddy out.
My 71 only had 8.200 original miles on it in 97 when i bought it and had no trim at all on it. Looked good from the start , I've found with other old fords ive had over the years that trim is a good place to rust to start. I say ditch it and go clean.
Sorry People...I don't agree. I tossed the subject around for a couple of years. I really thought I wanted to remove my LDO trim & go with the Comet GT look (decal). When it came down to it, I decided to leave it. Mainly, because everyone was telling me, chrome was in, in the 70's. I'm still going with the GT trim options, but leaving the LDO trim on the car. I think it will break up the color & add to the lines...we'll see with the finished product.
There is a aftermarket adheisive version of the trim, get that if you want fresh new trim it looks just as good or better than the factory trim.
There is a third option. Most of you guys know about the California Chrome. Refinish crome to look great then powder coat it with a transulcent color. The crome shows through the color mostly black but I've seen red. Never on a Mav though, Mustangs, Monte Carlos and a few Crapmaros.
