Styling Exterior trim below the doors...

[Kent Kurt]

Hi everyone,

I cannot figure out whether the 500F should have a horisontal metal trim below the doors or not. I get conflicting info and wonder if you all can help me shed some light on this issue? Forgive me if this issue has already been put through the wringer here, I did search for exterior trim but was unable to find something relevant.

 

[JumpJet]

It was an option for the Nuova, 500 Sport, 500D, 500F, 500L, and Giardiniera according to "Fiat 500: La Guida". My 66 F has it as well. It was probably optional as well. There is so much crossover on trims/badging/etc... on the various models that it's very hard to definitively say what is "correct" and what has been added on after the fact.

BTW - where in the US are you?

 

[the hobbler]

As Matt (Jumpjet) has mentioned, the trim was an option on most of the models. I notice that your car does not have the trim---may I suggest that you leave 'as is'. The trim is a good rust-trap as you have a number of holes in the panel (slam-panel in your parlance?)for the trim clips. When my car was initially re-painted, I had the holes welded up and removed.

 

[fiat500]

Hi everyone,

I cannot figure out whether the 500F should have a horisontal metal trim below the doors or not.

Kurt, the trim under the doors was fitted to the 500 from a very early stage in development.

I think it is a very important part of the "look" of the car and apparently, it was always considered so by the original Italian purchasers.

The original methods of securing the trim are completely inconsiderate of their potential to encourage rust to form. Many of the repro. sill (rocker?) panels don't have the holes punched out for the fitting studs.

I fitted mine using a tricky method which involved the use of PU sealant and lots of masking tape.

 

[Toshi 975]

In my experience the trims were fitted by way of sprung steel wire clips. The new way is round plastic clips.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

I do believe there are some "Modern" trim attachment clips..
they slide in but have peel off sticky backs.....

I am sure if someone located them it would help a lot of people not drill holes...

There must be someone into modern euro box cars....

 

[JumpJet]

Concur with the rest... if you don't have the holes, don't add them. Use a modern trim strip adhesive to attach them if you're so inclined. I intend to have the holes welded up when Martina gets a full going-through and will use adhesive tape if I put them back on.

Keep in mind, pretty much every production car with similar strips uses adhesive these days.

 

[fiat500]

The new way is round plastic clips.

....if new means from the early '70's onwards....

I've seen images of the wire clips but only ever had cars with the plastic ones fitted.
The beauty of clips rather than simply glueing, as I have done, is that you have more scope to adjust the position of the strip in relation to the front and rear wheelarch bottoms. So As Bigvtwin996 pointed out, a modern, self-adhesive clip would be ideal. I used the plastic clips with the "rivet" cut off and applied adhesive to the base of these.
The aspect which takes some very careful thought and planning to get looking just right, is the exact and horizontal placement of the strips on the sill. If they are too low or high it just looks wrong.:bang: The problem is that the back of the stainless-steel strip is hollow.
See Murf as found...ignore the rust if you can.

 

[Kent Kurt]

Thanks everyone!
I gather from all of your very helpful comments that not all cars had this option and unless I find holes welded shut on my car I won't add them, and If I do I will make sure to attach them with adhesive tape.