Build Sheet Bingo Door Illustrations

Did you ever wonder why some Firebirds have rain gutters and some don't? How about those door moldings? Are they original? Believe it or not, there are 8 or 9 different options that appear on the door of a firebird. These include door edge guards and body side moldings to protect against damage, drip moldings, several bright moldings used to create a different look for the Esprit, sport mirrors, door handle decals and eventually door handle emblems.

B35-Sport Mirrors

Standard on all models except base firebirds, these mirrors were body-colored and featured a remote control on the left one only. I have never seen a firebird that didn't have this option.

B85-Windowsill and Hood Edge Molding

This bright molding wraps around from one door handle to the other. It really changes the appearance of a Firebird, and was standard on Esprit

B80-Drip Molding

I would have called these rain gutters. These were available every year from 1970 to 81. The design and material vary for different years and cars with vinyl tops. Even if you have plastic dip molding, it may be original.

This photo also shows a good side view of the B-85 Windowsill Decor Molding

B80-Drip Molding with T-tops

When T-tops came out, they weren't initially available with rain gutters. It took GM about two years to put rain gutters on them. The reason for this is probably that it's a stupid idea in the first place. There's a gap between the top and the A-pillar where all the rain runs out.

I'm not sure when these became available, but I have seen them on junk 79's.

B83-Rocker Panel Molding

Rocker Panel Moldings weren't available on Formula and Trans Am, so they're not seen much at car shows. They were standard equipment on the Esprit, though, as seen on this red Esprit (wearing the fenders from "Possum")

There was a different rocker panel molding, right off the Camaro, that was standard on Base Firebirds. It is on the lower Blue Firebird.

Wierd File Even though the rocker panel molding was standard on Esprit, it wasn't used on Esprit Skybirds, Redbirds, and Yellowbirds. It would have messed up the lower accent color.


B84-Body Side Moldings

These were pretty common on Trans Ams to protect their flanks from the hoghead in the next parking space.

The moldings on this car are made in three pieces: An extruded aluminum channel, a soft vinyl insert, and chrome plated end castings. They are riveted on. If your car came with these, and you want new ones, you can still get them from J.C. Whitney in 9 different colors.
Deluxe Aluminum and Vinyl Molding Kit
DELUXE ALUMINUM AND VINYL SIDE BODY MOLDING KIT

The link is below. Just stick item number ZX782978BF in this form and hit "go".


If this stops working at JC Whitney, the item number is ZX782978BF, or you can search for "Aluminum and Vinyl".

Sticky-back moldings are sometimes present. I used to think the sticky ones were dealer-installed, but now I am not sure now which style was actually used on the assembly line. It may have been some of both.

B93-Door Edge Guards

This was the most common door option (not counting sport mirrors, which were standard on everything but a base firebird). These are pre-formed, but unlike the 69 version, they don't have a screw holding them on. A metal aftermarket one will just about pass for the real thing.

Until recently these were still available from GM. They are now are showing "discontinued" in some catalogs, but I ordered some from Classic on July 25th, and they were in stock.

This picture also shows the body side molding with one of the ends removed., so you can see the aluminum and vinyl extrusions and how they fit together.

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