'68 "Spring Special" Inner Plastic Grill detail Tips/results, (cont. from 7/18/18)

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MrJLR said:
I like a stock look....I went from 14s to 15s....

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Jeff
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Beautiful car. Do those gill spears have a plastic or anything that runs under it? Also, was the part under the spear painted in an argent silver when they came from the factory? Or did it just show the bottom part in its car color the way yours does?
 
SGlez10 said:
Beautiful car. Do those gill spears have a plastic or anything that runs under it? Also, was the part under the spear painted in an argent silver when they came from the factory? Or did it just show the bottom part in its car color the way yours does?
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They are painted argent silver under the spear from factory

The spear is held on my plastic clips that the spear snaps over.

The front wheel molding is shorter to stop at the spear tip.
 
autoxcuda said:
They are painted argent silver under the spear from factory

The spear is held on my plastic clips that the spear snaps over.

The front wheel molding is shorter to stop at the spear tip.
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I see. So would I have to modify the chrome wheel moldings in the front and rear tire wells to install these on my 68?
 
autoxcuda said:
They are painted argent silver under the spear from factory

The spear is held on my plastic clips that the spear snaps over.

The front wheel molding is shorter to stop at the spear tip.
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Is this how it’s supposed to look?

E5BCC1FF-0FDF-470D-B317-0787D9393715.jpeg
 
SGlez10 said:
I see. So would I have to modify the chrome wheel moldings in the front and rear tire wells to install these on my 68?
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No.

There’s debate on whether all cars with this option got shorter front molding.

It seems there are two lengths of spears. Shorter ones for cars with std front wheel lip moldings that go all the way to bottom. And longer ones to go all the way to lip and meet the shorter special wheel lip moldings.

I believe there really isn’t much of an interference. So all parts will physically interchange. Some will look better than others.

The rear pot metal chrome molding goes right over the wheel lip molding. So one size fit all rear wheel lip moldings.
 
autoxcuda said:
No.

There’s debate on whether all cars with this option got shorter front molding.

It seems there are two lengths of spears. Shorter ones for cars with std front wheel lip moldings that go all the way to bottom. And longer ones to go all the way to lip and meet the shorter special wheel lip moldings.

I believe there really isn’t much of an interference. So all parts will physically interchange. Some will look better than others.

The rear pot metal chrome molding goes right over the wheel lip molding. So one size fit all rear wheel lip moldings.
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I see. Well I’ll make sure to ask the guy I’m buying from what the measurements are. Do you have some on your car? If so, I’d love to see pictures so I get an idea of what they look like up close.
 
Look closely at the fender lip molding and the argent is through the center of molding

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My car

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Detail of Barracuda spear vs Dart rocker molding.

Dart molding is shiny and on top

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This is a very cool option in 68
I have two sets of the chrome grills that need polishing that I will not be keeping.
These are the front grills
 
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There are 3 different spare lengths and part numbers
1 long spares with no gills
2 shorter spare that the front wheel opening molding goes all the way down with the gills
3 a little longer spare that the front wheel opening molding in cut short with the gills
not sure why or there was a design changer through the model year for 2 and 3
 
It takes 4 basic pieces to compete. A spear (long thin) molding and a pot metal chromed rear “gill” section.

On the rears, people tend to drill random holes to keep it attached. The are 2 or 3 holes originally in the black portion of the slats (gills). If someone drills a hole in the chrome the piece is sorta trashed.

Also there is a protrusion on the front of the pot metal that the spear fits over to help hold it down.

And the rears get deep pitted easily since they are down so low in water/snow/salt area. Deep pits (about any pits) are hard and costly to re-chrome plate. Just regular pot metal plating is expensive nowadays.

Also, you’ll find Spears that are butchered by someone drilling holes in them to use screws to hold them on. They are supposed to have clips behind them to hold them on. And the clips are very hard to find.
 
davescuda said:
There are 3 different spare lengths and part numbers
1 long spares with no gills
2 shorter spare that the front wheel opening molding goes all the way down with the gills
3 a little longer spare that the front wheel opening molding in cut short with the gills
not sure why or there was a design changer through the model year for 2 and 3
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Does the spear-only have the same exact cross section and clips as the others?

Without the gills, I’d think it would be another option/style. Just plain rocker moldings. ??
 
One of the ways you can get spear and gill rocker mouldings.

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Another way

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The e body trunk molding clips work for the spares, they clip in correct just a little longer

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autoxcuda said:
Does the spear-only have the same exact cross section and clips as the others?

Without the gills, I’d think it would be another option/style. Just plain rocker moldings. ??
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Yes same size just longer you can cut them down. I have done it.
 
I still have the small pieces I cut down. I carry one with me at the swap meets shows
Body color under the molding.
 
Yes just pain rocker molding option. They do go in the same place on the rocker.
 
autoxcuda said:
Are there long black plastic strips under the cast gills too? Like anti rattle or to spread the holding load out. There’s some slots under the molding for them to fit on. I had some with the moldings... they look factory, but I can’t prove it.
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Yes there is black strips from the factory. Nothing fancy. I have to relook at one I have here somewhere.
 
T
Gib Warnick said:
I think formula S cars had chrome grill fins. Can anyone verify?
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No.

Only cars with Sport Special option.

You could get that option on a Formula S or not.

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Custom Sill Mouldings are the name for the Spear and Gill rocket molding. Included with the Sport Special option on Coupes only.

*I’d think you could add the custom sill moulding to a Convertible or Fastback that already had Sport Special option.
 
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SGlez10 said:
These are for the gills? I’m going to buy the gills and spears. Do you have enough hardware for both sides? Gills and spears? If so, I’d be interested in buying.
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I just have the hardware for the gills not the spares but I posted what you can use for the spares
 
autoxcuda said:
T

No.

Only cars with Sport Special option.

You could get that option on a Formula S or not.

View attachment 1715621743

Custom Sill Mouldings are the name for the Spear and Gill rocket molding. Included with the Sport Special option on Coupes only.

*I’d think you could add the custom sill moulding to a Convertible or Fastback that already had Sport Special option.
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Do you have a picture of the special sill moldings?
 
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