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Over the past four years of restoration, I have seen side mount chrome wheel well trim rings. A few Pierce some Duesenburgs and Cadillacs. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any.
Does anyone know where you can buy these or know the person that makes them?
thanks, Rick
They are not correct for your car, but most people use a moulding sold by plumbing supply houses…….not sure what the application is, but it is available. I think Max Merit has it on his Packard web site also.
I want the actual metal trim, not the chrome plastic.
Richard, in the old days it was metal…….I didn’t realize they had switched to plastic. Finding straight style trim strips isn’t too hard, finding something you can bend to the radius you need will be difficult. Possibly a casting, but that wouldn’t be easy to accomplish. I have never seen an original set for sale in forty years……..and I don’t remember anyone making them or installing them in the last twenty. Best of luck, Ed
Rick,
Restoration Supply http://www.restorationstuff.com used to sell 1/2 and 1/4 round metal. They list it on their page, but I couldn’t get the catalogue to load.
I bought some stainless steel years ago as side trim on a Morgan DHC. You can cut it, BEND it, drill it, tap it, weld it and polish it to look like chrome.
I think I used 1/4 round 1/2″. Brass would work too, just have to plate it. Another trip to one of the people who you share your wealth with.
Bill
Rick,
Restoration Supply http://www.restorationstuff.com used to sell 1/2 and 1/4 round metal. They list it on their page, but I couldn’t get the catalogue to load.
I bought some stainless steel years ago as side trim on a Morgan DHC. You can cut it, BEND it, drill it, tap it, weld it and polish it to look like chrome.
I think I used 1/4 round 1/2″. Brass would work too, just have to plate it. Another trip to one of the people who you share your wealth with.
Bill
Here is a youtube video of a 1930 that has the wheel well trim rings. I think they are very nice looking.
Here is an all original 32 Pierce with the trim rings. They must have been offered at some point.
I have searched the internet. I have found tons of Pierce’s with chrome wheel well trim. It must be offered by someone, somewhere.
Does anyone have the original parts catalog for 1932? I’m making the assumption that the original 1932, V12 coupes were original and are listed in the catalog.
They were offered as part of a ‘Salon’ trim package starting in late 1930 models.
So your ’29 really ‘should’ not have them.
Sometimes too much chrome starts to be ‘too much! ‘
Greg Long
As early as 1931 they were offered. The video of the v12 31 coupe has them. The 1931 youtube video has them as well.
Pierce arrow offered custom for all there years. So……………… people like Fatty Arbuckle said the hell with the standard and did what he wished. I’m of the same mindset.
My car looks beautiful to me, and that’s all I care about.
There were no 1931 V-12 cars. The 32 V-12 Coupe is a LeBaron Custom body for the 1932 New York Auto Show…..it is correct. The 1931 V-12 New York Auto Show Sport Pheaton was a factory body, and didn’t have the trim rings. It did have other extra chrome, but not around the side mounts, and as Greg said…….you can go overboard with to much bling on the car……….too much hurts the resale value of the car today, and its a very expensive proposition to both put it on and take it off.
The youtube video and photos indicated the v12 car as 31. My mistake.
Bling is in the eyes of the beholder. I would gladly put them on my car but don’t seem to be available.
Ed, are we talking about the same part? To put the trim on is just placing it to the well and screwing a few tabs to the inner sidemount well. (at least the one I saw)
Rick, if you can locate factory ones there may also be slots that are cut into the fender for locating tabs on the chrome strips in addition to the screw holes needed.
I’m not sure about these strips as I’ve never seen them on or off of a car but other chrome strips work that way.
Craig,
Thanks for the advice. I have found out since my last posting that even if I could find factory ones, they would be the wrong size because of the tires being a diff size in later years. Hence, the well/ring would be too.
I’m going to let this one go. I do not like them enough to have them custom made. I have one more large outlay for the upholstery, then my wallet can breathe again.
Richard: I have seen the chrome strip around the fender wells on a ’32 car, and yes they do look nice. My earlier comment was meant not to chritize, but to suggest that some form of ‘trial’ view of the added strips might be in order.
I’m thinking that buying some of the plastic strips, and carefully [don’t want to damage that nice paint job!! ] attach the the plastic chrome strips and step back and see if you like the effect.
Like I said, sometimes what seems like should look great, in reality does not look so wonderful.
Your car has LOTS of chrome, and eventually there will be a point where you will say to yourself: ‘well that is maybe more chrome than looks good’.. or maybe not..
But you could try out some of the plastic stuff and see if you like it. For me?? I’d wait until you get the car completely together, and live with it a month or two. You might then want ‘more’ or ‘less’ chrome..
Your car is looking very nice. Congratulations on your persevering at this task.
Greg Long
Gregory,
“Like I said, sometimes what seems like should look great, in reality, does not look so wonderful.”
THIS IS A STATEMENT THAT IS SO TRUE IN MANY AREAS OF LIFE. MMMM? MY FASHION CHOICES FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY NOW AND AGAIN. THANKS!!