The 'E' Type Forum

I have been driving my car without the Chrome Trim/Bead Moulding and rubber seal at the top of Doors. Now it is getting colder I should really fit them (They were not fitted when I brought the car)

Does anyone have any tips please. It looks like they are riveted in place as the old rivets are still there. I assume I need to remove the door card, mirror control and glass, but it would be good to have this confirmed. An on-line tutorial would be even better.

Tusind Tak.

4 hours.

Hello David,
The original, from the factory arrangement was via an "L" shaped slots cut in the flat section of the chrome trim that interfaces with the inside of the door frame. The short leg of the "L" was vertical, and was open at the bottom of the chrome trim, The longer leg of the "L" was horizontal which allowed for fore, aft movement of the trim for assembly or removal. Button clips, similar to those used to attach the Head Light chrome surround, were pop riveted to the inside of the door frame. Assembly of the upper door chrome trim was made by sliding the the short, vertical leg of the "L" slot over the button clip, until its centre is aligned with the long, horizontal leg of the "L" slot. At this point the chrome trim is pushed forward into its final position.

With the original arrangement, the upper chrome strip was the first part to be removed, and the last part replaced when removing, or replacing the door window, or frame, affording much more room and ease when removing or replacing the window and the window frame. The After Market brigade, in their wisdom, "cough", replaced the convenient "L" slots with 1/8" holes, whereby the chrome strip has to be pop riveted to the door frame. In which case, it is the last part removed and the first part replaced when removing and replacing the door window frame, making it a far more difficult operation.

New chrome, upper door trims and their correspond door window wiper rubber strip are a rubbish fit with each other, and in most cases, the rubber has to be glued into the chrome trim to help stop the rubber being pulled out of the chrome trim by the window being wound up or down.

Regards,
Bill

Thanks Bill.

I found a drawing of the chrome part, showing the inverted L shaped slots. So I drilled and filed them to suit. Luckily, the parts are manufactured from brass these days.

The rubber strip was a swine to get in, even after trimming and soaping it.

One side is in, however I may add a dab of silicon between the body and the part to ensure it never comes away again. I have no idea why it was not fitted during the restoration.