Side moulding

[Mocambo]

Hello, all --

I am a recent member, still learning about these great cars..

Mine is a 1973. The build sheet does NOT indicate that it had the original "protective body side moulding" from the factory. What it does have is a simple stainless strip that runs along the entire body, above the wheel openings, and below the downward curving sculptural line in the body. The pieces of the stainless moulding are straight, not curved. See attached photo.

I have seen a similar moulding on a few Centurions, including the one owned by member Rob Roy (Per), who sometimes posts on here.

I know my car was re-painted once, about 10 years ago; at that time it seems that all the original trim pieces (except the "door guards") were re-installed. I'm thinking that they may have added the side moulding at that time.

Has anyone out there seen a similar moulding, or have any idea where it might have come from?

Thanks,

Tom

[Smartin]

That is an aftermarket or dealer installed molding.

[Robroy]

Hi Tom & welcome to the BC forum,

I have enclosed some picts of my 73 to compare with.

From what I’ve been told, these are dealership installed mouldings too (Wallace, Portland OR).

Your 73 looks stunning, hope to see some more picts of it! Is it repainted in an original colour?

[Centurion]

I agree with Adam and Per. This is an aftermarket, non-Buick molding. As Per has noted, this was common addition by the Wallace Buick Co. of Portland, Oregon, but I have also noticed that this was a popular item among cars originally delivered in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I suspect that certain dealers promoted these moldings, because the profit margin was higher for them than if they simply ordered the cars with the factory-supplied protective body side moldings.

That's a beautiful Centurion convertible, Tom, and I join other Centurion owners in welcoming you here!

[Robroy]

Thanks for the input Brian, more or less what we had thought, interesting about the dealerships making more money on their own BSM than GM's

I’m missing some of the plastic end pieces on my BSM which are most likely impossible to get, but it stroke me the other day that maybe they could be reproduced in a 3D printer, we have such equipment at work and I even know a colleague that owns one.

Sure would be great if that would be a way out, rest of the BSM is in metal in my case btw

[Mocambo]

Thanks for the helpful information -- you guys are really a source of good stuff!!