B85 Exterior molding

[Maxthe222]

So this one is a bit confusing,

On the 1977+ T/A's, there was a $26 option for "B85 Moldings, Window Sill". So apparently, this also includes the hood edge plastic chrome strip and had two metal trims on the tips of the fenders.

I'm looking to get these reproduction parts, but the price difference between the ones apparently for a Camaro and the ones for a Firebird are outrageous. Examples being:
https://www.camarocentral.com/1970_1981_Camaro_Back_Rear_Hood_Edge_Chrome_Trim_p/bcm-53.htm?fbclid=IwAR3UwDlsMUvi5KpU7VWeBp_964-8gzuBuc5Mt1RMibQX65rM6OUKGrNkNP4

And:
https://fbodywarehouse.com/store/1977-1981-trans-am-firebird-deluxe-chrome-hood-wrap-gm.html?fbclid=IwAR2tCAUfZNF2s5hMUqOFmO8R5_8SRszAV62AWwkXriVLZj1Yii7vkwziOwo

The "Firebird" one is double the price. Are they not the same piece? Is the edge of the 1977-81 Camaro hoods not the same as the 1977-81 Firebird hoods? I couldn't find a part number for the Firebird ones, only the Camaro ones. You'd expect them to be the same part right? The roof drip moldings are the same.

[Wallington]

No, Firebird and Camaro hoods are not the same width, look at the fender corner tips.

Also, the Firebird version appears to be the nasty mylar coated that yellows and peels. Not new or even usable, or be even more expensive. I was quoted 450+ to plastic-chrome one of these. I subsequently imported a few more stainless instead.

[Maxthe222]

No, Firebird and Camaro hoods are not the same width, look at the fender corner tips.

Jeez that sucks, so you have to pay almost double for such a minute change? Oh well, that's the Pontiac Price you pay.

[Wallington]

Do you need one, or just seeking better than what have?

[Maxthe222]

Do you need one, or just seeking better than what have?

Mine is completely absent. I have the chrome strips for the windows, the drip molding over the roof, but absolutely nothing on the tips of the fenders or hood edge. Previous owner likely threw it out with all the other original parts for the car 6 months before I bought it

[Wallington]

Used only for Firebirds. I have a few spares of the fender tips, only a couple of the hood. Hard to find intact, then someone who will ship or not destroy from lack of packing effort. Had 2 destroyed that way, somewhat fixed. And one or two of the yellow plastic strips with coating gone.

[Maxthe222]

Used only for Firebirds. I have a few spares of the fender tips, only a couple of the hood. Hard to find intact, then someone who will ship or not destroy from lack of packing effort. Had 2 destroyed that way, somewhat fixed. And one or two of the yellow plastic strips with coating gone.

You might have spoken to Kent down in Vic, he's getting stuff in and at relatively competitive prices, he reckons he can get the centre part new, so we'll see how that goes. He normally packages stuff really well, and I was just going to find the tips used, clean them up and refurbish those, since they're metal, they'd probably be ok. If his falls through, good to know there might be another option not too far off.

[Wallington]

Yep, I know Kent.

I'd be wary of any new hood edge he thinks he can get. I have not seen one, so likely the common Camaro.

The plastic versions were often missing as went brittle, cracked, split, generally looked bad and fell off/removed. By that point there was little to help them. There was a NOS one in GM pack on ebay a while ago, looked terrible. Similar for drip rails in same vs the stainless.

[Maxthe222]

Yep, I know Kent.
I'd be wary of any new hood edge he thinks he can get. I have not seen one, so likely the common Camaro.

He made me check to see specifically if they were different, so he's doing his homework. I've found this from Yearone too, they normally don't make mistakes like that. Very weird they are making this reproduction part but have clearly specified:

"The hood molding is shorter than the original by approximately 1/2"."

Why not just make it the correct length??

https://www.yearone.com/Product/1967-1968-1969-1970-1971-1972-1973-1974-1975-1976-1977-1978-1979-1980-1981-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-parts/cd232?fbclid=IwAR262DuyT8l6VtrI7sNPfmkNnsCAEuw2wjRLu7IMCkZfnWn-5Jw60zK7VuM

[Wallington]

I don't know of that set. No mention what it's made of. Wonder if the hood strip is from another model that's close and substituted, you wouldn't expect it's an acceptable answer, it was already shorter than the hood, then u have the fender gaps too.

[Wallington]

An arty photo of 3 stainless and 1 plastic/mylar-coated hood strips to show width differences.

While the plastic hood trim seems to have started to appear from 77-onwards, it was still not a complete replacement, perhaps filled in due to low stocks or certain factory perhaps. 40 years on, unrestored cars that still have one attached are usually the stainless, simply because it has lasted in the elements.

Firebird hood trim all polished (1) by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

#549100 is the plastic hood trim, it extends twice as far on the underside of hood so can be identified in any condition, on hood or removed.

GM NOS 549100 Chromed plastic rear hood decor strip 3 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

The stainless hood trim, #479085, is basically folded in half.
Here's what a mint one looks like when it is sent in a folded sheet of cardboard across the world, bashed tip. And yes, it was bent like spaghetti further up and was the most expensive one I've paid for. It wasn't fit to travel across the street. Ebay didn't look after international customers back then, the time for issues always ran out before the item even arrived. And sellers knew it.

Hood trim damage1 bent and end by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

This a Camaro fender decor tip. Short and stumpy, but easily spotted from the rear different retainer. This is an example of the Camaro having wider hood and narrower fender tops. They also tend to have a more refined angle down the centre due to not being curved.
Camaro fender decor trim NOS 2 3986059 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr
Camaro fender decor trim NOS 3986059 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

This is the Firebird version. Longer and with more of an obvious curve. And angry teeth on the back that make polishing fun. Probably due to traffic accidents, it's harder to find one side than the other. Same with all the spares I have, heaps for one side, barely any for the other, and the side guys are often chasing.
Firebird fender decor trim set polished 2 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr
Firebird fender decor trim set polished 4 by Aus78Formula, on Flickr

[Maxthe222]

Interesting, well I know what to look for for the fender tips.

Yearone lists the part number "R677" which also when searched, comes up the same as the Camaro one, further highlighting confusion. I'm now looking for part # 549100 to see if anything else comes up