60 CDV Fender Trim Installation Question

[Michael Petti]

I will be putting new eyebrow molding on this car. I have been told I must remove the headlights. What kind of job is that. Do I have to remove the headlights and the housing that attaches to the front fender or just the headlights and buckets? If I do have to remove the housing from the fender what is the best way to do that? Has anyone installed this trim with push clips eliminating the need for the removal of the housing?

[Michael Petti]

I know this is old, but I got no replies. Have looked at all the websites that were suggested in an earlier post, NAPA and Summit Racing. I have tried to make something out of teardrop clips and christmas tree clips to no avail. I can't be the only one putting this trim on. What have any of you used, or how have you dealt with it? McVey's no longer supplies the original clips. Thanks.

[Moody]

I've yet you reinstall mine, but push clips in that location would be questionable, because of the fender shape in the front. I have some original clips, but intend to make some nylon or similar material that won't promote rust. Getting inside the fender to install the moldings is no more difficult than pulling the lights, IMO.

[Michael Petti]

Thanks for the reply. I never thought of nylon. I'll go to Ace hardware and see what i can come up with. If it helps, I was able to cut the heads down on some large christmas tree clips that I think will work in the center position. The two end positions definitely need to be screwed down or otherwise secured.

[Moody]

Let us know how you get along.

[Michael Petti]

To complete this thread, I got the moldings on. They are reproductions so they don't fit perfectly, but close enough for my driver. They really add a finished look to the car. I got lucky and got enough of the original clips from McVey's. (they are now unobtainium) No universal clips would work because they all pointed the threaded shaft right up against the underside of the hood so the nut would not attach. R&Ring the headlights was pretty straight forward. The research I did last winter paid off as I knew where all the studs and connection points were.
One piece of advice is to unplug the wire from the loom (there is a plug)
for the fender directional light indicator. With hands and a wrench in there it is easy to pull the wire out of the light socket causing another repair. Don't ask me how I know that. All in all a good job.