1978 Z28 - Why no chrome trim?

[CDesperado]

I've been digging through images looking at Z28s and something dawned on me... almost none of them have the chrome trim running under the doors between the two wheel wells.

I've seen a handful that actually have this trim, but the overwhelming majority do not. I thought maybe the fender extensions might be the reason for this, but I have seen a few cars with the chrome trim, so that isnt the problem.

Was the trim just an option most people didnt select bc it interefered with the Z28 horizontal stripes most Z28s have that start at the front bumper and run through the front wheel wells? Or was the chrom trim not an even option since most folks wanted the "blacked out" like with the headlight bezels?

Just curious...

[Blu-By-U 79Z]

78 Z28s stripes follow the edge of the car around the wheel wells. 79-81 z28s have the big stripes down the sides. Im pretty sure its a non Z28 option.

[3504SPD]

Yeah they didn't put the chrome trim under the doors on the 78 Z's. They wanted to stay with the blacked out look. The handfull you saw were probably put on later by the owner.

[77 rs]

On the '77's, that stainless piece of trim came only on the LT's. I do not remember if it was on the '77 RS LT's but I'm sure it was also since the '77 RS LT's had the brushed panel on the back of the car. Always liked that brushed panel.

[79Zee28]

I do not think it was an option on the Z28. Also, the trend back then was to eliminate chrome accents in favor of black out trim like the euro makers did.

[speed_m5]

My 78 has the chrome under the doors but is a LT model

[studsZ28]

From what I've seen, the chrome/stainless trim was on the base, LT, or Berlinetta models.

[CorkyE]

Was not factory on 78 Z28's...

[brooksman9]

Originally Posted by 77 rs

On the '77's, that stainless piece of trim came only on the LT's. I do not remember if it was on the '77 RS LT's but I'm sure it was also since the '77 RS LT's had the brushed panel on the back of the car. Always liked that brushed panel.

Was on my 77, not an LT

[Millz90]

Is this piece factory on a 79 Z

[3504SPD]

The 79 Z's didn't come with that chrome trim between the wheels from the factory.

[CDesperado]

So let me throw this out there....

I'm toying with the idea of retaining the chrome trim while adding the elements of a Z/28 package. My car will be painted either black or a very dark blue, so I think the chromed trim will be a good accent to give it a little "pop" - does anyone else have experience doing this?

I've seen some pics of cars that had it and they looked pretty good.

[COPO]

Here's a pic of my 78 Z28 I ordered brand new.

[CDesperado]

Nice pics! Here is a shot of a 1980 Z28. I dont know if this is factory or not, but it's got the trim across the windows, but not the lower rail. To me, this would actually look better with that bottom piece of trim... but maybe it is just me.

[azkeebler]

Wow Mark ! That is sweet!! I'm jealous!!

I believe, by '78 it was LT, RS and then the Berlinettas where the trim was optional. So many i parted out, can't remember what all had them anymore.