Rocker panel cover question

[70spider]

I have been seeing alot of spiders on this web site and others that do not have the aluminum rocker panel covers like this:

I was wondering was it an option? Because even in the circa 1970 Spider ad I bought (yes I know that is last nail that indicates you think about the car to much )the car doesn't have aluminum rocker panel covers, but instead the rocker panels are the same color as the car. I like the look of them without the covers. So can I just simply remove the covers? I am a little apprehensive to do this at the moment, the rust monster may be hiding in there.
Here is a pic of my ugly duckling (but its mine )

[2500diesel]

Why do you want to remove them?
IMO, your spider looks great, why open what may be a can of worms?

[70spider]

Thanks for the complement, one can get an inferiority complex seeing all the awesome looking spiders on this site . To be honest I think the ones without it have a cleaner more classic look, I guess it all comes down to a matter of taste.

[azruss]

My guess is the OEM steel panels were removed and replaced with the ones you have. If they are still under there, they may have serious rust. In any case, theses are one of the few bolt on body panels, so it shouldnt be a big effort to find a set and paint to match.

[vandor]

Those aluminum covers were a dealer option. From what I've seen maybe 5% of Spiders have them.
You can remove them - it's better to find and fix the rust now than to let it eat away at your car...