Rocker Panel Covers, Original?

[RRoller123]

Does anyone know if these rocker panel covers on my 1980 FI Spider 2000 are original from the factory, added by dealers, or a third party/PO add-on? They are aluminum, riveted on, with black paint in the channel bottoms. Just curious. Here is a pic. They are mounted on a rubber base and have protected the lower regions very well these past 32 years! Thanks for any info you may provide. Pete.

[imghttp://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb439/RRoller123/DOORS%20AND%20ROCKER%20PANEL%20COVERS/RIGHTROCKERPANELCOVER3small.jpg][/img]

[grittracing]

I have heard they where a dealer add on. But the source wasn't that good

[124JOE]

i think there aftermarket

[kmead]

They were a dealer add on. These used to be very available items. I would keep them as a novelty but would tend to go OE myself, I prefer the rounded surfaces.

Karl

[RRoller123]

I am not wild about them either, so I think I am going to paint them and see how they look. I agree the rounded surface looks better. But I have to say that they sure did protect this car well!

[spiderrey]

Ive taken them off about three different parts cars and trashed them. I always thought they were a dealer add.

[DocGraphics]

Now I'm of the opposite opinion, I like the look, although I have only seen them in pics.

Hoping to come along set sometime in my travels.

[RRoller123]

It is very well installed, so I had been thinking it was a dealer add-on. There is a good solid rubber base that it is mounted on, and clearly the seal has been quite good to the side of the car because there is no corrosion whatsoever. I think it will look better painted, and will post some "after" pictures, but I can't paint until we get some warm weather, so it will be some time.

[bulldog4444]

I was told years ago that these were a dealer added item mostly in California. I think they add a little finishing touch to this car. Since my Spider is a 1978.5, it's wacked out anyway. It has the 78 hood, the 79 door handles, the 79 diff. (a total piece of crap!), a cat converter so finding headers was a pain, and a carb (no FI).

This year's update is a new set of leather Procar Rally seats in leather, I'm just waiting for the seat adaptors and will post pics when done. There is another thread on this but is not complete for those that want that upgrade. Last year's upgrade were those bitchen wheels from So Cal Mark!!!

Keep the trim!



Bulldog

[RRoller123]

I think the contrast of the brushed aluminum rocker panel covers on your black car looks pretty good!

[124JOE]

Since my Spider is a 1978.5, it's wacked out anyway. It has the 78 hood, the 79 door handles, the 79 diff. (a total piece of crap!), a cat converter so finding headers was a pain, and a carb (no FI).

Bulldog

get a 1800 intake and a 32/36 carb

[JoeFaz]

I was told years ago that these were a dealer added item mostly in California. I think they add a little finishing touch to this car. Since my Spider is a 1978.5, it's wacked out anyway. It has the 78 hood, the 79 door handles, the 79 diff. (a total piece of crap!), a cat converter so finding headers was a pain, and a carb (no FI).

This year's update is a new set of leather Procar Rally seats in leather, I'm just waiting for the seat adaptors and will post pics when done. There is another thread on this but is not complete for those that want that upgrade. Last year's upgrade were those bitchen wheels from So Cal Mark!!!

Keep the trim!



Bulldog

Mine were a California dealer add-on, too. They are still on my in-progress resto of my '78. In very good condition, just will need a bit of cleaning up once the car is painted. I'm looking at the ProCar seats as well. The "90" version with the headrests. They are about as close to the OEM I've found and from what I've determined, cheaper than recovering my old seats! I would REALLY like to see the seats in your car and hear your take on them, installation issues, etc. before I make the leap.