1970 to 1981 Firebird door top molding - different lengths ?!!?
 

With respect to the top of the door molding on 1970-1981 firebirds, I was unaware that there are 2 different lengths GM made.

The shorter one I can confirm being original on 1970-1973 cars (and maybe others) but was the longer length a later 70s thing or maybe a camaro thing?

I bought an xlnt used "1970-1981" original set from a member for replacing a passenger side molding that was dinged and didn't know until installing that the length was longer. Screw me.

What can anyone chime on this fact there are two lengths?

So is noone aware there are 2 different lengths molding out there?

Can noone explain why?

Never saw diff lengths. I bought 3 sets of GM. I have one stashed all were same.

Wasnt aware of different lengths for these. Are you referring to the rubber window sweeps or the chrome trim that installs on top of them for the cars with chrome trim option?

I bought a few sets of NOS GM window sweeps with the thin chrome (SS) bead for the non chrome trim decor option, they were all the same lengths & sold as 70-81. All the current repros are sold as 70-81 also. And a final point, I have owned/parted out almost 50 of these 2nd gen cars and never saw or noticed different length window sweeps on any of them, all were the same length/part.

Do you have part#'s that are different for these or any other info to suport 2 different lengths? And is it for the rubber sweeps or the chrome trim that goes on top?

I recently restored my 72 firebird and used 1 of the repro brands, not OER, they were the same length as the GM ones on my 78 & 81TA and so were the dry rotted originals I removed... the doors were the same dimensions on 70-74 cars as 75-81 cars so not sure why there would be different lengths but ya never know with the changes in vendors etc these cars had over the years.

The polished stainless molding you snap on the outside of the door.

There are 2 different OEM GM sizes as I found out. Now whether the longer one was 1977+ or perhaps for camaro I do not know.

The Camaro version is nearly Identical, but is slightly longer, maybe an inch longer. The aftermarket folks will market it as Firebird at times, but as you found out, it does not fit. I could not find any true Firebird reproductions the last time I looked.

IIRC the tops of the door skins have a different shape - it would stand to reason that the Camaro part would be a different lenght.

As much as I love multi-marque repop suppliers, they often market Camaro parts as being for Firebirds - this surely doesn't help matters.

I have a few sets removed off of various year cars. I haven't seen a difference between any of them, but I guess I haven't studied them very closely.

I was referring to original GM pieces - I know the early 2nd gen Firebirds have the short molding pieces -- some paint on the door can be seen at the edges on both ends when installed.

So was unsure when the longer OEM pieces were produced & used on 70-81 F body cars.

But now I figured it out to some degree.

From Aus78Formula on FirebirdNation:


"While the Firebird and Camaro share many door parts including glass and seal weather strips, the door shell is completely different. Not only does the Camaro have a heavy bodyline crease along the lower edge, where Firebird has a reversed curve, Camaro also has a body crease running back from the fenders at mirror height, creating a slight ledge, that disappears mid-door. This is also the reason for the different mirror mounts mentioned. But part of that difference is also the overall length of the door at that point, Camaro is longer as Firebird angles back more.

The result is 2 sets of top of door mould strips of different lengths for each model."



Firebird 70-81 used shorter version #9815564 / #9815565

Camaro 70-81 used the longer version #9828343 / #9828344



But one thing I have since noticed is some sellers of NOS firebird GM part number moldings list them as being for "1970-1975 Firebird"

hmmmm.....

AFAIK its camaro vs firebird. 70-81 firebirds should be the same length since the doors are the same... but then again they changed the length of the door handle for some reason but the door skins stayed the same.