Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I am getting more rocker panel trim clips made, 447820. I have already prepared an order with my supplier and the only question is how many to buy. So, I am opening a 1-week pre-order period.

These are getting made per the factory drawing. The original clips were finished in black lacquer, but these are from 304 stainless spring wire. To aid installation, the wire diameter is reduced by 5%. These were used on the:
- 54 Patrician and the 55-56 senior cars (18 pcs)
- 54 Limos (24 pcs)
- 55-56 Clipper Customs, and other Clippers when equipped as an accessory (16 pcs)
- 55 Clipper Customs used an additional 10 pcs behind the rear wheel arch for the other piece of trim there.

I assume most will be buying for a V8 senior car, so 18 pieces. The going rate for 18 used ones would be $108. Logically, the price of new and rustproof ones would be higher; however, I am able to keep the price quite reasonable.
- Retail price: $99 for a set of 18
- Pre-order price: $79 for a set of 18

Please PM me for my address or my PayPal. If you need a quantity different than 18, just let me know.

The lead time is only 3 weeks after the close of the pre-order period.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

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For whatever reason, the original company that I was going to have make these changed their price to be almost four times the original estimate, so I had to find a different company. I'll be ordering these pretty soon. Pricing is unchanged.

Good timing as I was about to inquire about them. Are you also going to offer the seals that some applications need?

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These don't need seals in any application as far as I know, as they clip into the rocker panel, not the passenger or trunk compartment.

Here is a picture of the finished clips, they will be available to ship out soon.

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Clips are ready to ship. As a reminder, these are stainless steel, and the wire is slightly thinner than factory, so they are very easy to slide into place, and adjust as needed while trying to align the trim properly to the car.

I tested the removal force and it is slightly less than the original, which will help to install and remove the trim without damaging it. If this is not satisfactory, the strength may be increased by pulling the "legs" out slightly (see photo). Unlike the factory clips which were heat treated after bending, these clips were bent to shape using hard metal, meaning that you can bend them to your liking without risk of breakage.

Please note though, that one clip can easily hold on the entire rocker molding as shown in the photo. There are 9 clips used per side, so we would expect at least 10 g's or so to dislodge the rocker trim from the car, and at that point your hubcaps are probably flying off too, and some other subsystems of the car would likewise be pretty unhappy. So I have no reason to believe that the default strength would not be satisfactory in use.

Let me know if you would like to order some. $99 plus shipping for a set of 18, (senior car set) which is cheaper than the eBay "good used" price of $6 ea. Buy a set of new and sell off your old. Message me for pricing on Clipper models.

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Clipper has one clip less per side and as I recall, the trim is held on at the fender by retainers with studs and nuts so these spring clips basically just keep it in place. I could use both a senior set and a Clipper set.

I may reach out in the near future to get some of these