Trim Clips...

Finding the original type trim clips that were used on our cars can be a daunting task sometimes, but with the Internet, it should be a lot easier. First off, you have to use the right terminology, which in this case means calling them "fasteners" or "moulding hardware". Fasteners come in a wide range of materials from plastic to metal, and many times the look identical when viewing them on a catalog page. For this reason, you will need to know the dimensions of the fastener that you need. Some of these measurements are in fractional inch, thousands of an inch, and also metric measurements.

Here are two on-line catalogs that I use, but neither of these companies sell to the public. You will need to find an auto parts store that will be willing to order the item that you need from them. Most fasteners are sold in boxes of either 25, 50, or 100 pieces, so it is best to know how many you are going to need in advance, and order them all at once. Many of these fastener manufacturers have minimum order amounts, so don't expect to order them on Monday and have them by Friday. It might be a few weeks before the store has enough of an order to place. I have also experienced where there is a incoming freight charge added onto the cost of the fastener.
Both of these links below will require a high speed connection, since the catalogs are large downloads.
W & E Sales Company

Auveco

For smaller purchase, here is one place that resells some clips made by Auveco in smaller quantity packages. You can also find moulding clips on ebay many times. Just make sure that you know what you are buying.

The Clip House

The moulding fastener below is a #10 diameter by 24 threads per inch, by 3/4" long. It measures 1/2" across by 1" long. This is described in the catalog as...........

T Bolt Fastener or Molding Fastener, 10-24 x 3/4" bolt, plate length 1", plate length 1/2".

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This particular fastener had a retaining wire welded to it, however, it has rusted off.

Paul;

Back when I was still beating and spraying THE source for clips usually was the local auto glass shop.

I totally agree with our now prevalent internet world it's opened up more resources. I'd definetly try locally with an older "been around awhile" place before the internet.

I know I'm kinda old fashioned.

At one time, auto parts stores, body shop supply store, auto glass stores had a good selection. Today, most of these type shops are gone, and those that remain, don't stock much for the older cars.
Here is another type of clip. It is a nylon clip that uses a push pin to hold it into the hole in the fender. I lucked out in finding these at Carlisle, and I have never found another source for them. I bought all that he had at the time. The brown one on the left is the original, and the white ones are the replacement. Both sides of the fastener shown. There are literally tens of thousands of automotive fasteners & clips. Finding what you need is like looking for a needle in the haystack. Each brand of car, and every year brings new fasteners. The type of fastener that holds the belt molding on a 1969 Cadillac is different that the fasteners that hold the belt molding on the 1978 Cadillac. The belt molding is exactly the same, except for the lengths.

Curtis industries is one other good source but thanks for the auveco link. been looking for one of them the parts store here sells them but doest have a book. were there are tones of this stuff out there it is surprising what will inter change. each of the companies used there source for the clips and fasteners because they were hooked up that way. why they drilled the big holes in the panels to put the belt line molding one when gm use a stud and snap on plastic clip for the same molding I'll never know. something about it was cheaper. but you are vary right in that you have to know what they called it to get it. a lot of different names out there.

wrong pictures meant to put on this one. both the clips in the bag and the clip on the molding fit the same molding in every way. they just go on to the body in a different manner. I'll start a new thread on the work done today rather the hijack this one.

Trim Clips

Here is a thought for finding trim clips.

With the closing of many Chrysler and GM dealerships, there is bound to be some shuttering of the parts and body deparments in these places even if they opt to sell only used cars. Watch for tag sales, auctions or even signs posted at the dealerships. Might also be the time to find that evasive manual or special tool you would like to have for your shop.

Another thing to remember is some of these places have been around for years and years and from what I can tell there is no 'buyback' from either manufacturer of the stock on hand. The other thought is many of the clips, nut, bolts or fasteners often came 3 or 6 dozen to the box as with Curtis and Bowman Industries and most likely only 3 or 4 were needed for the job.

Good Luck, Happy Shopping!

ford and GM would ship the fasteners with there moldings. Chy would only ship the molding. I worked for a chy dealer for about 10 years in the body shop. we used the aftermarket people for all our clips. there was a outfit called pick-a-nut that had boxes of stuff all the same size box fit into a holder. they were all the same price and just adjusted the amount of things in the box to fit the price. when I was independent there was traveling salesman that would visit from Curtis and they would sell you a assortment box in a neat metal case. that way you could have two sizes. to big and to small instead of just the one doesn't fit. I'm still dipping into the two I have left today. from 1972. used some on Roberts car. but these people we are talking about they competed with each other for the factory businesses they are shutting down. some of them go under and there type of fasteners are out the window. but the big picture is you need to put the moldings on the car and keep them on. so what ever works. there is a lot of diference between the exact fastiner and one that will work when your looking at at a week to get it and needing rent money tomorrow. with that being the only thnig holding up payment on the job.

I could find most of the clips for my 73 MM hearse at a local Car Quest. They where not expensive. The only clips I couldn't find where for the molding over the tail lights. The only place I found the were Restoration Specialties & Supply,Inc. www.restorationspecialties.com They were not cheap, but I couldn't find them anywhere else. I saw the company at the Auto Fair and I had an original clip with me.

Josh Horton said:

I could find most of the clips for my 73 MM hearse at a local Car Quest. They where not expensive. The only clips I couldn't find where for the molding over the tail lights. The only place I found the were Restoration Specialties & Supply,Inc. www.restorationspecialties.com They were not cheap, but I couldn't find them anywhere else. I saw the company at the Auto Fair and I had an original clip with me.

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if memory serves me correct they get about a buck each for the clips. they do have a source for the ones used buy the aftermarket people. the ones your are talking about are not GM. they were only used by the hearse ambulances co for that molding. but if memory serves me right the ones your talking about are steel. not plastic. at least they were on the 71 superior I took apart.
so in looking for stuff from the doors back look in the universal section to find one that will work.

Paul it's page 153 of restorations specialist catalogue for the side molding clips for the MM.
#4294j listed as 63-65 chrysler revile molding clips. 125 cents each. now to cross reference it with a Au-ve-co book. you will need a chy part number. but I don't have a factory parts book for 63 chy.

I just picked up a box of trim clips for my '67 Cadillac from CarQuest Auto Parts. 12 clips for $4.88

but who made them. carquest has a good book with a lot of stuff in it. were they labled car quest or did they have a different lable on them. what number did you get and what piece of trim are you using it on? I'm looking for sorce for the side trim other them the GM clip I haven't been able to find any in bulk.

The box says "Au-ve-co", auto-vehicle parts Co. and the information says "Moulding Fasteners", GM #12971 (3944866). They match up perfectly to the clips I need for my 1967 Cadillac Superior side trim fastners.

Jim Staruk said:

The box says "Au-ve-co", auto-vehicle parts Co. and the information says "Moulding Fasteners", GM #12971 (3944866). They match up perfectly to the clips I need for my 1967 Cadillac Superior side trim fastners.

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9965​

(GM: 1244839,
3944866)
Moulding Fastener
UNIT PACK AGE: 25​

12971​

Same as 9965 Except Packing​

UNIT PACKAGE: 10

front fender moldling clip. universal type. got a couple boxes of them. they will work. they make that one as wide as 6 in and as small as about 1/2. it was the standard now what do we do in the shop. if all else failed, drill out the hole and use one of them. the only trouble with the smaller spears is the hole you need to drill in is almost as big as the molding is wide. then after they snap in, the molding will move down on you exposing the holes. but I have used a number of them to get me out of a spot. you usually brake then off removing the trim but they are cheap enough to replace. the other problem is that they would push down on the molding and then not open up when you pushed them in. GM's had a rubber bumper glued to the back side to keep them in place. but as you know they will work good. still looking for a source for the plastic ones.