Chrome trim around the front end, 72-74 challengers

[HP2]

 Since these all have molded fiberglass and painted trim around the headlight buckets, has anyone figured a way to change it out to the earlier style, chrome trim or does it simply bolt over it? The hood should be easy enough to swap out since it is a screw on piece.

I'd like to change my 74 to have the bright work instead of the body colored trim.

[Bullitt-]

The standard trim on 70-71 Challeys is part of the headlight bezel therefore a complete exchange can be made along with the early grille, very expensive. Also the thick molding of the "Special" models can be fitted w/o changing the grille, a couple of members here have that, but again very expensive. There might be some kind of thin overlay that could be adapted, I've toyed with using aluminum tape but it is very soft.
   Kind of surprised that you of all people would be looking to add bright work... I swing back & forth even thinking of blacking out my windshield & roof trim but probably won't.

[Super Blue 72]

I've toyed with using aluminum tape but it is very soft.
 

I have thought about the same thing.  I got the idea when a guy came to clean out the heating ducts in our house and he use a very shiny aluminum tape.  I got a roll from Home Depot and was going to try this.  I think it is about 3 inches wide.

The tricky part is the contours of the trim around the headlights because when it curves it will wrinkle the tape.  I was thinking of adhering the tape to the outside part of the trim around the headlights (The most visible part of it) then folding the tape into the headlight area where you can make a slit or 2 into the tape to make up for the contours of the trim.  The hood piece is easier.  Then once the trim is on you have to decide if you want to black out the header or leave it body color but for your car it wouldn't matter since you car is black.

If it doesn't work I guess you can always take it off.  I haven't had time to try it and when I did have time it was too cold out. 

Please post some pics if you try it! 

[73Chally]

I have thought about the same thing.  I got the idea when a guy came to clean out the heating ducts in our house and he use a very shiny aluminum tape.  I got a roll from Home Depot and was going to try this.  I think it is about 3 inches wide.

The tricky part is the contours of the trim around the headlights because when it curves it will wrinkle the tape.  I was thinking of adhering the tape to the outside part of the trim around the headlights (The most visible part of it) then folding the tape into the headlight area where you can make a slit or 2 into the tape to make up for the contours of the trim.  The hood piece is easier.  Then once the trim is on you have to decide if you want to black out the header or leave it body color but for your car it wouldn't matter since you car is black.

If it doesn't work I guess you can always take it off.  I haven't had time to try it and when I did have time it was too cold out. 

Please post some pics if you try it! 

If that's the tape I'm thinking of, it has a real strong adhesive, and can mess up your paint, so be very careful if you do this.

[HP2]

Yeah, typically I tend to stay away front shiny embelishments, but I do like the way the rear panel is set off by the polished trim and thought that would look equally good up front, particularly on darker colored cars where it is such a contrast.

I don't think that aluminized tape can follow contours well enough to look good. I' m not interested in the wide moldings either. I may have to pick up a set of standard trim and see what I can figure out.

[Super Blue 72]

If that's the tape I'm thinking of, it has a real strong adhesive, and can mess up your paint, so be very careful if you do this.

  Good advice! 

I was wondering if the trim can be cut off the headlight buckets from a '70-'71 then lightly pushed onto the '72 front trim to cover it?  Same dimensions? 

[MJS73]

Also the thick molding of the "Special" models can be fitted w/o changing the grille, a couple of members here have that, but again very expensive.

Here's someone who figured out how to do it...



Mike

[Super Blue 72]

Here's someone who figured out how to do it...

Mike

Hmmmm....looks interesting, but somehow not as good as I would hope that it would look.  The wide trim looks overepowering on this particular car.  Although one of the other members has done it with the wide trim and it does look very good.  I wonder what if the header was painted black maybe.....