# 'Fake' trim on cars **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 7, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819 "2005-05-07T15:17:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/41 "2005-05-08T02:22:17Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I’ll probably get a bra for the MG. After waiting two years (and counting), I’m not in any hurry to have the paint chipped! Maybe I’ll see if I can have one made in white so that it’s not as noticeable. Trouble is, it might yellow over time and stain from road tar. Also, when dirt gets under the bra, it’ll rub the finish. Perhaps an extra coat of clearcoat will reduce the wear and tear? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/42 "2005-05-08T02:24:13Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Trouble is, it might yellow over time and stain from road tar. Also, when dirt gets under the bra, it’ll rub the finish. Perhaps an extra coat of clearcoat will reduce the wear and tear? There’s also a clear vinyl covering you can apply to the front end. I recall seeing it on one of the car shows on Spike. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/43 "2005-05-08T02:34:41Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > It’s so ugly it’s cute. 🙂 > > I love the nylon strap holding the front air dam up. 😃 Talk about a snow plow. > > I don’t know what’s under the hood but it would be a bunch of seconds faster without all that extra weight in fiberglass trim. Wheels/tires look sticky though. If the engine’s stock, then it’s got a two cycle engine under the hood (probably pushing around 50 HP). A brief history of [Trabants](http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/ENGLISH-automotorusse9-I(Trabant).htm) can be found here. The cars are unique in that they can’t be disposed of! The bodies were made out of a plastic and paper material that contains large amounts of dioxin. So they just sit there, waiting for someone to figure out what to do with them. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/44 "2005-05-08T02:37:48Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > There’s also a clear vinyl covering you can apply to the front end. I recall seeing it on one of the car shows on Spike. I’ve seen those things, but I’d be leery of trusting them, if they’ve been promoted on Spike’s car shows. Every one the programs I’ve watched has been filled with glaring inaccuracies and just plain stupid methods of working on a car. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/45 "2005-05-08T02:39:33Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > I’ve seen those things, but I’d be leery of trusting them, if they’ve been promoted on Spike’s car shows. Every one the programs I’ve watched has been filled with glaring inaccuracies and just plain stupid methods of working on a car. Hmm, interesting. The product seemd to be no more than a thick vinyl decal. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/46 "2005-05-08T04:49:32Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Trouble is, it might yellow over time and stain from road tar. Also, when dirt gets under the bra, it’ll rub the finish. Perhaps an extra coat of clearcoat will reduce the wear and tear? A new bra would be cheaper than a new paint job. I don’t think clearcoat would do any good. As I said, it’s astonishing how much debris is flung around up here. L.A. didn’t have so much gravel on the roads! I really don’t like bras. They look funny. You have to take them off when you park so that you don’t find yourself with a two-tone paint job from the effects of sun and weather. They cover up pretty details. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/47 "2005-05-08T05:52:08Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > I’ve seen those things, but I’d be leery of trusting them, if they’ve been promoted on Spike’s car shows. Every one the programs I’ve watched has been filled with glaring inaccuracies and just plain stupid methods of working on a car. My car came with the 3M variant of the clear film applied over damage-prone areas and I can tell you from direct experience that it’s very effective. There are several film providers, some possibly better than others, and the quality of the installation can vary widely as the uncut material is difficult to handle but it really absorbs the abuse without any damage to the underlying paint. It’s minimally noticeable, particularly when the car is clean. Shredded sections can be easily replaced without redoing the whole car. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/48 "2005-05-08T12:22:52Z")
Remeber the fake exhaust pipe holes on the BUICK fenders? Are they still here? Absolutely ridiculous! Also, how about those status-hungry fools who would buy a new car, and drive it around for months, with the sales sticker pasted on the rear window-they thought their neighbors would be impressed! Of course, after a few months, the sticker would permanently bond to the glass-and no amount of windex would take it off. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/49 "2005-05-08T12:58:30Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Remeber the fake exhaust pipe holes on the BUICK fenders? Are they still here? Absolutely ridiculous! Also, how about those status-hungry fools who would buy a new car, and drive it around for months, with the sales sticker pasted on the rear window-they thought their neighbors would be impressed! Of course, after a few months, the sticker would permanently bond to the glass-and no amount of windex would take it off. Those were portholes and were never intended be fake exhaust pipes. The lower cost Buicks such as the Century came with 3 on each side, the upper level Skylark and Roadmasters came with 4. They were intended as a styling queue so folks could tell the difference between the various models Buick built. When it come to chrome excess, the 58 Buick is considered the pinnacle of excess. Almost 800 pounds of chrome plated metal. [Here](http://www.ev1.pair.com/buick/image/buick_158-re.jpg) is an example. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/50 "2005-05-08T13:25:35Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > When it come to chrome excess, the 58 Buick is considered the pinnacle of excess. Almost 800 pounds of chrome plated metal. [Here](http://www.ev1.pair.com/buick/image/buick_158-re.jpg) is an example. I’ll bet that grille was a major bitch to clean. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/51 "2005-05-08T18:56:43Z")
I’m sure we’ve all seen the fake-wire-wheel wheel covers. Not only are they obviously fake, they’re _cheap-looking_ obviously fake! (And I had _real_ wires at the time these things were popular.) Well, here’s something I’ve never seen before. There’s an ad in the June 1961 issue of _Road & Track_ for fake knock-off hubcaps. (Wire wheels were held on by basically a big nut in the centre. They used to have ‘wings’ that you’d hit with a mallet, but after 1968 they became big hex nuts.) > [@](#): > > **The True Look for your Sports Car** > with > _ **NOKOF** _® > **HUB CAPS** > > These simulated knock-offs are fabricated of durable Zemac, with machined hub cadmium plated and triple plated chrome spinner, machine threaded. The unit replaces your standard hub cap, bolting securely to the wheel with the existing lugs. > > The NOKOF is precision designed and lightweight (cannot affect the balance of the wheel). Spinner threads are Left and Right, as with authentic knock-offs. Aiyiyi. On the Mustang, people didn’t have a choice about the phony air scoops. Now here’s a product where people can try to make other people think they had knock-off hubs! I’m a little confused about the threads. Are they saying that you can knock the hubs off an on, even though doing so doesn’t accomplish anything (since the hubs are bolted on)? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/52 "2005-05-08T19:01:25Z")
I think you’re right. Something similar is made for the guys that build the Shelby Cobra kit cars. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/53 "2005-05-09T06:21:50Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > That’s pretty pretentious, **Tuckerfan**! > > I don’t like the looks of car bras, but they’re functional. The front end of the Cherokee is peppered with pockmarks caused by crap being kicked up by other cars. The PNW seems to be especially nasty when it comes to flying debris. It’s amazing, the number of cars with cracked windscreens. > > I’ll probably get a bra for the MG. After waiting two years (and counting), I’m not in any hurry to have the paint chipped! Maybe I’ll see if I can have one made in white so that it’s not as noticeable. Warning! Do not leave a bra on a car in the rain. If you get water under the bra it can strip the paint off the car. I have seen this happen. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![chaparralv8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@chaparralv8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaparralv8)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/54 "2005-05-09T12:23:50Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > But if you used a race car for driving on the highway, that would no longer be “100% function”. “Function” means the right tool for the job, and a race car is a definitely not the right tool for driving to work. > > A “100% function” production automobile for normal use (commuting, road trips, etc) would have a moderate sized engine with just enough power to merge safely with freeway traffic. Nope. A significant functional appeal of a 300ZX Turbo is the ability to make flashing lights disappear from your rearview mirror. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/55 "2005-05-09T18:30:33Z")
How about the skinny plastic “chrome” stick-on stripping that seems to be inordinately popular with assorted oriental and hispanic types? They just love to run that stuff along the edges of every door and wheelwell. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/56 "2005-05-09T18:47:00Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > How about the skinny plastic “chrome” stick-on stripping that seems to be inordinately popular with assorted oriental and hispanic types? They just love to run that stuff along the edges of every door and wheelwell. Tacky, but not ‘fake’. ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/57 "2005-05-09T19:39:16Z")
From the [land of the fake](http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/tf-Browse/s-10101/showCustom-0/refId-600002538/N-111+10201+600002538/c-10101), I give you hood scoops whose major selling point is that they include the sticky tape needed to install them. This place used to have fake rolls royce hoods, fake side headers, fake cop searchlights. (sniff) I miss the 70’s. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/58 "2005-05-10T00:35:51Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Those plastic wind deflector things that people mount on the leading edge of the sunroof and over the top edge of the door windows. Do they really cut down noise? I don’t see a single car manufacturer offering them as an option. A quick check shows that Honda, Toyota, and Mazda at least all offer the plastic wind deflectors for the doors and moonroof. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/59 "2005-05-10T00:42:44Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > A quick check shows that Honda, Toyota, and Mazda at least all offer the plastic wind deflectors for the doors and moonroof. Slight hijack: Back in the 80’s BMW ran a full page ad in the London Times (not cheap, I assume) advertising their new feature for British drivers who complained they couldn’t use their sunroofs because of the inclement British weather. The feature was a blower device that mounted on the front edge of the sunroof and blew a channel of air across the opening, thus allowing one to have one’s roof open in light to moderate rain. It was to be a standard feature on new BMWs and could be retrofitted to older models. BMW got hundreds of orders. What the BMW owners forgot to notice about the ad was the date of publication: April 1st. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819/60 "2005-06-11T19:19:17Z")
A bump, because a buddy of mine just emailed me [this pic](http://usera.imagecave.com/tuckerfan/opr0HWE7.jpeg) of what appears to be a Volvo with a [Superbird](http://www.musclecarcalendar.com/1970%20SUPERBIRD%2064II.jpg) wing. [Pimp from _Amazon Women on the Moon] Safety and reliability are just two of the reasons why I drive a Volvo stationwagon. [/Pf_AWotM\*] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-trim-on-cars/302819.md?page=2)