MTFCA Forum

Been working on the Coup for a while, and got the Timber sorted.
Starting to fit panels.
This moulding that runs around the cab was removed with the nailing strip inside.
Any suggestion how to separate the two without causing damage ?
Both look reusable if I don't cause any unnecessary distortion.

You may already know but Fordwood has a decent 23-25 Coupe body wood picture on their website.
You can go to
Fordwood and see the drawing there along with the body wood and how it’s put together.
It may help some.
I have a 24 Coupe that has almost identical wood like yours does.

I think that the body moulding is reattached after the rest of the body panels are replaced and then nailed to the wood belt rail.
I don’t think you can replace it in one piece now because the body skin goes on first and the moulding is then put to cover the seam.
I replaced part of the wood in my car but didn’t have to replace wood in the belt rail area.

Also know the drawing you see on the Fordwood website may not be totally identical to your car since Ford used different body makers to build the bodies.
By all means try not to bend of damage the metal trim piece.

In your situation cutting off the nails flush with the wood and the drilling out the rest of the nail might be the only way to save the wood belt rail.
If you can do that to each nail you then can reattach the wood now and then reattach the body moulding after the body panels are installed.

If that doesn’t work you can remove the wood piece and make another one to use by making one in about 3-4 pieces and nail it to the body.
Others will know more about it and have other suggestions. Good luck!

The molding pictured is a two piece stamping with a steel tack strip and steel cover that snaps on. The design carried into the 28-29 Model A coupe.

I talked to a 25 Coupe owner years ago at the Old Car Festival. He was able to separate and re-use his belt molding and said he did so by making a thin tool to go between and separate them. I don’t have any pictures of the tool he described.

If you cannot separate and reuse I believe Restoration Supply offers a similar piece in solid aluminum.

Thanks for that ..I wondered if a replacement was available.. just in case... I'll give it a go with a flat screwdriver

You might find that a putty knife works better than a screw driver. Do a little bending at a time and it won't stretch the metal as much..