1. bought some RPM from ECS for the front suspension parts, but what about the rear leaf springs. are they natural metal originally or painted black, Seen it both ways on cars at shows. Car is 70 hemi clone. 2. Does anyone make a decent set of wheel opening trim or is there just one supplier? The repops are junk. 3. I know the right side resonator hanger is welded on and painted and the left bolts on duel exhaust cars but is the left hanger painted or natural metal finish? Also if anyone has a pic of the hanger on the car that would be very helpful. Need to see exact location. Sorry so long winded but thanks for the help.

Of all the cars I've delt with over the years, I've never seen any paint on leaf springs. Always complete rust.

Regarding the hanger, I believe it should be non-painted. I don't know what the original finish was. It may have been cad plated, but most originals I've seen are rusty.

Check this link...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/70-74-Cuda-Chall...=item5d2e7f21b5

The DS bolt on hanger is bare metal. The new ones look like they come zinc plated. There are 4 indentations in the floorpan where you need to drill.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/upload2/4501928-Dsc05276-1.jpg

You'll have to pull the spring packs apart and heat each leaf separately.

Where are you getting new springs that come unpainted?

This is for an a-body, but in talking with Detroit Eaton spring they will come unpainted (at least that is what she told me on the phone).

I believe Trans Am E bodys had black painted springs, but the others were natural.

People will tell you that the Dale's Cuda shop wheel opening trim is the best but THAT WAS NOT MY EXPERIENCE. The ones from Year One were the best. I THINK these are made by Metro, but I'm not sure. What I do know is that the rear trim from Dale's was completely unusable. They were INCHES off. Just buy from Year One first and if you aren't happy with them, their return policy is favorable. However, don't return them until you get another set in hand from whomever you try next. Seriously, I have an unusable set still here in my shop from Dale's. I couldn't believe how bad they were. Otherwise, my experiences with Dale's has been excellent.

Also, I wish I had known, but it is best to have the trim before you start on body work because your wheel openings can be massaged to work with your trim. These trim parts are the weakest point of my car. It doesn't have to be like this PG CLASSICS AND BE&A... you guys can SAVE us!

Thanks for the input on the wheel opening moldings. I already ordered a set from dales cuda shop, hope they are better than what I have. luckily my car is in primer and my resto shop is pre-fitting every piece of trim prior to paint. More money but definitely worth it in the long run.

My customer brought me a set from Laysons this fall.

Most of the screw holes lined up with factory holes in the panels

Ft's went on fine with minimul work.

Rears however took a bit of massaging. And I had to make 2 small cuts in the flat part of the mdlg to get them to fit factory quarter panels.

If you get a hanger that is zinc plated and you want it bare metal, make about a 50/50 mix of water and muriatic acid. Put the part in it until the fizzing stops. The zinc will be gone. Then, an application of the RPM (Rust Prevention Magic) might be a good thing.