I want to keep it reasonably original. Did every 73 come with those racing strip-like door guards. I not sure I ever liked them. Now is my opportunity to remove them.

Any thoughts?

The hideous side trim was usually a dealer installed add on . Get rid of them . They ruin the good looks of a Z .

Never factory installed, always added later, often by the selling dealer. I'd leave it off if it were mine, but some people do like them. Your call.

I had fabrication shop weld the holes in my early 260Z before painting. I'm happy I did, it looks great..

Please remove it. Completely ruins the sporty look of the Z.

Bryce

at the least remove before painting. If you like them you can put new ones back on. I left mine off.

I'll be the dissenting voice here. I have and like them. If you want to actually drive and "park" you Z anywhere, they do help reduce door dings along the super-sonic line, (the outermost point where car doors will hit). The vinyl strips are available in different colors than black. Mine for example, are silver.

I throw my hat in with the 'toss them' crowd. I personall think they ruin the lines of the Z. And if you're going for originality I'll reiterate that they are not factory original.

That being said, it's your car and do what you think looks best.

At the least remove before painting.

What about the mud flaps?

:tapemouth

I like how Oiluj’s fade into the color of the car… but I don’t like how mine sticks out and I will take them off when the new paint happens.

I think that once you get yours painted, it will stand out enough that most people will know to be careful near it. You’ll probably also alter your parking habits for a while (maybe by just a few spots down where nobody else is), and that should take care of the rest who would give you a ding.

The two big questions are if you like them, and if it’s a daily driver? Since you don’t mind them, it’s just a matter of how often you sport your Z.