'65 Skylark Roofline Trim

Hello. I have questions regarding the "raingutter" trim along the roof's side edges of my '65 Skylark hardtop.
1) What is the correct name for it?
2) Aside from looking good (or, at least USED to look good on mine years back), what purpose does it serve? (For a moment, I had suspected that it redirected water towards the aft end of the car while in motion, but I think I was just reaching.)
3) What is the adhesive/filler/caulking material I remember seeing in it? It's pretty well rotted and looks as if it holds in more moisture than it keeps out , so I'd like to strip it out. How could I best strip it out and replace it?
4) How could I remove the trim without damaging it to inspect for rust and clean it out?

Since I'm shooting for a custom look with this restoration, I'd also given some thought to removing all of the trim along the roofline to cut down on moisture traps. Suggesting this to my Dad nearly gave him a seizure. :shock: He's big on customizing his cars, but he considers that trim a key part of the Skylark's defining features.

Any advice for either approach I've considered would be greatly appreciated.

 

Are you refering to the "toupee" trim around the roof which goes down to under the rear window? Or are you refering to the "drip rail" moulding right over the side windows that go down the the front and rear roof posts right over the side windows?

If you are talking about the "drip rail" mouldings, they are going to have to stay. Without serious body modifications, they are their for the long haul.

The "toupee" mouldings, they can be removed pretty easy. They are held on with plastic clips to studs all the way around until right under the rear window. There, you will find a couple of holes on each side that will need to be filled. The studs, you just grind off and they are gone.

As far as being the "Skylark's defining features", I agree with your pop. However, they do not exist on the '65 Skylark Gran Sport and it still looks like a Skylark

 

Hey(Insert your name here!),
1) They're called drip rail moldings.
2) There's a seam there, where the roof panel attaches to the roof support. It also acts as a rain gutter....you could pop off the trim, but then you'll still have one there that'll need to be painted.
3) Look up your local auto-body-supply store in the yellow pages. They'll have the correct stuff....As for removing it, one of my favorite tools is a 4.5" angle grinder. With a flat wire wheel, it'll get in there pretty well.
4) There were a few threads on this recently. Page back thru th posts in this section. Basicly, you need to pry it off, bottom edge first. It's hard to get off without damaging it. Replacements are sold thru Year 1, $110 a pair.....but they are aluminum, not stainless. Some cars had stainless, some had anodized aluminum....... The stainless ones can be repaired and polished....The alum ones will need to be re-anodized after repair.$$$....