> Why is there a clear strip of something over the body where my tires
> are?  IS this some time of protection?

Yes-- it's a "stone guard" so stones flying up from the tires (and not
caught by mudflaps cuz you probably don't have them--depends on the year
maybe, I'm not sure...I know I don't have 'em) won't dink your paint there.
Kinda puny protection in my opinion, but there you have it.  I only noticed
mine the other day during a consult with the person who's about to repaint
my van and I asked him what it was...we were looking at all the stone dinks
around the little clear plastic bit....

>How can I get another strip?

Any body repair place would have the stuff in sheets and could either make
a pattern and cut and place it, or sell you some and you could do that.  I
haven't looked for the pre-cut replacements, but I doubt it's worth the
cost if you find them-- but I could be wrong.

--Patrice
85GL "VanaBlue"