Bill --
You gave me a good idea! How 'bout doing the stripe in either a darker, or lighter (half tone?), of the body paint color... rather than this contrasting color.
I agree with you - remove the SS trim and just use the stripe as the definition of the body lines.
Also -- I think maybe try the hash marks closer and smaller at the nose - and have them be far fewer as you get to the rear... which is the REVERSE of the AAR Cuda stripe... AND OR -- fading away or getting darker.
Next thing you know -- I'll be an "inferior desecrator" (Interior designer)!!