Not having the clearcoat on the sides will result in crumbling/chipping clearcoat on the edges over time.
Not necessarily. Vacuum bagging will help the sides form better. The only thing clearcoat will do is make it look prettier. I would much have a clearcoated side than a non-clearcoated side.
--Matt
2003 Sonic Blue SVT Cobra Coupe
2003 RedFire SVT Cobra Convertable
2005 Dark Toreador Red F150 XLT 4x4
2000 Black SVT Contour - Beater
