New GM parts

[Ian S.]

Hello,

While looking at the GM restoration parts site I noticed that as of this month they will be offering front bumpers for C2's and Lower A arms with riveted ball joints. Has anyone heard if these are the same bumpers available from most vendors or have an opinion on the quality of new bumpers. I have hit a dead end looking for NOS.

Thanks,

Ian

[Gary B.]

Re: New GM parts

Ian,

I don't know about the bumpers, but regarding the A-arms with the riveted ball joints, I'm not optimistic that the ball joint will be correct. Also, I wonder if the A-arm will be powder coated like some of the repro T-arms are. If they A-arms are powder coated and the ball joint is incorrect, I think most of the NCRS purists are back to square 1.

Gary

[Geoff C.]

Re: New GM parts Ummmh huh

I would be very much surprised if you saw a difference (other than price) on these 2 particular currently available items that GM Resto will "now" also vend. Sold that way GM Resto will get the wholesale cut of not only the sale from the licensee, but also the license royalty when that same sale was made. Not bad. Hard to compete with that except they don't have anything but jpegs on the shelf. I know where they stock them, and few are really very few that have them new or rather current re-issue on the shelf.

Geoffrey Coenen

[Harmon C.]

Re: New GM parts

Gary What I like is the people on E-Bay selling NOS parts and if someone buys it they can run down to their local GM dealer and buy it while waiting for the check to clear. In one day it becomes New Old Stock and they make a profit by charging a big shipping and handling charge and a few buck on their 25% + discount. Then the part is different but will work just fine. Lyle

[Joe L.]

Re: New GM parts

Ian-----

As far as the bumpers go, I would guess that what GM Restoration Parts is offering are the Paragon reproductions. I think that Paragon is the GM Restoration Parts licensee for manufacture of the bumpers and I don't see how GM Restoration Parts could sell anything else (but, who knows?). Actually, I think that most of the reproduction 63-67 and 68-72 bumpers out there are Paragon's (or, non-Paragon made from the same tooling). As far as I know, there are no "foreign" reproductions of these bumpers on the market, yet (but, who knows?).

As far as the a-arms go, I doubt that what's being offered are actually reproductions. I'll bet that they're actually "refurbished" used pieces with aftermarket-type ball joints rivetted in. The GM Restoration Parts site lists that they have available reproductions of the GM #9762018 and 9762019 ball joints. The prices are dirt-cheap, too. However, I think that I could make a safe bet that these are nothing more than aftermarket ball joints which are REPLACEMENT PARTS for 63-82 Corvettes, like so many other GM Restoration Parts". In my opinion, selling such parts as "reproductions" is a total perversion of the word "reproduction"; they are REPLACEMENT PARTS of the same sort as you could purchase in Autozone, Kragen, Chief, or elsewhere. That does NOT MEAN that they are bad parts; they may be, functionally, as good or even better than the originals. They are just NOT REPRODUCTION parts.

From what I've been told, the tooling for the GM upper and lower front control arms, themselves, was purchased/licensed to Vette Brakes. I don't think that Vette Brakes has started actually manufacturing reproduction pieces, though. There are likely just too many good used pieces out there at this time for them to manufacture reproductions and be cost-competitive.

[Ian S.]

Re: New GM parts

I agree that it is a stretch the way GM markets some of the reproduction parts. I wish that GM would state when a part is not original GM or not like the original etc... very confusing when they use GM part numbers. Maybe it's just me but when I ask most vendors where a part is made including GM I can never get a straight answer, I get treated like I was asking for the secret recipe or something.

[Todd H 26112]

Re: New GM parts

"I wish that GM would state when a part is not original GM or not like the original etc... very confusing when they use GM part numbers"

How about this for a possible litmus test? Do these part #s register on GMs standard parts system and can they be ordered/purchased from your local GM dealer?

I doubt anyone will ever admit to something like 'not like the original...'

Interesting thread... sounds like GM is shrewdly cashing in on getting a little life out of their name (and a little pocket change too) being connected to varous reproduction or replacement parts on popular enthusiast cars when they have otherwise in many cases have long since ceased to be concerned such cars and their needed parts.

I can recall many years ago wondering if GM or any car maker might see value in supporting a sideline business of supporting their 'classic' cars since mail order parts houses seem to do pretty well at it (take your pick, ... mustangs, Chargers...) - how does the expression go? 'Be careful what you ask for?'

[Roger Legge]

Re: New GM parts

The GM Restoration Parts catalog I have is a few years old, so this may have changed, but that catalog lists the vendor that produces each part listed in the catalog.

Roger
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