How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

[Patricia Brown]

Hello,

I will eventually need a whole front clip for my '72 cowl-back body. I'm wondering how rare an original is to find, such that if I find one somewhere should I spring for it before I really need it, or are they not too hard to find, such that I can wait 'til I really need it?

Is it correct that holding out for an original is better than going with Corvette Image or Semersheims (sp?)? I have heard that even the best aftermarket press-molded can have issues the originals did not.

Patricia

[Tracy C.]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

If I needed a front clip and I found a good original, I would buy it unless it was priced like a Barrett Jackson L88..

Waiting until you are ready will almost always delay your project and add extra expense because you "need it now".

tc

[Patricia Brown]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

Is $3000 a fair price for an original nose, complete with wheel housings, etc.?

Patricia

[Joe L.]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

Patricia------

Good front end clips for ANY Corvette are hard to find. That's because the most frequent sort of damage that Corvettes sustain is front end damage.

Personally, I would say that if you can find a VERY GOOD front end clip for your car it would be worth $3,000 that you mentioned. Now, as far as I'm concerned, that means a PERFECT and COMPLETE front clip that has had NO previous damage or repairs. That would be worth $3,000 to me. However, if it's anything less than what I described, I'd keep looking for someone else to give my $3,000 to that has what I described for sale.

[Tracy C.]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

Not too familiar with C3 part prices, but I'll bet you would spend at least this amount for a press molded reproduction clip. If it's complete and perfect (expecially the area needed to bond back onto the cowling) I think it's a fair price.

Anytime you can buy original for the price of repop, do it.

tc

[Patricia Brown]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the advice on cost. Yes, I guess that's about what a press molded repro is going for. It can be hard to know if a used clip is perfect...until you strip the paint! It's always a gamble.

Patricia

[Dennis D.]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

I bought a 1970 corvette coupe for 1500.00, just for the front clip. I think the guy thought I was crazy, The frame was rusted out, no engine,drivetrain ,interior..... on and on.

What it DID have was a,(although really weathered), perfect front clip. In fact the rear clip is excellent also. Found all the harnesses and vac hoses, original and intact. Had a working 5 port washer pump with the original washer hoses all the way to the anti-siphon valves. ( Can get 1/4 of my 1500.00 for those pieces alone). Few other choice pieces up front.

To me, I would only buy a vender clip as a last resort.

[Tracy C.]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

wouldn't buy anything without a close personal inspection of the inside of all body panels. Heavy undercoating would also be a reason to walk away unless the seller has the paint already stripped off the surface.

[Terry F.]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

Dennis, I like your idea. Find a parts car that is really parted out. Maybe something with rear end damage, etc. Terry

[Terry F.]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

Patricia, if you live or are near a large city post a want add in it. You might be surprised what you come up with. Ask for a front clip or badly damaged car. You might get rid of somebody's eye sore for them and get a fairly good deal out of it. If you end up with a bunch of left over parts....welcome to ebay. Terry

[Patrick H.]

Re: How Rare Are '72 Front Clips?

Patricia,

I passed on a 71 front clip 2 years ago at Carlisle, even though I knew I'd need one someday.

Thanks to a deer, I needed one now, and bought an entire 71 body in December just for the front clip.

If you can find one in very good shape around $3000 or less, and you KNOW you will need it in the next 2 years, just buy it. Reproduction front clips will cost you about that same $3000 and I'd MUCH rather have an original piece. The reproductions will require a LOT more bodywork to work right, and that will cost you even more money.

I think Joe may be a tad off here. If I found a really, REALLY nice one, I'd be happy to pay more than $3000. If you find one at that price with a hood (and you need both) then go for it. Remember that 72 has a unique hood support and location (compared to 70/71).

Patrick

[Brandon Metzger]

Front clips

Patricia,
I bought a pront clip from Corvette image. I can send picks if you need it. $3000 gets you the front clip and inner dust fenders. I believe these are made off GM molds,....or at least original GM clips were used to make their molds. The clip even comes with extra wide cross piese that covers the windshield wiper area. This needs to be removed per the gm assembly manual.

I have not installed mine but I know exactly what I am getting, no supprises. The only think that is missing on these clips is the little nick nack fiberglass pieces that are bonded on the underneath of the clip. These could be salvaged from your current clip.

Anyway, my two cents. I think it is a toss up unless you can find a great used front clip and can check out everything on it. This is hard to do in many of the critical areas.

Good luck,
Brandon

[Patricia Brown]

Re: Front clips

Thanks, everyone, for your help. The biggest concern for me is getting a GOOD used clip. From the reading I've done, original 'glass is a safer bet than aftermarket press-molded (and don't even consider hand-laid). However, I would have to trust the seller about the condition of the clip, as there are no Corvette junk yards within reasonable distance for me to personally check it out. I know paint can hide a lot of neat little surprises!

Brandon, it's nice to hear you're pleased with the Corvette Image front clip. They would likely be the alternative, for me, if I don't find used. I like the idea of knowing the whole thing is in perfect shape, ready to go. A used one may need a lot of work, and at the least will need paint stripping and clean up. The price is about the same.

I remember reading a thread a while back about some folks here having Corvette Image panels that later caused some blistering of the paint. I was unclear whether a concensus was reached as to the cause. It seemed some people felt the panels were still "green" and oozing some resin, for which time to sit (I have a lot of time) would fix. Others felt the panels allowed moisture in from the back of the panel, through the glass, to lift the paint; they thought the Image panels were not as resistant to moisture as the orginals. This concerns me greatly. It if wasn't for this worry, I'd spring at the new front clip from Image.

Any ideas? Did you guys figure out what was going on with the Image panels? Any way to seal the backside of the panel so moisture can't work through? I don't want a ruined paint job!!

Patricia

[Patrick H.]

Re: Front clips

Patricia,

I believe that the Corvette Image clips must be gel coated to avoid having the issues you mention.

To buy a front clip long distance, I had the buyer take lots and lots of pictures, and send them to me. I'll bet I have 40 pictures if any. Believe it or not, I own the body but have never seen it. It's sitting at the home of my former college roommate, who verified the condition as per my discussion with him before he gave the seller the money for the clip. I was comfortable with the whole arrangement and once winter is gone I'll drive 8 hours (each way) to pick it up.

I ran the +/- discussion of repro vs. original past some of my friends, and the decision was unanimous to go with the original.

Patrick

[Patricia Brown]

Re: Front clips

Thank you, Patrick. Yet another vote for original.

Man, what are we ever going to do 10 years from now? It's hard enough now to find originals.

Patricia