where can the best parts be found?

[Mark J. NCRS #33661]

Looking to purchase parts for my '67 convertible to replace worn, damaged, or missing components. These are mainly cosmetic parts. There are many catalog vendors out there, and I am looking for guidance on who can supply the best, accurate, correct, etc. replacement parts.

Thank you.

[Tom Pasqual]

Re: where can the best parts be found?

Mark, I've had good luck with Long Island Corvette Supply.

[Bill Braun #33186]

Re: where can the best parts be found?

I've used LI Corvette too and been satified. Their web site is also useful - good diagrams. I plan to go there and stock up when I'm Stateside next week.

Bill Braun #33186

[grr]

Re: where can the best parts be found?

Mark, I take it you have a 67 conv. What is the cars value on the current market? If you have the right car you can get a lot of money right now. Look around the web, make a couple calls. Then budget yourself to the markets value and you'll have an investment. Lots of guys and gals running away from the newer corvettes in droves and buying up a lot of street muscle and older corvettes. Check the web out and get as many catalogs as you can get, compile parts you need in each book,compare prices against other vendors. Make your choicce.Usally if you spend so much money they will discount you, always ask for a discount if you spend several houndred or thousands. grr#33570

[Jerry Clark]

Re: where can the best parts be found?

Hi Mark:

"This in no manner reflects the opinion of the NCRS, its membership and is the SOLE opinion of the author".

If you are looking at interior trim parts I suggest you AVOID Corvette America.

Their warranty states they guarantee their parts will match any of their other parts. They make NO claims to match any original GM pieces and don't try. Their dash and door panels are of the worst quality I have ever seen and don't come close to matching anything else in the car that may be original. They are fond of using ABS, ( or ABS derivative ), backing, (and many other vendors have started doing the same ), ABS while a wonderful, durable material is, in my opinion, not suited to this application. They rely upon sheet metal screws to attach these panels to the car and gauges to these panels and I can virtually guarantee they will not remain secure. If the attachment requires simply a "through" fastener into a body panel, wonderful, but ABS alone will not hold a screw and bear weight and vibration for any length of time. I have sent more interior components back to them and their vendors than all others combined.

This is my opinion and...

jer

[Jeff Gunn #29146]

Re: where can the best parts be found?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet, since I know many of us have had this same experience. What I'm talking about is the lack of quality on many reproduction parts on the market right now. Parts from reputable vendors that don't fit or have incorrect finishes, colors, textures, etc. What I'm suggesting is that you carefully examine anything that you wish to replace and see if you can restore it yourself. This is frequently less expensive, and will probably result in a better looking part with less of a headache for you. If you do need to buy a new one, keep the old one handy until you have installed the new piece. You may quickly find that the two are not interchangable. I won't bore you with the my war stories, particularly regarding interior parts, but suffice it so say that I have plenty. One more thing, I have had quality/interchangability problems of one type or another with pretty much every vendor I've used...Dr Rebuild, Ecklers, Corvette Central, Al Knoch, and Orange Coast Corvette. Dr. Rebuild was mostly OK, haven't bought much from the other catalogs. Al Knoch was and is still a big disappointment...I bought a complete interior kit and the door panels came with the wrong wood grain and the finish on the chrome trim was poor and the blackout around the chrome trim was sloppily done. Wait...I said no war stories...sorry... Best of Luck! Jeff


Jeff's '74 Corvette Restoration Project

[Roberto L.]

Re: where can the best parts be found?

All this advices reminds me something I learnt from my judging chairman. There is no perfect vendor, perfect catalog. Every Corvette vendor, part manufacturer has good parts and others that aren't as good. Art consist in study the catalogs, make questions, compare with previous experiences (as you are doing) and cleverly choose the right parts. But they are not all in one place. Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMC

[G B.]

Difficult to use just one.

Each of the big supply houses makes some "licensed" parts. They keep many of these proprietary. In other words, you can't get them anywhere else. For example, if Paragon has the GM license to reproduce Corvette script valve covers without a seam, you'll probably have to buy the covers from them.

Here is my experience with the big vendors, for what little it's worth. Ships quickly from stock: LICS, Paragon, Dr. Rebuild. Discounts catalog prices to individuals: Corvette Central, Paragon, Zip Products. Informative, clear drawings or photos in catalogs: Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, Corvette Central. Highest percentage parts that fit: Paragon, LICS. They all have about the same return and guarantee policies because they all sell some parts that can not be installed by mere mortals.

[Gary S.]

Re: Difficult to use just one.

I have been using Volunteer Products for most of my purchases. Good folks with a great attitude, unlike other vendors. Good prices and a very helpful staff.

Gary 21316

[Reba Whittington]

Re: where can the best parts be found?

I agree with others that when it comes to restoring an entire car there is no one vendor who has all the correct stuff. Despite Jeff's experience with Al Knoch, I think he has the best seat covers and door panels going. They will even put original GM backing on door panels if requested. As to the wood grain, there is no correct replacement for it. I made the mistake of removing mine several years ago before I discovered there was none out there. Auto Custom Carpet has the best fitting and most nearly correct for most years. While Corvette Central has almost anything one needs, check it carefully upon arrival. Many parts will fit, but are not originally configured. Also beware of "complete fastener kits." I have never seen one that has all correct.

[Kenneth S.]

Re: where can the best parts be found?

I bought almost all my replacement parts from Long Island, highly recommended. Their catalog is easy to use, their prices are good and, if you ask, they will tell you if a part is "NCRS correct."