Source for Parts Microfiche?

[Tom D.]

Can anyone tell me where I can get a parts microfiche for a '74 Corvette? I have a fiche viewer at home, so the original film type would be great. If these are also available in CD format, that would be fine also.

Thanks!

Tom

[Duke W.]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

Back in that era the GMPD Corvette Parts Catalog was a paper book- acutually two - a parts catalog and an IPB. The IPB just contained "representative illustrations going back to the fifties, not a complete IBP for all years. I'm not sure if GM ever went to a fiche before they switched to the current computer based system. I know for passenger cars, the current system only goes back to 1976. For prior models you have to hope that the dealer still has the last paper book for '75 and prior models that was issued sometime in the eighties.

GMPD Corvette Parts Catalogs show up on e-bay. For a '74 you would want one that was issued in the '74-'75 time frame as it will list all the original service parts, however, most of those part number are probably discontinued.

Having a parts catalog is handy, because you can just have the parts guy input the number and the system will tell him if it current, superceeded, or discontinued.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

Back in that era the GMPD Corvette Parts Catalog was a paper book- acutually two - a parts catalog and an IPB. The IPB just contained "representative illustrations going back to the fifties, not a complete IBP for all years. I'm not sure if GM ever went to a fiche before they switched to the current computer based system. I know for passenger cars, the current system only goes back to 1976. For prior models you have to hope that the dealer still has the last paper book for '75 and prior models that was issued sometime in the eighties.

GMPD Corvette Parts Catalogs show up on e-bay. For a '74 you would want one that was issued in the '74-'75 time frame as it will list all the original service parts, however, most of those part number are probably discontinued.

Having a parts catalog is handy, because you can just have the parts guy input the number and the system will tell him if it current, superceeded, or discontinued.

Duke

[Tom Darone]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

Duke,

Thanks for the informative response. Sorry to see they didn't have a fiche. I have one set for each of my 3 Z cars and find them invaluable. No more trying to communicate to a parts rep over the phone and hope that he understands the little special bolt under the dash that you are looking for. As you said, being able to give a parts number directly is a big time and effort saver.

I'll check e-bay. Meanwhile, if anyone else knows of a source for the paper version, I would love to hear of it.

Thanks!

Tom

[Tom Darone]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

Duke,

Thanks for the informative response. Sorry to see they didn't have a fiche. I have one set for each of my 3 Z cars and find them invaluable. No more trying to communicate to a parts rep over the phone and hope that he understands the little special bolt under the dash that you are looking for. As you said, being able to give a parts number directly is a big time and effort saver.

I'll check e-bay. Meanwhile, if anyone else knows of a source for the paper version, I would love to hear of it.

Thanks!

Tom

[Doug Flaten]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

I'm not sure who makes the microfiche or who did GM shop manuals back then. However, Helms made the shop manuals for old Fords and they made the last GM manual that I got in the 90's. Years ago I bought a manual from them on microfilm that was out of print. Just a shot, but maybe they also handle the Microfiche.

[Doug Flaten]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

I'm not sure who makes the microfiche or who did GM shop manuals back then. However, Helms made the shop manuals for old Fords and they made the last GM manual that I got in the 90's. Years ago I bought a manual from them on microfilm that was out of print. Just a shot, but maybe they also handle the Microfiche.

[Tom Darone]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

Doug,

Thanks for the idea. Helms did distribute the manuals back then. I remember ordering one for my '68 Camaro back in the early 70s. I checked their web site and they actually address parts manuals in the FAQs. Unfortunately, they refer us back to the Dealers. But again, thanks for the idea - it was certainly worth a look!

Tom

[Tom Darone]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

Doug,

Thanks for the idea. Helms did distribute the manuals back then. I remember ordering one for my '68 Camaro back in the early 70s. I checked their web site and they actually address parts manuals in the FAQs. Unfortunately, they refer us back to the Dealers. But again, thanks for the idea - it was certainly worth a look!

Tom

[Joe L.]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

Tom------

No Chevrolet P&A Catalog in microfiche was ever produced for 53-74 Corvettes. This would have been the catalog that would have been most useful for your parts information needs. You may find a 53-74 paper catalog for sale on eBay, though.

The last catalog for 1953-82 Corvettes was published by GM in December, 1983. After that time, it was no longer updated. Copies of this catalog can be found in both paper and microfiche format. The paper copies are all found in the used marketplace and can be obtained from used automotive book dealers and on eBay. The microfiche versions are still produced, but the easiest way to get one is from eBay sources. Just do a search on "microfiche" and I think you'll turn up a source, if not the catalog.

Keep in mind, though, that as I say, this catalog was last updated in December, 1983. So, most of the parts shown in it are long-since discontinued or superceded. Also, since it is a 1983 edition, parts shown for your 74 may not be the original part numbers. Bit, they will be the SERVICE part numbers. IF, they're still available. Which, in the vast majority of cases, will not be the case.

[Joe L.]

Re: Source for Parts Microfiche?

Tom------

No Chevrolet P&A Catalog in microfiche was ever produced for 53-74 Corvettes. This would have been the catalog that would have been most useful for your parts information needs. You may find a 53-74 paper catalog for sale on eBay, though.

The last catalog for 1953-82 Corvettes was published by GM in December, 1983. After that time, it was no longer updated. Copies of this catalog can be found in both paper and microfiche format. The paper copies are all found in the used marketplace and can be obtained from used automotive book dealers and on eBay. The microfiche versions are still produced, but the easiest way to get one is from eBay sources. Just do a search on "microfiche" and I think you'll turn up a source, if not the catalog.

Keep in mind, though, that as I say, this catalog was last updated in December, 1983. So, most of the parts shown in it are long-since discontinued or superceded. Also, since it is a 1983 edition, parts shown for your 74 may not be the original part numbers. Bit, they will be the SERVICE part numbers. IF, they're still available. Which, in the vast majority of cases, will not be the case.