Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

**Dick C.** · July 19, 2002, 04:21 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Ask questions when ordering, is it repro?, is a used original or is it nos?. Ask other NCRS members where they get their parts. Join a local NCRS chapter if you haven't already. Open the first page of the restorer and you will find alot of people who know alot about corvettes. Good Luck

**Patrick H.** · July 19, 2002, 05:26 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

In addition, attend NCRS Meets! If you really want to know, go to Monterey and look at the 69's or at least the closest Regional and/or Chapter Meet. Ask the owners questions. OJ on the '69 team to learn your car intricately. The fellow judges will give you loads of info on proper configuration AND who can help you get there. Boy, I'm starting to sound like Jack Humphrey here...

Also, go to a show like Carlisle and visit the vendors. Look at and touch the product. Hands-on buying is head and shoulders above catalog buying. The expense and time of each trip will be made up ten fold by what you save later on. Trust me. Once you see the difference between the interior parts of vendors A and B, for example, you'll be able to make informed decisions. In addition, remember that there are generally only one or two companies that make each reproduction part. The others buy these parts and then sell them in their catalogs. Finding out whose parts they sell is the key, if they'll tell you.

When I prepared to start restoring parts of my 71, I spent three summers visitng every large show I could and looking at 71's. I've got tons of photos of both originals and restored cars, and I still continue to research as I work on the car years later.

Patrick

**Todd Pollock** · July 19, 2002, 05:39 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Cal-

I am in a similar boat as you. I am trying to plan for the restoration on my 62. I get rather confused on why some parts seem reasonable but I am encouraged to buy more expensive parts. Basically don't feel alone I am in the same boat. Pay close attention to your judging manual and use this board.

Basically I don't have any answers but everytime I am ready to pull the trigger on parts now I take a step back and check that part with several vendors to see what differences there may be. It has saved me some money by asking a few questions and finding parts arent quite correct.

Best of luck just keep visualizing you rcompleted car and thinigs will be fine.

Todd.

**John L.** · July 19, 2002, 05:52 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

In addition to what others have said especially about shows, there will once again be an NCRS Gallery at Carlisle this year. There will be plenty of NCRS cars for you to look at and more importantly take pictures and ask the owners questions. There will also be representatives from the Delaware Valley Chapter and probably folks from the Central New Jersey Chapter of NCRS to discuss things with you.

good luck

john lolli

**Robert C.** · July 19, 2002, 06:18 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Mike, The general rule that I have found is that all repro parts are somewhat different in configuration, or finish than the original parts that came on the car. You have to find used original parts and refinish them or new old stock parts if you want to have a high point judged car. There are many good repro's out there that you can use that are fine with most judges. You have to do your homework and pick venders that have been around for along time and proven themselves and attend every available swap meet that cater to Corvette parts. The other source is Corvette junk yards and the NCRS Driveline. I used the Driveline when I restored my 71 placing ads saying "I'm looking for---", or "wanted 69 parts". You would be amazed what people have and the calls you'll get.

**Craig S.** · July 19, 2002, 07:04 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Cal - I mirror everyone elses comments, and will add the following. Every year, I always go to the two major shows, Bloomington, and Carlisle. At Bloomington, I take every class I can related to my year(s) of cars...they have an outstanding class program. You can occasionally find good part there also. Carlisle, on the other hand, is just plain hands down the best parts show I have ever been at. With 700+ vendors sprawled over 83 acres, it is parts heaven. As Patrick says, nothing beats looking at the part BEFORE you buy. And guess what, we all still end up with the wrong stuff at times, and either store it or sell it on Ebay. But with proper research, you can keep this cost to a minimum, the parts cost too much anyway!....Craig

**Patrick H.** · July 19, 2002, 09:23 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

To follow up on the "look before you buy" thought, it pays to know (to a certain extent) what is still available from GM. I've seen, for example, rear license plate bezels for my 71 for 50% more than what you could buy them for at your local dealer. The "NOS" label can be just as rampant at a big show as it is on ebay.

Good luck!

Patrick

**Steve Westphal** · July 19, 2002, 11:11 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Just a short story about how I feel about most repro parts. Two years ago, my wife restored a 1960 VW Bug. It is her 7th one and why she is enamored with them I will never know. The left rear fender was fine but the right rear was rusted badly requiring replacement. After a bunch of inquiries I found the parts vendor that was known for their repro fenders. In the catalog it said that is wise to buy both fenders even if only replacing one! Sounded like good advice so I did it. When they arrived the right fender was a full 2 inches longer than the left. Quality control surpassed only by the Iowa School for the Blind!!! I will only buy repro parts these days after ascertaining that there is not one used or NOS part left of the face of the earth. Steve

**Patrick H.** · July 19, 2002, 11:30 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Steve,

I think you're comparing apples with oranges here, though.

Before my 1971 Corvette I "restified" a 1976 VW Beetle (see link below), and before that did a 1970 Beetle with a friend. I can tell you that in my opinion, the worst Corvette repro part is better than the best VW repro part. I clued in some of the Mid America guys to this when they decided to try the VW parts biz, and after a few months in the business they told me they fully agreed. I told MA that if they wer going to do VW parts, at least sell GOOD ones since the world already had enough junk VW parts. The nice thing about VW Bugs is that since they are still being made, factory original parts can often still be found. For the most part, I know that's not true for my 1971 Corvette.

Original Corvette parts are usually better than reproductions, but I'd never consider them as bad as VW reproductions!

Patrick

**John H.** · July 20, 2002, 01:19 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

And Patrick takes GREAT pictures - I use them all the time!

**Patrick H.** · July 20, 2002, 07:38 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Yeah, I've even given you your own web page.

MDE

Hinckley's Page

**John H.** · July 20, 2002, 08:14 PM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Patrick -

And I shall be forever appreciative - haven't figured out yet how to make my own; probably why you're a Medical Director Extraordinaire and I'm just a pensioner

**Patrick H.** · July 21, 2002, 07:10 AM

Re: Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Let me have your garage, and I'll teach you how to make a web page.

I should probably put your garage pics up there too. You know, get the whole collection together. I'll try for more in Monterey too.

Patrick

Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

Advice on purchasing parts, repro and new

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