I recently attempted to purchase a door handle set from Ecklers and they were out of stock. I took and chance and pruchased a 'close to original' set from noahperformance. Bad move. The rear portion of the handles provided are flat and not curved outward to match the body contour of my 1966 coupe. Can anyone provide another source of the handles or should I just wait until they are available from Ecklers? My originals are badly pitted, in my opinion, unrestorable. On that same note, my original side view mirror is really in good shape, only a dozen or so small pits. Any suggestions as to a good restoration shop in the New Jersey area? I would rather restore the original part than replace it.
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Re: 1966 door handles
Steve:
It would probably be more cost effective to buy a new mirror, than to strip, polish, and replate yours.Both the mirror and door handles are available from Trim Parts at www.trimparts.com, and are show quality reproductions.
Joe -
Re: 1966 door handles
Thanks Joe - I appreciate the information.Comment
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Steve, I believe GM sells 66 door handles
Steve,
A year or so ago I bought a set of 66 door handles directly from GM. I think the part numbers for the handles in the 66 AIM are still valid. GM has discontinued the buttons, but you can get those from most of the catalog sellers.
GaryComment
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Re: Steve, I believe GM sells 66 door handles
Gary and Steve-----
Yes, the 1965-67 Corvette outer door handles are still available from GM. The left side is GM #5719143 and the right side is GM #5719142. They GM-list for $44.05 each. However, the fact that they are on backorder from Eckler's probably indicates that they are on back-order from GM.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Are you planning on having the car judged?....
If so, be careful with your purchase agreement. Reproductions to date are easily detectable and subject to deductions. Good Luck!Comment
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Michael, how do they differ?
Michael,
Can you tell us how the currently available '66 handles differ from originals?
Thanks,
GaryComment
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Re: Are you planning on having the car judged?....
Although it is a number matching car, any judging will be local shows, etc. I plan to drive it when the spirit moves me. I have owned the car since 1977 and it has been off the road since 1984 - time to enjoy it and not just look at it!Comment
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Re: Michael, how do they differ?
On the ones I received, you could take a straight edge and place it against the part of the handle that meets the door and it would be completely flat. They might fit a Chevelle or Nova. The original ones I took off the car curve outward slightly at the rear to conform to the body.Comment
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Re: Michael, how do they differ?
Steve----
When you say "...the ones I received...", are you referring to the GM sourced parts or other "reproductions"?In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Michael, how do they differ?
Joe - I was referring to the ones I received from noahperformance. The quality of the chrome was good, they just would not fit flush with the body. Thanks for the part numbers. I will try GM (Local Chevrolet agency) tomorrow.Comment
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Trim Parts are nice but they dont feel the same
I have been struggling with the same question. I have handles from trim parts and they are very nice in appearance. However, they are rounded rather than flat as you grab the back side of the handle. Are the current GM made from the same molds or are trim parts and GM they one in the same now?Keith BurmeisterComment
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Steve, the new GM items look like a good match
Steve,
Last night I compared the GM '66 handles I bought about 18 months ago to the original handles on my car. They look like a good match. There is a slight curve to both old and new handles where the handle mates to the body on the button end.
Also, I was told yesterday that some repro '66 handles are 1/16" thinner in the vertical direction where you grab with your plam and fingers. This is not the case with the new GM items I bought. The new ones match the originals to within a few thousands.
Sounds like there are some poor reproduction handles out there, but the GM items seem pretty close based on a preliminary inspection. Note that I did not mount my new handles on the car, so it's possible some deviation will show up when I get to that step.
GaryComment
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Damned If I Could Find.......
any difference. The pieces I recieved last year from Trim Parts were contoured to match the door profile. The chrome is excellent (probably better than new, which is OK in my book). I was told that there are subtle differences, but when I scrutinized them next to my pitted originals, I couldnt find any. Now, I realize that my eyes aren't as good as they used to be, so after I bumped into the wall, I put my glasses on, and STILL couldn't spot any difference.
Gary, I'm with you----if somebody can help point out the red herring here, I really would like to know.
JoeComment
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Bought a set from GM in Canada
I bought a set from GM in Canada a week ago with no wait. The dealer said they had lots in the warehouse. They were $62 cdn. Maybe a option for someone if you can't get them in the states. MikeComment
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