Sxrxrnr

I have placed a number of small parts into my shopping basket (have not pushed the buy button yet) with Paragon. They offer a deal that if you buy 500.00 dollars or more that they "may depending on part" give a 15 percent or 10 percent discount on all the purchased parts,,,,plus free shipping (and we've already discussed some of the insane prices that these vendors will bless you with shipping fees,,based upon purchase dollars spent and not weight or size of items) for your first order with them. future orders qualify for automatic discounts as long as you have no longer than a 3 month gap between orders.

Perhaps other vendors offer the same, I do not know.

I then thought as I was ordering some 900 bucks worth, that perhaps I should find if any or all would pass NCRS judging. So I called to find what they would have to say.

The response on all items that I read off, was basically "I don't know, perhaps you could call an NCRS Judge to gain their opinion,,,,as each judge is different,,,,my opinion is if the part is totally correct no judge would detect that it was not original" on every part I asked about. I had a rather strong sense that I was being an annoyance to this clerk by asking these questions.

One might ask, if your car is a resto-mod what difference does it make. My answer would be that for the prices charged, I'm more comfortable knowing that I could if I wanted to, use these parts on a stocker if I ever built one, or if I someday wanted to re-sell the part, it would have perhaps more value. If these parts should be obviously incorrect and mine are correct, perhaps I would be better to restore mine, none of which are less than very good condition anyhow.

Here is a list of the more major parts that I am buying. Anyone with any experience or comment on any of them? Car is a 1959.

1. Ignition switch part number 2710. My car has later model Corvette switch

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2. Deluxe lock kit--ignition, trunk, doors, glove box. part number 437K. I need to match ignition lock with new ignition switch and wish single key to unlock all locks.

3. Rear tail light assembly. part number 7551K. Mine are very good, but not mint to the quality of the rest of the car. So plan to upgrade and perhaps sell my old ones. I do not even know if my current ones are repros or originals. Anyone know how to tell the difference.

4. Interior mirror part number 653. They list 3 different quality interior mirrors, this one is the most expensive, but is it correct.

5. Exterior mirror part number 655

I attended the NCRS Convention in San Jose a few months ago. I saw some very nice cars with some very poor looking obvious repro components (front and rear emblems as example), but the same component types on other cars that were excellent quality.

My Father often would say: "Paranoia is merely an enlightened sense of awareness".

I've noted an earlier thread regarding one of our Forum members and his poor experience with a certain other supplier of parts and services. Any comments welcomed on consensus opinion of who their favorite supplier may be.

Scott Marzahl

Paragon does a pretty good job on a lot of their repops but NCRS doesn't approve parts, will a repop pass judging-probably not. If you want original then you need to find or have original parts restored.

jimh_1962

Are you going NCRS? If not, then what does it matter? I understand buying correct parts to get it looking right.

my choices are MaryJoe, KEEN, ZIP, PARAGON, AL KNOCH and CC. Plus, whoever else has the part.

ratmotortom

Just for the conversation. This is how the NCRS standard deduction guidelines rule on reproduction parts.

64_365

Sxrxrnr, just out of curiousity, are you an NCRS member?

Sxrxrnr

Are these vendors in any particular order? I have never heard of MaryJoe, must do some homework.

Although I've been a long time NCRS member, I doubt that any of my current cars would score very well for originality, so not likely to have them judged at an NCRS event. Perhaps someday.

I only feel that parts that would pass NCRS approval would likely be of greater value and those that don't are telling us something about how close to original they may appear or perhaps their quality. Not that GM quality was often that great!

Just found Maryjo on Ebay

http://stores.ebay.com/Vette-Gal-195...__W0QQ_fsubZ18

Sxrxrnr

Many years, membership number 12842.

Was also one of the original founding members (there were 8 of us) that formed Santa Clara Corvettes about 1974 in Mountain View, Calyfornua. They've grown to be one of the largest and most active Corvette clubs in the State.

ratmotortom

Atta boy !!! I just saw your profile that listed you as an NCRS member.

gbvette62

In the case of Paragon, most of the repro parts they make are either coming off of the original GM molds or stampings, or are made for them by the original GM supplier. As such, most of the parts they make are of pretty good quality. Unfortunetly, this is still no guaranty that they will be good enough for every judge.

That being said, only the 2 mirrors, are actually Paragon parts. The other items you listed, they buy from other suppliers.

I think that on some reproduction outside rear view mirrors, there may be a difference in the way the mirror head is crimped to the ball. I don't know if this is the case with Paragon's mirror though. The inside mirror is the best on the market, but that doesn't mean it will make every judge happy. The tail lamps are made by Trim Parts, are made from original GM tooling and are very good. I'm not that familier with the 58-59 ignition switch, but most of the replacement 63-67 switches I've seen, tend to differ some in either appearence or function, from original. I think the key sets are dead on, or as close as you can get.

You can be sure that no matter how good the repro, some judge out there, will find a problem with it.

mdz06vetter

When NCRS looks for ORIGINALITY, five areas are considered:

FIT - how well does the component appear to fit like it would have from the factory

FINISH - how well does the component appear to reflect the finish like it would from the factory

INSTALLATION - how well does the component appear to reflect the installation like it would from the factory

DATE - if there are any date codes associated with the component is it consistent with the other dates noted on the car; with the build date on the tags

COMPLETE - does the component appear to be complete as it would have looked when it left the factory

points are then adjusted based on how many of these five areas are actually attributable to a specific component - for instance if there is no date code, then you assess points against four areas - 25% for each area

hope this makes sense

64_365

kewl

Stewart Allison

Ok nothing from Paragon will pass the savvy judge especially if it's a National event. If it's just a small state event you will pass a few objects but even then you will get caught out 5 times out of 10. Most of the real important stuff is dated and part numbered. Even the emblems at the front won't pass. You need to order the NCRS judging guide and read that from top to bottom against your car to see what you have is original. It's a very expensive passage but very rewarding. If you get pinged for not having the original part you you still get points for having a working service replacement. It's a huge commitment and you have to be that way inclined to have that type of car. Nothing from the majors is correct it's like buying a fake Rolex. Ebay is the best option for NOS stuff and you have to know what your buying before you purchase the wrong part for $500 bucks ! I'm NCRS through and through and love the original stuff. That doesn't mean I don't love a bastardised car. I appreciate both types but just prefer the correct stuff. Stewy

Stewart Allison

No1. ignition is wrong number from Paragon and wrong company brand.
No2. The door kit locks are not the same around the key hole.
No3. the rear lens cnter stainless is incorrect to original the ends are to high.
No4. You may get away with this one ! As long as it has the 3 polished heads showing at the rear stainless section.
No5. The original mirror doesn't have the stamping pressed that far in. Guide Y.
They still work and you will still get points on them but they are not original. Try a 65 year old judge that has been judging for 30 years and has only judged say interior. He carries with him a folder with about 9000 pages in it on every original part in the interior. You just can't pull the wool over this guys eyes ! There bloody good at it and you won't fool these guys with Paragon/ C/C stuff. It takes years and years to get a car up to spec and many, many, years of research and dosh. If I was to do it again I would be buying a car that is correct in 85 % and 100% in the heavy parts like Trans,eng and accessories ,diff and rims.
I have spent 40k on buying the real deal parts because I bought a car that wasn't correct in most areas and decided to go that way. If you start with most of the correct stuff your way ahead. So don't bother unless your wanting to go that way. Love your car by the way Stewy

Stewart Allison

By the way Mary Joe has lots of parts that are listed that claim they are the correct part but are not, you have to know what your buying or you will kiss your money goodbye. Don't leave it to the seller to say this is original, 9 times out of ten it isn't. Know your parts before you bid !! Stewy