Joe79Vette

I am rebuilding my 79 vette and was curious if the reproduction parts were equal to the quality of the parts in 1979. The parts I have replaced have been hit or miss when it come to quality especially the interior stuff. I think most of the original 1979 stuff is of better quality but just wanted others thoughts.

Thanks

Joey

kanvasman

I am rebuilding a 78 and I am trying to use as much of the OEM stuff as I can. A little more time to clean it up and paint it, but I agree that the OEM stuff is, in most cases, better than what's available now. I find it hard to believe that ANYTHING made today will last almost 40 years!

Alan 71

Hi J,
I think most people agree that the interior soft and trim parts are the most 'troublesome' of all reproduction parts.
I agree with K that restoring the original is almost always the best thing to do.
Regards,
Alan

68/70Vette

My observations..a little bit exaggerated, to some extent,..but you get the idea:

1) If the repro part appears to be of good quality and appearance it either won't work or won't fit.
2) If the repro part fits or works, it'll be of poor quality and appearance.

At the present time, I'm restoring the vacuum stuff on the 70. You can expect to find that the repro vacuum fittings look really nice...however they leak and therefore won't work. For my defective repro vacuum parts, I'll be buying OEM used parts from a Corvette salvage yard. I bought repro vacuum actuators for the 68 headlights.$$$ 6 years and no real usage. one of them is too leaky to use. I replaced it with a pretty nice looking used OEM part from a Corvette salvage yard. The original GM/Delco/Saginaw parts can often be of much better quaiity than repro parts even though the original parts are 40 year old and perhaps used.

LS4 PILOT

Most repro parts are junk , don't fit or don't look correct....due to cheap and inferior materials and shoddy labor.

LS4 PILOT

Few and far between parts are equal or superior to the old parts in terms of quality.


Almost always better off to have your GM original items restored if there is a service available .

I had most of my engine items rebuilt 20 plus years ago , by experts in their field ,the parts have outlived many of the people that restored them.

Brack c

That was my biggest concern when I replaced the interior on my 82 .From the dash pad all the way to the cover over the storage area in the rear . I guess I was one of the lucky ones .
Carpet fit , door panels , seat cover/ cushion & only had one issue with thedash & that was the area of the windshield wiper switch .

ignatz

Have an excellent Corvette store where I live that can source repro or good used parts. Suggest you find one wherever you are and get to know the staff. If you have to replace something take as much along with you as possible to verify the fit.

Joe79Vette

Thanks Guys. I must say that the carpet and the rear compartment unit I got from Willcox was great and looks awesome. It was the trim etc that really has me wondering what to do.


Joey

7T1vette

None of the repop parts are as good as what the factory installed. You would do well to find parts of EQUAL quality. If you want to replace interior panels/parts, your best bet is to find salvaged parts (swap meets, salavage yard storage) and refurbish them. A good cleaning and quality coating of correct color vinyl dye will do wonders...and the parts will actually FIT correctly.

0Willcox Corvette

Joey- Which piece of trim are you having questions about?

Willcox

Joe79Vette

I have questions about the main console piece and the piece behind the door latch. Mine are showing their age. Not sure what to do to bring the black back to the console. . Do I just clean and repaint the pieces by the door latch? Also what about the carpet on the door panel? Is this carpet replaceable? My interior is dark blue.

Thanks
Joey

7T1vette

All the carpeting pieces are available in about every color you could want. Door panels are available, but expensive. SEM vinyl dye is available at most pro auto body paint supply stores (they provide paints for the body shops) and can be mixed to an interior color code or matched to a sample you bring in.

DO NOT USE REGULAR SPRAY PAINT ON PLASTIC INTERIOR PARTS. Sorry, I had to yell that...most folks just don't get it.

Repair/recolor whatever existing parts you have; if the part is 'toast', find a good salvaged part you can make minor repairs and recolor; replace parts only if you must.

Good luck.

Joe79Vette

Thanks 7T1vette. I already have the special paint from Corvette America for my interior color. It works and matches well. That is why I was asking if I should continue this or buy new reproduction parts. Looks like everyone agrees to fix as much as possible or try to find good used original parts. Thanks again.


Joey

Jet Tech

I recently purchased exterior door handles from Willcox and was VERY pleased with the fit, finish and quality of the units made by Trim Parts.

Here are two rules of thumb that I tend to use:

If you see two versions of a part, offered at two different price points, beware the lesser expensive piece.

When presented with the choice, go with Made in the USA vs. produced overseas.

7T1vette

Willcox is highly recommended as having good quality parts and is willing to stand behind them if problems are found