Some terrible repops out there...
03-25-2007, 11:28 PM
#1
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Some terrible repops out there...
I recently ordered glove box and console inserts from Crane's, since from what I'd read, they're supposed to have the most accurate repops on the market. I received the order a few days later, drop shipped from Corvette America, and here's what I got. Needless to say, I wasn't a happy camper...
The brushed finish is way too severe.
Compare to the original.
After sanding down from 180 to 400 grit, coating with clear Krylon and buffing with steel wool down to 0000, I came close to the original. I used the cuttout method, but practiced on a template that I made from a piece of scrap aluminum before diving in to the real thing.
And then there was the console shift pattern. Note the difference in the numbers (left is the repop). Totally unacceptable! Fortunately, I was able to use a heat gun to remove the old one from the console and sand out the blems.
Buyer beware?
Jeff
The brushed finish is way too severe.
Compare to the original.
After sanding down from 180 to 400 grit, coating with clear Krylon and buffing with steel wool down to 0000, I came close to the original. I used the cuttout method, but practiced on a template that I made from a piece of scrap aluminum before diving in to the real thing.
And then there was the console shift pattern. Note the difference in the numbers (left is the repop). Totally unacceptable! Fortunately, I was able to use a heat gun to remove the old one from the console and sand out the blems.
Buyer beware?
Jeff
03-25-2007, 11:32 PM
#2
Safety Car
I have found cranes products to be crap in the past
03-26-2007, 07:04 AM
#3
Drifting
I have had a very expensive and unpleasant experience with Crane's. I will not trust him unless I can put my hands on his merchandise before he gets paid. Living in Florida means that I won't be doing anymore business with him which is fine with me.
03-26-2007, 04:52 PM
#4
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They don't call him "crazy David" for nothing...
03-26-2007, 06:15 PM
#5
Race Director
I scratched the top of my ash tray lid some time ago and ordered a replacement. It looked like your glove box insert and I agree it's crap. They should know better than to try and pass that stuff off. I ended up turning the ash tray lid upside down to reuse and it looks fine.
Dan
Dan
03-26-2007, 06:16 PM
#6
Race Director
computer snafu
03-26-2007, 06:26 PM
#7
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Hard to find good reproduction parts. I have many parts (from various vendors) that I did not use for the same reason. Some would not fit, some had bad finish, some did not look like the original and many were just of poor quality. All of them had something in common....high prices.
03-26-2007, 06:39 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
I presumed that Corvette parts would match exactly as the original, as that seems to be important to everyone. It's not like Corvette owners want just a functional replacment. The shift plate was terrible. Stuff like that should not even be for sale.
Are there any good suppliers, or do you have to just buy and send back till you find a good part.
I saw a driver 64 or 65 today in for repairs 327/300 auto with AC PS/PB needed a lot of work, AC missing, leaking fuel. Engine looked orginal. Red with Red interior except the seats were white and the dash was both red and tan. Pretty wierd looking. Did they ever make a two tone dash? The center section with the AC vent and outboard sections were red with the curved passenger and driver sections around the glove box and guages tan.
Battery was on the Drivers side. Is that correct for an AC car?
Mechanic was good he had water running under the car and was fixing the gas leak outside as soon as it came in, a wonder it made it in.
Are there any good suppliers, or do you have to just buy and send back till you find a good part.
I saw a driver 64 or 65 today in for repairs 327/300 auto with AC PS/PB needed a lot of work, AC missing, leaking fuel. Engine looked orginal. Red with Red interior except the seats were white and the dash was both red and tan. Pretty wierd looking. Did they ever make a two tone dash? The center section with the AC vent and outboard sections were red with the curved passenger and driver sections around the glove box and guages tan.
Battery was on the Drivers side. Is that correct for an AC car?
Mechanic was good he had water running under the car and was fixing the gas leak outside as soon as it came in, a wonder it made it in.
03-26-2007, 06:57 PM
#9
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03-26-2007, 07:00 PM
#10
Race Director
Can't imagine how you got a good impression of Crane's. As someone else said, you only have to meet him once to think "scam artist."
03-26-2007, 07:26 PM
#11
Instructor
Cranes Vette Parts
About 4 years ago he had a add in corvete trader for 1957 parking brake light housings complete $500.00 called to order them they were $550.00 the add was in the mag about a year then I called vete gal her add was $500.00 so I bought them from her.He is a rip off.
03-26-2007, 10:39 PM
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Yep. Should have suspected that things wouldn't go smoothly. My conversation with David was very disjointed when I placed the order. I went with him based on positive comments from several respected Forum members in the archives. However, as I noted, the pieces I got were drop-shipped from Corvette America. Comments in the archives were uniformly negative on the CA product. Not sure why Crane couldn't send them directly... I've subsequently been told that the pre-punched emblem holes on some of the venders' glove box repops only line up with the stud patterns on the '66-'67 Corvette emblems. Ask lots of questions before you order these things! 
Jeff
Jeff
03-27-2007, 10:32 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
You guys are really making my life difficult here, or saving me from a lot of problems I suppose... I was getting ready to order a complete convertible top, new frame and brackets from Crane for my 61. Price seemed reasonable, they are close enough that I can pick it up, etc... Are they the only game in town for repop convertible frames? Anyone on here buy one from him? And? Thanks, Andy
Last edited by kwkenuf; 03-28-2007 at 03:04 PM.
03-27-2007, 11:49 AM
#16
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Sully's and Coffman also make repro top frames.
03-27-2007, 04:38 PM
#17
Safety Car
From what I have read in the past Sully's has gotten some good PR for his repro top frames. I will need to order one up too in the near future for my '64.
JohnZ -
Would you know how 'close' Sully's or Coffman's repro top frames are with respect to the factory produced original top frames? ..
JohnZ -
Would you know how 'close' Sully's or Coffman's repro top frames are with respect to the factory produced original top frames? ..
03-28-2007, 01:17 PM
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