1968-74 side exhaust covers
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
1968-74 side exhaust covers
side pipe covers What are the differences in the Eckler repo side exhaust covers and the NOS GM side exhaust covers GM part #s3972591 & 3972592 ? Gary
Last edited by gkmoz; Feb 26, 2006 at 07:52 PM. Reason: added pic
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Ecklers
Called Ecklers and they stated theirs are the GM exact reproductions, I"m pretty sure the guy would have mentioned the metal verses the fiber glass 
I'm in posession of these and I was told they were GM originals I need to find out absolutely if they are ! ! Gary
I'm in posession of these and I was told they were GM originals I need to find out absolutely if they are ! ! Gary
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Paragon manufacturers the reproductions. Anybody who sells the repro 69 side exhausts are selling the Paragon product.
They're really not reproductions, as I believe that Paragon bought the original molds to make them from GM.
They're fairly pricey...about $2200.00+for a set less the pipes.
Each cover consists of 4 main pieces, the fiberglass/metal "insulator", the chrome front piece, the chrome mid piece, and the chrome tail piece. All of the chrome pieces bolt/screw onto the insulator, and the insulator is then bolted to the car like the rocker panels (with a few extra brackets, etc.) Chuck
They're really not reproductions, as I believe that Paragon bought the original molds to make them from GM.
They're fairly pricey...about $2200.00+for a set less the pipes.
Each cover consists of 4 main pieces, the fiberglass/metal "insulator", the chrome front piece, the chrome mid piece, and the chrome tail piece. All of the chrome pieces bolt/screw onto the insulator, and the insulator is then bolted to the car like the rocker panels (with a few extra brackets, etc.) Chuck
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Topic to the top
Got these fiberglass side pipes they are chrome plated, called Ecklers and their repros are fiber glass also but they don't come chrome plated. So what and where do these come from/ and what do they cost ? thanx for your help Gary
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Originally Posted by gkmoz
Got these fiberglass side pipes they are chrome plated, called Ecklers and their repros are fiber glass also but they don't come chrome plated. So what and where do these come from/ and what do they cost ? thanx for your help Gary
The reproductions are metal with a fibreglass insulator; these are the ones in your pics; cost is around $2400 for a pair.
NOS is a term for genuine GM parts; a set on Ebay sold for $4000 in original boxes (price included factory side pipes too).
Hope this helps
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
The sidepipe covers that are factory repro are ...cast aluminum pieces that are chrome plated. This is why you are seeing prices of $2200 for a pair. Normally in the 1960's you'd expect these parts to be chrome plated pot metal. In those days GM made most of this sort of stuff out of pot metal. By 1969 maybe some of the new technology people were making an influence. Pot metal is very heavy. There were new technology people that were internally pushing GM to go to aluminum. These people must have prevailed for the sidepipe covers. The downside is that although aluminum is very light, chrome plating it is much more expensive. Maybe that's why we're seeing $2200 for a pair.
Apparently Paragon has the right to manufacture and sell these pieces (even though other Corvette vendors sell them).
Apparently Paragon has the right to manufacture and sell these pieces (even though other Corvette vendors sell them).
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
fiber glass/ chrome plated
Thanx everyone for your input ! 
The ones I have are chrome plated fiber glass. These aren't mine, but a widow lady down the street. Her husband had a 68 SB 4-spd he was going to restore. But cancer took him. She would like to know what she has for sure ! she was offered over $1,000 for them and turned the guy down. I checked these with a very strong magnet/cloth and these are definately fiber glass. but are chrome plated. she was told they were factory originals! I get different stories on these. Just want to make sure she doesn't let them go to cheap ! as she is on a fixed income.! your patience with me would be greatly appreciated As I am a buick GS guy ! 65 convertible ! thanx Gary
The ones I have are chrome plated fiber glass. These aren't mine, but a widow lady down the street. Her husband had a 68 SB 4-spd he was going to restore. But cancer took him. She would like to know what she has for sure ! she was offered over $1,000 for them and turned the guy down. I checked these with a very strong magnet/cloth and these are definately fiber glass. but are chrome plated. she was told they were factory originals! I get different stories on these. Just want to make sure she doesn't let them go to cheap ! as she is on a fixed income.! your patience with me would be greatly appreciated As I am a buick GS guy ! 65 convertible ! thanx Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
Gizumtite posted:
Im lost, I didnt know you could chrome plate fiberglass. I might be out of the loop and didnt understand what was posted.
Good luck!
The ones I have are chrome plated fiber glass
Good luck!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 692
Likes: 69
From: Juneau AK
Originally Posted by LittleJake
Gizumtite posted:
Im lost, I didnt know you could chrome plate fiberglass. I might be out of the loop and didnt understand what was posted.
Good luck!
Im lost, I didnt know you could chrome plate fiberglass. I might be out of the loop and didnt understand what was posted.
Good luck!
. So now you're talking $1200 for two plus the cost of the covers at $550 .... plus freight.... In any case I was surprised to find that they will chrome fiberglass too. He said that it was no problem...
Their website is: www.advancedplating.com/ and I've heard good things about their quality.
kdlp
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Dahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Originally Posted by VettePower
I checked these with a very strong magnet/cloth and these are definately fiber glass. but are chrome plated.
A magnet will not work on aluminum..................
A magnet will not work on aluminum..................