Any ideas on the best parts supplier? 
best C3 parts vendor?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Collierville TN
I have placed several orders from Davies Corvette and have gotten good service and had no problems with the parts.
http://www.corvetteparts.com/home/index.htm
They are currently my go-to vendor.
I've also placed a couple of orders with Ecklers, and although they are pricy the service was good. One of the orders with Ecklers was for a rebuilt power steering control valve so I had to go through their core-return process. It took them a couple of weeks to credit me for the core but other than that no problems.
http://www.corvetteparts.com/home/index.htm
They are currently my go-to vendor.
I've also placed a couple of orders with Ecklers, and although they are pricy the service was good. One of the orders with Ecklers was for a rebuilt power steering control valve so I had to go through their core-return process. It took them a couple of weeks to credit me for the core but other than that no problems.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 9
From: staten island ny
Depends what you need, get catalogs from corvette america, ecklers, mid america corvettes, rik's corvette parts, the last detail corvette parts, doc rebuild, al knoch interiors, willcox, zip, etc. They're all pretty good, doc rebuild has a pretty good rep. like most vendors some will hate em and some will love em and like most vendors some will have cheaper prices than others on certain items. Also get yourself a GM year specific manual ( 50 bux on ebay), not chiltons and also get an AIM, its an assembly manual, (19 bux or so thru most vendors) its invaluable when repairing/restoring a vette. Lastly post questions here, guaranteed someone here had the problem b4 you,
ESU
ESU
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
My favorites:
http://www.corvette-paragon.com/
http://www.corvettecentral.com/
http://www.ecklers.com/
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/
Year One has always served me very well for Camaro parts, I would assume the same customer service for Vette parts.
For certain parts where manufacturer is important to me, I like to buy direct:
Fiberglass parts:
http://www.acivette.com/
Seat and door trim:
http://www.alknochinteriors.com/
Exhaust:
http://www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com/
http://www.stainlessworks.net/cart/index.php
Cooling system:
http://www.dewitts.com/index.asp
http://www.corvette-paragon.com/
http://www.corvettecentral.com/
http://www.ecklers.com/
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/
Year One has always served me very well for Camaro parts, I would assume the same customer service for Vette parts.
For certain parts where manufacturer is important to me, I like to buy direct:
Fiberglass parts:
http://www.acivette.com/
Seat and door trim:
http://www.alknochinteriors.com/
Exhaust:
http://www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com/
http://www.stainlessworks.net/cart/index.php
Cooling system:
http://www.dewitts.com/index.asp
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Do your research. The best vendor is the one that has the part you need, when you want it, at the best price, and always take the cost of shipping in to account, as vendors shipping policies vary as much as the parts selection and prices. A starter list, but don't limit yourself to just the following:Dr. Rebuild
Corvette Central
Zip Products
Paragon Reproductions
Ecklers
Corvette America
The Last Detail
Willcox
Al Knoch
Keen's
Mid America
Van Steel
VBP
I have used almost all of the above vendors and others as well with fairly high levels of satisfaction. There will also be one or more people on the forum who have had a bad experience with at least one of these vendors.
Happy Parts hunting and
Good Luck
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 382
Likes: 24
From: Uxbridge Ontario
I have gotten great service out of Corvette Central for my C3 they can get it to me in Canada in about 3 days. Ecklers takes about 7 days but good service to. ZIP had a bad experience so won't be using them again unless I really need to.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
depends on what you need
as an example:
i needed the heater control valve for my car,
the corvette specific places/catalogs wanted $25-$30
plus S&H and i bought one at the local auto parts store
for $14.49 plus tax.
couldnt tell it apart from the one in the catalogs or online and it works perfectly.
on the flipside though you will find corvette specific items that can only be bought through the catalogs.
i guess the main thing im saying is do your homework
before you jump on the first part you find
as an example:
i needed the heater control valve for my car,
the corvette specific places/catalogs wanted $25-$30
plus S&H and i bought one at the local auto parts store
for $14.49 plus tax.
couldnt tell it apart from the one in the catalogs or online and it works perfectly.
on the flipside though you will find corvette specific items that can only be bought through the catalogs.
i guess the main thing im saying is do your homework
before you jump on the first part you find
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
Wow... you guys are fast! Thanks for all the input. Hopefully, I don't need all that many parts :-) It sure is nice to have all you guys as "expert" advice. You'll be seeing more of my questions over the next couple of months as I take care of a few minor "issues."
Mark
Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Zip and Paragon have always treated me right on repop parts.
VB&P and Van Steel are great for suspension/brake upgrade and repair parts.
For used stuff, I check eBay or call Gary Gruhala.
VB&P and Van Steel are great for suspension/brake upgrade and repair parts.
For used stuff, I check eBay or call Gary Gruhala.
