i posted a thread yesterday about my bumper not lining up right with the body, and it finally occured to me that maybe my new bumper is wrong and im really not that stupid, so i took it off and it was pretty clear that nothing on the bumper lines up. it is brand new from paragon resto. has anyone had any experience with these guys, is it common or is my issue just a rare occurance???

 

I always rated Paragon as top rate. Why not give them a call and explain the problem. I'm sure they'll take care of you.

 

Never had a problem with them.

 

.....never had a problem with THEM....

 

You can't blame the company selling you a defective part. They don't make the part, they just sell it. You can only blame the company selling it if they won't make it right.

 

I consider them one of the best vendors out there. Top rate reproduction parts and helpful staff. I'm glad they are right up the road from me. I'm sure they will help if you explain the problem to them.

Have you compared your new bumper with the old to see if they are really that different? It took a lot of messing around with my bumpers to get them right as I was reassembling my car during the restoration--and I was reinstalling my original (just re-plated) bumpers. The bracket adjustments that the bumpers attach to are tricky because there is so much slop built in them.

 

thanks for the replies, im sure theyll make good on it. just wanted to see what you guys have thought of them.

 

Paragon Been to their shop many times. Nice people.

 

I have always had good luck using Paragon also.

 

Paragon, Good People

 

They were a big help for me several times.

 

You are welcome and good luck with the bumper.

 

I believe Paragon is MANUFACTURING the fronts and rears.
Regards,
Alan

 

I used them for my 68 restoration ; no problems.
They don't make the parts , they just sell them.
Call them and perhpas they sent you an incorrect part.
They will take car eof it,
Kurt

 

After weeks of fighting the fan shroud/radiator support, I finally pulled everything out and found out the new radiator support from Ecklers, didn't weld the lower support right. Like you said, at least it not me, I hope! Anybody buy from Ecklers? Tony

 

You mean something like this?

Original vs Paragon Reproduction: Left side




:Right side




I will say this, for the 'most' part they are great to do business with considering other alternatives. However, some stuff is definetly not up to par...but, their customer service will 'usually' meet you half way to correct the problem.

Myself, during the restoration, I sent back:
- Front bumper: see pic's above.
They paid half the shipping fee back. In the return box I enclosed a folder, on it I had traced the bend/curvature of the original bumper as it wraps around the side, and asked if they have any that are very close to that. I was contacted via, I believe it was the VP of Paragon if I remember correctly, and was told they all come out of the same mold so they would all be the same...and 'apparently' all the original bumpers, from 68-73, had different molds and would be hard to have an exact match as the original.

-Rear bumpers: No pic's, but pretty much the same as pics above, had a big gap where it wraps around quarter panel at the tips of the bumper...not even close.

-Bumperettes: Lower screw holes were off about 1/4", no way to attach it without forcing and breaking something.

- Outside door handles: Looked like it was media blasted, then re-chromed, but only the outside of it...as in, when you pushed the handle down, the inside was still rough and looked media blasted still. GM Reproduction...

- Center console: Flimsy plastic, gap at the front started at 1" and at rear was 1 7/8". Was told they could dig through them all but would not find one that was evenly gapped all the way...some quality control there. I paid shipping back.

I'd take my chances on rechroming the original if you have it. Or trace the curveature of the bumper and provide it to the seller before buying and save some time and heartache.

_____________
www.youtube.com/69Stingray427

 

Wow. Paragon has always been the Gold Standard for repro parts. Your list of problems is stunning. Let us know how this turns out.

Richard Newton

How to Restore and Modify Your Corvette, 1968-1982

Ultimate Garage Handbook

 

Glad to hear you found the problem!

 

One more yay for Paragon,a day late.They have always been good with me,contact them I am sure they will work with you.They have been around for a while.Later Geno

 

Paragon does make some parts, I don't know if they manufacture those bumpers or not. I've had good luck ordering from them.