Whats the best place to get new affordable parts for corvettes?
Thanks

 

Your local parts store will have a lot of stuff right on the shelf. I also get stuff from one of our forum members, Willcox Corvette. I compare what it cost there to a couple online sources and so far thay have always had the better price, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot. If you cant find something on thier site just call and they will get it to you.

 

Affordable Vette parts = Chinese junk. I'm just making a point that you shouldn't purchase parts for your car strictly on cost. Years ago you could do that, but not since the 'gypo' outfits began cranking out cheap junk in China and Mexico. You have to know what you are buying. This is particularly important when you are needing to replace structural or high-stress parts...like steering components, brake items, and engine [internal] parts. The difference is in the formulation of the metal and in how the parts are heat-treated. Those are not 'cheap' processes and if that isn't done right, the 'junk' just wears out really, really soon.

Most Corvette parts places sell at least two levels of parts: JUNK -- the cheap stuff they have to buy to stay in business (for those idiots who buy strictly on cost); GOOD quality -- affordable parts that last and function as you would expect; and sometimes, PRIMO -- heavy duty, top quality parts that are better than stock. Wherever you buy parts, ask for the options and who makes them...and where they are made. Then make an informed choice on what you buy. You can always call NAPA and ask for their options and prices; then use that info to compare to other vendors. Unless it is a "cosmetic only" part, don't buy the cheap stuff.

 

Hi AMF,
I think it's a good idea to get catalogs from 4 or 5 of the larger vendors. Then you can check availability and price in those and compare to the on-line vendors.
Regards,
Alan

 

Salvage yards are a good source for reasonable parts as well as posting your part needs in the parts section here on the forum. I've gotten some very good deals here.

 

is ecklers.com a good place or parts?

 

try willcoxcorvette.com... or give them a call and they will be happy to help you out with anything. They are typically a few dollars cheaper for the same thing as Ecklers or ZIP and they have great customer service.

 

Rock Auto, I get the parts in at least two to three days. Corvette America also is very fast and prices not bad.

 

I would start at the Chevy dealer. "keep your GM car all GM". They still have lots of C3 parts. After that Dr Rebuild, Wilcox, Paragon, Corvette Central. There are others.

 

"affordable parts "----------that's an oxymoron

 

the bottom line is what parts are you looking for. are you looking to put original or original replacement (not chinese junk) parts back into your car?? a great source of restoration type parts is doc rebuild. there are many great salvage companies that specialize in corvettes. i had a lot of luck with glenn at corvette cosmetics. he is up your way in southern nj. his number is 609 268 2288. he provides OEM parts whenever he can find them for you, and good salvage when he can find those.

art's corvette in ft lauderdale florida is also a good source (although no where near as complete a provider as doc rebuild or many of the major parts suppliers). my personal opinion is to avoid ecklers like the plague unless they are the only ones in the world with the part you must have. that is just my opinion based upon my experiences with them in the past. paragon, vol vette, bair's, mid america and corvette america are just a couple of places that are reliable. if wilcox has your parts, i would use them second behind doc rebuild (again, just my opinion).