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Old Nov 11, 2013 | 06:17 AM
  #1  
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Default 72 interior parts

Guys,
My car needs a ton of new interior parts like door panels, console, seat covers, rear storage compartment and convertible top. I am looking at the different catalogs and have a few questions:
a) Are these parts all from the same supplier or are they different?
b) Do you need to buy all parts from the same vendor or will they match up vendor to vendor?
c) Who has the best quality?
d) Leather or vinyl seat covers?
This car is a driver not a show piece so originality is not as important to me as durability or functionality.
Kevin
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Old Nov 11, 2013 | 06:24 AM
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Al Knock has the best interior parts in my opinion as well as the top replacement.
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Old Nov 11, 2013 | 08:12 AM
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I would try to buy from one vendor, that way if you have any problems, they will not have to argue about someone else's part being the problem. AND, someone like Willcox has specials and gives a forum discount which may help pay for the freight. don't know where you live, but they may close enough to travel there and see them in person. They even may have package pricing for interior parts bought together.

Get a list together and start calling vendors, but ask who's merchandise they sell and if it is in stock!
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Old Nov 11, 2013 | 08:14 AM
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Chances are most of them are from the same manufacture.
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Old Nov 11, 2013 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by bbcngineer
...Are these parts all from the same supplier or are they different?...
Al Knoch or Corvette America are about your only choices.

...Do you need to buy all parts from the same vendor or will they match up vendor to vendor?...
Purchase from the same vendor.

...Who has the best quality?...
Al Knoch

...Leather or vinyl seat covers?...
Your choice. Leather for 72 also included woodgrain trim on the door panels and console, plush cut carpet, and carpet inserts on the door panels.

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Old Nov 11, 2013 | 12:24 PM
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Unless interior panels are broken or torn beyond repair (door panels and seats get that way on occasion), you can repair/patch your present interior pieces, then recolor them with SEM "ColorCoat" vinyl dye and make them look good as new. And, they will still fit like they should.

Repair and recolor any existing pieces that can be salvaged. The replacements you buy will not be as good...and will likely need to be recolored to match what you have now, anyway.

If you have small cracks/tears in panels, use polyester body filler to fill in the damage and smooth it over. When getting firm, use a toothpick or other method to etch some similar graining into the surface so the repair won't be seen. Recolor the entire panel.
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Old Nov 11, 2013 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil Zell
Al Knock has the best interior parts in my opinion as well as the top replacement.
Originally Posted by lvmyvt76
I would try to buy from one vendor, that way if you have any problems, they will not have to argue about someone else's part being the problem. AND, someone like Willcox has specials and gives a forum discount which may help pay for the freight.
Willcox has Al Knoch parts also!
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Unless interior panels are broken or torn beyond repair (door panels and seats get that way on occasion), you can repair/patch your present interior pieces, then recolor them with SEM "ColorCoat" vinyl dye and make them look good as new. And, they will still fit like they should.

Repair and recolor any existing pieces that can be salvaged. The replacements you buy will not be as good...and will likely need to be recolored to match what you have now, anyway.

If you have small cracks/tears in panels, use polyester body filler to fill in the damage and smooth it over. When getting firm, use a toothpick or other method to etch some similar graining into the surface so the repair won't be seen. Recolor the entire panel.
I never thought of this for my seat covers. It might be worth a try to just replace the foam (every bump reminds me there's no cushion left) and recolor the original seats.
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 01:09 PM
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Griff...

Actually, I DID replace the foam in the seatcover 'channels'. The main body foam piece was fine; but the channel foam had turned to yellow dust, over the years and there was no 'padding' left in them.

Here is a photo of one of the seat backs 'after' re-stuffing the channels with foam.



I have a write-up for the procedure I used, if you are interested. Just send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you.
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by oldgto
Willcox has Al Knoch parts also!
And Al Knoch is the maker of the interiors....thats his only business is in manufacturing Corvette interiors.........well hes expanded to include Firebird and Camaros too

Google Al Knoch and see for yourself
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Old Nov 13, 2013 | 08:18 AM
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I bought my first cat, a 62 Impala SS convert, white with a red interior. The dealer had re-dyed the seats to make it look better, of course, to make more money. Anyway, on one of my first dates with my girlfriend, she was wearing white pants(looked real good!), when she got out, the back of her pants were a light pink color!!! Well she was a wonderful girl and forgave me for the pink colored pants. Just be careful on dying seats, now this was 40+ years ago, they have improved dye by now.


PS:WISH I HAD THE CAR AND THE GIRL TODAY!!!!!!

Last edited by lvmyvt76; Nov 13, 2013 at 08:21 AM.
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Old Nov 13, 2013 | 12:25 PM
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You need to use the right product to recolor interior pieces. And you need to have everything squeaky clean before shooting it.
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