C3 sidepipes and covers
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
C3 sidepipes and covers
I have a '74 L82 roadster that I bought over 30 years ago and the owners had purchased sidepipes, installed them and then didn't like the look 
so switched back to the mufflers and side trim pieces. I inherited them in the purchase 
and when the original mufflers went, I put them on, and btw love the look. They are stock original to the car, just this particular car did not come with them. I am trying to get a value on them and want to know where I might find such information, if someone could direct me there, I would appreciate it.
so switched back to the mufflers and side trim pieces. I inherited them in the purchase and when the original mufflers went, I put them on, and btw love the look. They are stock original to the car, just this particular car did not come with them. I am trying to get a value on them and want to know where I might find such information, if someone could direct me there, I would appreciate it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi FY,
You might want to go to the Paragon Reproduction site and look at the price of new covers and pipes. That'll give you a start.
There are very reasonably priced pipes/mufflers available. So the value of used pipes isn't that great…. unless they were bought in 69 or very early 70's from a Chevrolet dealer.
There are 2 things to consider with the covers… the condition of the 'insulators' that the chrome pieces attach to, and the condition of the chrome itself.
The insulators are difficult to repair if damaged so have value themselves.
The shields CAN be re-plated, but that's expensive…. generally close to the cost of the new Paragon pieces.
Some pictures of your pipes and covers would help folks give you some idea of the value of what you have.
Regards,
Alan
You might want to go to the Paragon Reproduction site and look at the price of new covers and pipes. That'll give you a start.
There are very reasonably priced pipes/mufflers available. So the value of used pipes isn't that great…. unless they were bought in 69 or very early 70's from a Chevrolet dealer.
There are 2 things to consider with the covers… the condition of the 'insulators' that the chrome pieces attach to, and the condition of the chrome itself.
The insulators are difficult to repair if damaged so have value themselves.
The shields CAN be re-plated, but that's expensive…. generally close to the cost of the new Paragon pieces.
Some pictures of your pipes and covers would help folks give you some idea of the value of what you have.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 7, 2016 at 12:54 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,280
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
Only the 69 was available with side exhaust, and after early December 1968 production.
It was quite popular with about 4350 cars having them as an option.
Many GM sets were sold over the counter, and as aftermarket parts, in the following years since they fit many subsequent years.
Regards,
Alan
Only the 69 was available with side exhaust, and after early December 1968 production.
It was quite popular with about 4350 cars having them as an option.
Many GM sets were sold over the counter, and as aftermarket parts, in the following years since they fit many subsequent years.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 7, 2016 at 05:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Well ya learn something new every day! LOL I should have said that they are like the ones on the early C3's. They are like the stock ones on '69's I know for certain. I had a 73 that also had these exact sidepipes on so I just assumed they also were available on those years, the early 70's. Sorry.. but I don't have an pictures at the moment. But thank you for the information. I have done research on the ones you can buy now though. Was just curious as I have seen some for sale, not that I am planning on removing them and selling them, just wondered if it adds value to the car 
HOWEVER.. since I am a stock original type person, and I do have the original trim pieces, just may HAVE to some day convert back to the way it was. LOL
HOWEVER.. since I am a stock original type person, and I do have the original trim pieces, just may HAVE to some day convert back to the way it was. LOL
Last edited by Forever Young; Jun 8, 2016 at 03:13 PM.
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