Need Interior Parts!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 7
From: Charlton, NY
Need Interior Parts!!
Good day all. I'm sure with time spent looking I could find what I'm looking for but I figured I"d ask you fine gentlemen (and Ladies?)
Hands down....who sells the highest quality aftermarket interior parts for our C3's?
Also, where should I go for the highest quality performance equip? The ones I know about are like Summit, Maryland Speed, and general sites like AutoAnything.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks.
Hands down....who sells the highest quality aftermarket interior parts for our C3's?
Also, where should I go for the highest quality performance equip? The ones I know about are like Summit, Maryland Speed, and general sites like AutoAnything.
Any info would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi R73,
This is a question that gets asked quite often.
Many folks feel the 'original parts' are the "highest quality" parts. This is especially true for the 3 dash pads, the shifter and parking brake consoles, and the interior trim pieces. So restoring and re-using what ever original parts you feel you can is a good idea.
There are several manufacturers of seat covers, door panels, and carpet sets, that people use. Folks have their favorites for various reasons.
I like the seat covers and carpet from Al Knock. But as I wrote, there are other options such as Corvette America for instance.
Various vendors sell the interior parts so you need to check with them individually to know whom they're buying from in order to know what you'll be getting and whether the price is 'good'.
Regards,
Alan
This is an example of Al Knock seat covers and carpet.
This is a question that gets asked quite often.
Many folks feel the 'original parts' are the "highest quality" parts. This is especially true for the 3 dash pads, the shifter and parking brake consoles, and the interior trim pieces. So restoring and re-using what ever original parts you feel you can is a good idea.
There are several manufacturers of seat covers, door panels, and carpet sets, that people use. Folks have their favorites for various reasons.
I like the seat covers and carpet from Al Knock. But as I wrote, there are other options such as Corvette America for instance.
Various vendors sell the interior parts so you need to check with them individually to know whom they're buying from in order to know what you'll be getting and whether the price is 'good'.
Regards,
Alan
This is an example of Al Knock seat covers and carpet.
Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 9, 2017 at 09:48 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
That's like asking "Who's the best Doctor".
Some vendors specialize in some parts and other vendors specialize in other parts. And to make it even more confusing some of the same Chinese made repro stuff is sold by all vendors.
Depends on what you're looking for? A lot of times you can source Original or NOS parts on ebay or the Parts For Sale section of the forum.
You should pick up a 73 A.I.M. (Assembly Instruction Manual), this will provide you with all of the original GM part numbers for the car.
As for performance parts, what is your goal? Most "bolt-on" parts aren't going to make much of a difference performance wise. You'll really need to do a proper rebuild with better heads, intake, cam and c/r to see a big HP improvement.
Some vendors specialize in some parts and other vendors specialize in other parts. And to make it even more confusing some of the same Chinese made repro stuff is sold by all vendors.
Depends on what you're looking for? A lot of times you can source Original or NOS parts on ebay or the Parts For Sale section of the forum.
You should pick up a 73 A.I.M. (Assembly Instruction Manual), this will provide you with all of the original GM part numbers for the car.
As for performance parts, what is your goal? Most "bolt-on" parts aren't going to make much of a difference performance wise. You'll really need to do a proper rebuild with better heads, intake, cam and c/r to see a big HP improvement.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
Likes: 294
From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
I have purchased some of this stuff lately and I would have to echo what everyone else has said. For example; I purchased a pair of pillar post trim pieces from Paragon. These pieces connect with the upper windshield trim. I was warned they may or may not be a color match. It ended up being a perfect match for my blue interior on my 72 Targa blue couple. I also bought an instrument bezel because "bubba" had installed an aftermarket radio in my car and had whacked a bigger hole in the original bezel in order to accommodate the radio. The bezel was excellent and you cannot tell it is an aftermarket piece. (Well, Alan could probably tell, but that is another story 
) It was also purchased from Paragon. I bought seat covers and foam from Al Knock which looks pretty good also. I have also purchased some reproduction stuff for under the hood (distributor, wires, etc.) from Paragon which look pretty much spot on. I am getting ready to order new carpet and again I have been warned the color may not match. I understand that the 72 blue interior carpet was a one off deal so no one really makes an exact match. Oh well...
I have had pretty good luck so far, hopefully you will also.
Just get ready to spend some money as this reproduction stuff is not like buying parts from Auto Zone.
) It was also purchased from Paragon. I bought seat covers and foam from Al Knock which looks pretty good also. I have also purchased some reproduction stuff for under the hood (distributor, wires, etc.) from Paragon which look pretty much spot on. I am getting ready to order new carpet and again I have been warned the color may not match. I understand that the 72 blue interior carpet was a one off deal so no one really makes an exact match. Oh well...I have had pretty good luck so far, hopefully you will also.
Just get ready to spend some money as this reproduction stuff is not like buying parts from Auto Zone.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 144
Likes: 9
interior parts
Yeah, what Alan said. I'm in the process of redoing my interior. I salvaged as many of the interior parts as possible. Why?...because I knew they are going to fit perfectly. I did change the color from red to buckskin. I had a local shop take a digital picture of a buckskin sample and purchased a can of dye ($$$), but worth it. My dyed pieces look great, especially the plastic pieces. The soft, padded lower dash pieces look great, but a little worried if the dye will flake off. I had to puirchase the upper dash pad and it looks great and fits nicely too.
So, I suggest to you, save as many of the original parts as possible. Otherwise , I've dealt with CA, Eckler's, and Willcox.
Have fun
Todd
So, I suggest to you, save as many of the original parts as possible. Otherwise , I've dealt with CA, Eckler's, and Willcox.
Have fun
Todd
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Corvettes at Carlisle
If you can wait until the end of August (24-27th), take you list and head on down to Corvettes at Carlisle.
http://www.carlisleevents.com/carlis...e/default.aspx
Most of the biggest vendors will be there and offering show special prices. There will also be lots of NOS pieces available and enough used pieces to build a few Corvettes.
Vendors that don't have what you need will typically offer free shipping on orders as well or like ZIP, coupons good for a few weeks offering an excellent discount on purchases on line. The savings can be substantial.
Good luck... GUSTO
http://www.carlisleevents.com/carlis...e/default.aspx
Most of the biggest vendors will be there and offering show special prices. There will also be lots of NOS pieces available and enough used pieces to build a few Corvettes.
Vendors that don't have what you need will typically offer free shipping on orders as well or like ZIP, coupons good for a few weeks offering an excellent discount on purchases on line. The savings can be substantial.
Good luck... GUSTO
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