I just had the car at Conte's to have their mechanics give the car a "once over". Fortunately for me they gave it a clean bill of health and commented on how original it was; that made me feel good.
Now I just want to redo the interior and spiff the car up a bit since some of the detail items are showing their age.

I appreciate all the responses and will definately look into some of the vendors that were mentioned.

Thanks again.

 

I can tell you who NOT to use--based upon my experience today: Corvette America.

I had a problem with one item I received, which was part of a pretty large overall order. They sent the wrong item, and when I called customer service, I got the rudest, most obnoxious jerk I think I've ever encountered. No exaggeration. He could not have been more curt or less interested in resolving this simple error. He made it very clear from the first moment that he considered the situation an annoyance--and all I was trying to do was politely inquire about exchanging the wrong part for the right one!

Finally, he said he'd have to check on the correct part, and call me back.

Guess what--he never did.

So guess what, Corvette America? With horrible attitude like that from your customer service rep, you've just lost a customer--for good. Too bad; I'm just starting an entire restoration project, and I have another Vette that I also purchase parts for. I hope fellow forum members here are now forewarned...

 

I also had an issue with Corvette America and Zip China parts. Corvette Central has good service people so far, but I like dealing with smaller guys, Volunteer..Brakes, Corvette Engineering...Supension VBP or Summit, Jegs sucks...

 

Corvette Rubber for weatherstrip.
Paragon, Ecklers, Mid-America, tracdogg on the forum (can't think of his shop name), Gruhala Enterprises for various new and used restoration parts.
Van Steel and VB&P for suspension.

 

Thats what I do.A little from ecklers a little from corvette america even a few things from summit.When you need something shop a little for the best price.

 

Bairs. Brian knows his stuff too.
Also done OK with Willcox and Corvette Cental.

 

I'll throw one in for Willcox. I've ordered almost a COMPLETE interior from them. Carpet kit, seat covers and installation kit, door panels, rear compartment, shift ****, arm rest, park brake cover, headliner pads, shift console covers... I created a spreadsheet and compared prices from ALL of the major companies and they seem to be the best priced on EVERYTHING I have bought.

www.willcoxcorvette.com

He's still in the process of adding pictures to the website, so right no some parts do not have pics, but prices and descriptions are there.

 

I think most all of the vendors buy from the same suppliers and/or buy from each other.

I have ordered parts from one vendor and it has a sticker from another vendor on the package. Sometimes the second vendor tries to cover it up - sometimes they don't.

I have been extremely happy will Willcox - www.willcoxcorvette.com
(a supporter of this forum). They are usually cheaper than the other places too.

Check the websites and compare prices. I made a list of parts that I needed and put down prices from different vendors. Willcox beat them or tied them every time.

 

Search for the member named tracdogg2. He's a nice guy and he has good prices. I also have good luck with corvette central.

 

My first choice is Wilcox. If they don't have what I need, then it's Mid-America or Corvette Central.

 

Can anyone comment on the quality of parts from Year One?
I noticed that they had a 10% discount until Jan 1, and I'm thinking about placing an order for my 1970 Corvette and 1967 Camaro.

 

Except I am in FL and have to pay 7% sales tax from Ecklers so I prefer Corvette Central. Have had good luck with Corvette Rubber for weatherdtripping, The Last detail in Atlanta and Wilcox ....for interior parts
Best of luck, Happpy New Year
Mark

 

Another vote for Rik's. Lo-tech catalog, and they aren't going to have everything, but they seem to beat prices from other vendors fairly consistently, for the same stuff.

 

this is a great thread for a 18 day corvette owner now i know some vendors so far i ordered from ecklers and the last detail both shipped quick and i didnt like the last detail website but i recived a nice catalog with my order much more user friendly thanks for all the vendors guys!!!! david

 

I have dealt with a lot of the vendors mentioned here. Best all around experience with major vendors has to be Zip.

 

Zip is local to me, in fact I pass them on the way to work, so I tend to favor them. I've never had a problem with them. I have bought from others also and not really had a bad experience with any of them.

 

Interior: Willcox
Hard to find parts: Ebay or Ecklers
Performance: Summit or Jegs

 

I was just at VB&P in St. Pete, Florida to pick up some brake calipers. The lady that answered the phone was very helpful and tracked down the parts I needed. They have a skeleton crew due to the Holidays...

When I arrived the parts were waiting for me and I got my 10 percent discount!

Loved the experience, and I will be going back soon for more parts...

They're a real class act; very helpful and go the extra mile.

 

Hi, I have had very good experience with Jerry at The Last Detail and with the people at Dr Rebuild, The Corvette Stop, Adams Polish, POR-15, KB Motorsports, Eastwood Auto and for my 72 Chevy truck, Brothers has been good to me.

 

I agree, VB&P, Pattie & Gary are not only knowledgable Corvette people, but the nicest people you'd ever meet. Gary called me just this Morning at home (Wisconsin) to help me with a minor silly problem I was having & HE IS ON VACATION. Products are great, and service is awesome!! Keep it up VB&P.

Also I have delt directly with Mike Yager from MidAmerica, as I emailed him about the fact I kept getting the wrong carpet pc. from them. He called me at work and said they would send me the complete set for both year vettes, take what I need and send back what's left. Come on, the owner calling me and letting me and doing what ever it takes to make me happy, that's service.

Now Ecklers is another story. I ordered a radiator from them, it came in a thin walled cardboard box, with no packing WHAT SO EVER !! Yup, it was dented, they told me that it was UPS's problem and it left their facility in good condition. It may have, but come on, they shipped a delicate radiator cross country with no protective packing. They may have not even ever seen it, it may have come direct from a third party. Any how, they would not do anything, they said ship it back and they would send another one, the same exact way and I pay the shipping. I just wanted them to send a UPS pick up as to have it returned, but no, file a claim with UPS, the Guy was down right rude. I sold & bought elsewhere.