Which vendor do you recommend?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 31
From: Little Egg Harbor N.J.
Which vendor do you recommend?
Which Corvette restoration parts supplier has the best parts and prices? I have catalogs from Eckler's, Corvette America and Year One. I noticed that the guys from "Dream Car Garage" used Paragon for their parts when they restored that '69 L88 convertible.
So, in your opinion, who has the most correct parts for the best prices?
No need to limit your reply to the above mentioned vendors; if there's someone better please let me know.
So, in your opinion, who has the most correct parts for the best prices?
No need to limit your reply to the above mentioned vendors; if there's someone better please let me know.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Jim has it right. Different vendors for different parts.
That said, in general I favor Ecklers. I like the way their search function works, I like the pictures on their pages, and I like the way they recommend related parts. I should also say that I've never had a problem with them.
I also like Corvette Central, although because I'm in Michigan I have to pay sales tax which generally makes them a little more expensive than Ecklers.
For brakes and suspension I go direct to VBandP. I got wise to them when I ordered calipers from Ecklers and they arrived in a VBandP box - sorry Ecklers.
That said, in general I favor Ecklers. I like the way their search function works, I like the pictures on their pages, and I like the way they recommend related parts. I should also say that I've never had a problem with them.
I also like Corvette Central, although because I'm in Michigan I have to pay sales tax which generally makes them a little more expensive than Ecklers.
For brakes and suspension I go direct to VBandP. I got wise to them when I ordered calipers from Ecklers and they arrived in a VBandP box - sorry Ecklers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by luerja
there is no one stop shopping.... you have to buy a little here and a little there.
search around for your best deal.
Jim
search around for your best deal.
Jim
Also, not one vendor sells all parts...so you will be ordering some from everyone.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I like to buy locally whenever possible. Being from Knoxville, I do a lot of business with Volunteer Vette. Brian and Adam know their Vette parts and cars, they care about their customers and they have given me excellent service, discounts and availablity. I have used other sources with equal success when they could not help me. Even the local GM Dealers have given me good service.
Bernie
Bernie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
First of all, you can bet that the folks at Paragon are either giving free parts to the guys at Dream Car Garage to obtain some thinly veiled advertising or they are outright paying them for the privelege. I have purchased from Mid America (not that great and they also feature on Dream Car Garage), Zip Corvette (decent prices, quality, but so-so service), Dr. Rebuild (outdated website, shabby catalog but great prices and quality) and most recently Corvette Central (great prices, great catalog, and great service).I also found the best deal on weatherstripping at Corvette Rubber. And for anything that's not Corvette-specific, I use the Grand Poobah of speed shops, SUMMIT RACING!!! This from a self-proclaimed Cheap Bastard.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
I tend to only deal with the vendors that sell PARTS, not parts and every type of doo-dad, clothing, jewery, etc.
I use Paragon, LICS, and Dr. Rebuild for 95% of all my parts on my C2 and C3. LICS doesn't sell C3 parts so for the C3 it's Paragon and Dr. Rebuild.
prices will vary between them all - on some parts vendor A has a better price and on other parts vendor B has a better price. It tends to average out on large orders though and I find if I need a lot of parts it's easier to try to order all I need at any given time from a single vendor - saves on shipping costs and easier to keep track if any parts are backordered where I'm waiting on them from.
As for the most "correct" parts - typically Dr. Rebuild has the best, most "correct" reproduction parts and he also has a lot of NOS parts
I use Paragon, LICS, and Dr. Rebuild for 95% of all my parts on my C2 and C3. LICS doesn't sell C3 parts so for the C3 it's Paragon and Dr. Rebuild.
prices will vary between them all - on some parts vendor A has a better price and on other parts vendor B has a better price. It tends to average out on large orders though and I find if I need a lot of parts it's easier to try to order all I need at any given time from a single vendor - saves on shipping costs and easier to keep track if any parts are backordered where I'm waiting on them from.
As for the most "correct" parts - typically Dr. Rebuild has the best, most "correct" reproduction parts and he also has a lot of NOS parts
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
I favor Paragon so far. And whenever possible I'll deal direct with a manufacturer and bypass the Vette parts places. I have not bought a lot of Vette parts yet, but with previous muscle car projects where I had large orders, I would call to 3 or 4 of the Camaro places for example and tell them I have a large order that multiple parts places will be quoting on and I'll buy from the cheapest place. Then I would fax them my order list and wait for the reply. It works very well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 5
From: the land of a never ending frame-off resto-mod. May Visa have mercy on my soul.
For suspension parts and service I use VanSteel. Doc rebuild for hard to find and high quality specialty parts, Wilcox for interior and a lot of other parts.They have great prices and service. I use the Ecklers and Mid America catalogs for parts and comparisons and then call around. Bairs is another good source. You really need to shop around. I needed a chin spoiler for my 80 Ecklers and MA wanted 199.00 Wilcox had it for 89.00!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Paragon Reproductions and Dr. Rebuild. Both top notch in my book. Plus, Paragon has a ton of used stuff if you want to go that route.
For emblems and such - The Last Detail.
For the friendliest service this side of the Mississippi - Volunteer Products (http://www.volvette.com/)
Gary
For emblems and such - The Last Detail.
For the friendliest service this side of the Mississippi - Volunteer Products (http://www.volvette.com/)
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by GaryS
For the friendliest service this side of the Mississippi - Volunteer Products (http://www.volvette.com/)
Gary
Gary
Thier pricing is like everyone elses - some are the same, some parts are less expensive, and other parts are a bit more - but on a large order it would avaerage out like from any other place.
Based on the one order I placed with them and their friendliness and helpfulness on the phone I would use them again in the future.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 540
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '09, '24
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
I like to buy locally whenever possible. Being from Knoxville, I do a lot of business with Volunteer Vette. Brian and Adam know their Vette parts and cars, they care about their customers and they have given me excellent service, discounts and availablity. I have used other sources with equal success when they could not help me. Even the local GM Dealers have given me good service.
Bernie
Bernie
These guys do know their business. Also for those hard to find pieces try Mike at America's Finest Corvette in Ramona Ca. Has great deals on repop seat belts now for most year C3s, houstonvett
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
You do have to shop around ... no one place has it all. I never get internal motor stuff from any vette place. For the other vette stuff ... I've gotten good parts, prices & service from The Last Detail in Atlanta. http://www.tld-corvette.com/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
GM first, they still carry a lot of parts for C3.
After that, Dr Rebuild. He has a great selection and a great catalog with illustrations. Prices are very reasonable. Quality is great.
For correct reproductions, Paragon.
For wiring harnesses and carpet, The Last Detail. Hard to beat their prices on 'Lectric Limited harnesses and ACC carpet.
If I can't get it from them, then Corvette Central. Used to buy a lot from Chicago Corvette, but they were very rude to me on the phone. No problems with their parts though.
After that, Dr Rebuild. He has a great selection and a great catalog with illustrations. Prices are very reasonable. Quality is great.
For correct reproductions, Paragon.
For wiring harnesses and carpet, The Last Detail. Hard to beat their prices on 'Lectric Limited harnesses and ACC carpet.
If I can't get it from them, then Corvette Central. Used to buy a lot from Chicago Corvette, but they were very rude to me on the phone. No problems with their parts though.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Conte's Corvettes
851 W. Wheat Road
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-692-0087 fax 856-692-1009
corvettes@contes.com
http://www.contes.com/mainpage.htm
851 W. Wheat Road
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-692-0087 fax 856-692-1009
corvettes@contes.com
http://www.contes.com/mainpage.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Originally Posted by mirrorfinishman
Conte's Corvettes
851 W. Wheat Road
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-692-0087 fax 856-692-1009
corvettes@contes.com
http://www.contes.com/mainpage.htm
851 W. Wheat Road
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-692-0087 fax 856-692-1009
corvettes@contes.com
http://www.contes.com/mainpage.htm
Dave,I also get parts from zip products too very fast shipping to jersey.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: Lewisville TX
Originally Posted by birdsmith
First of all, you can bet that the folks at Paragon are either giving free parts to the guys at Dream Car Garage to obtain some thinly veiled advertising or they are outright paying them for the privelege. I have purchased from Mid America (not that great and they also feature on Dream Car Garage), Zip Corvette (decent prices, quality, but so-so service), Dr. Rebuild (outdated website, shabby catalog but great prices and quality) and most recently Corvette Central (great prices, great catalog, and great service).I also found the best deal on weatherstripping at Corvette Rubber. And for anything that's not Corvette-specific, I use the Grand Poobah of speed shops, SUMMIT RACING!!! This from a self-proclaimed Cheap Bastard.
I buy most of my stuff from Rik's http://www.riksvet.com/ Same parts, lower prices!