front clip fiberglass replacement???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
front clip fiberglass replacement???
so as I am sure many of you know I wrecked my 72 tuesday, my birthday, and now I need info and help on replacement for the entire front clip. My question is that on searching for parts I see that you can buy a complete front clip or you can piece together everything like fromm the factory.... what the difference and what are the pros and cons........
my car: stock 1972 coupe, I plan on having it forever... I am not concerned on originality that much as I am overall looks and quality...
resale is not an issue b/c I am not selling her, period.
Sully
my car: stock 1972 coupe, I plan on having it forever... I am not concerned on originality that much as I am overall looks and quality...
resale is not an issue b/c I am not selling her, period.
Sully
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
It depends on what you need. If you need everything it's cheaper to get the whole front end. Have you looked at the one piece frontend? Instead of just the hood opening the whole frontend opens. Also check C3 parts for sale here in the forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
If you want a front end that will maintain your Vettes value, buy one from Corvette Image that is a correct replacement. If you want to save $1200-1500 buy a cheap chopper gun front end form any of the clowns that make them,
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Buy any or all of the fiberlgass How-To books and take a look at what you are getting into. I can recommend the Glas-Ra series. http://www.glas-ra.com/v3_4.html Get both volumes. Eckler's How To book is also pretty good, but I heard a blurb somewhere about it being out of print.
A one piece front end saves time and labor but is not original. Original panels are the way to go for future resale purposes, but require individual fitting and alignment before bonding.
Don't do more than you have to do. No sense installing an entire doghouse if you only need a fender or an upper surround panel.
Don't start pulling off original panels until you are certain what has to be replaced and what can stay. Use the diagrams in the AIM to locate the original bonding areas.
Most of the panels on the '72s were press molded. Replacement parts might be press molded or SMC. Your choice, but if you go with SMC, you will need a bonding adhesive compatible with both types of panels.
You get what you pay for. My advice would be not to scimp on fiberglass. Buy quality parts from the major providers.
A one piece front end saves time and labor but is not original. Original panels are the way to go for future resale purposes, but require individual fitting and alignment before bonding.
Don't do more than you have to do. No sense installing an entire doghouse if you only need a fender or an upper surround panel.
Don't start pulling off original panels until you are certain what has to be replaced and what can stay. Use the diagrams in the AIM to locate the original bonding areas.
Most of the panels on the '72s were press molded. Replacement parts might be press molded or SMC. Your choice, but if you go with SMC, you will need a bonding adhesive compatible with both types of panels.
You get what you pay for. My advice would be not to scimp on fiberglass. Buy quality parts from the major providers.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Sep 6, 2007 at 01:08 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
One piece front ends are cheaper and easier to install. For originality and resale (you say now that you don't care), you need a bonded assembly. Some manufacturers sell a jig built bonded assembly ready to put on your car, just like the one piece. Look for $2k and up prices on the jig assembled front end, and good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Roskilde
Got my $3200 front end from Corvettecentral, description reads:
Includes
*Header Bar
*Nose Bar
*Inner Skirts
Assembled front ends included header bar with bonding strip, headlight end plates, inner skirts and seals, correct rivets, and correct bonding adhesive. Pre-assembled front ends come in correct factory fiberglass colors.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 207
From: Loveland, CO
I think the jig-assembled units from Corvette Image will run you about $4000. The Ecklers and others can be had for about $1200.
I used the Corvette Image version on my '69, but I wanted to do it right.
Ralph.
I used the Corvette Image version on my '69, but I wanted to do it right.
Ralph.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
My 79 Was one of many1000's of L-82's So I was not worried about NCRS value. I had the front end done with light weight fiberglass. Yours is worth keeping
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
