Poor A-pillar trim fit.....
Thread Starter
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,093
Likes: 4,017
From: New Braunfels Texas
Poor A-pillar trim fit.....
I have purchased some A-pillar trim from Corvette Central and the fit is awful....it does not hug well around the windshield frame and leaves much exposed looking at it.....
Anyone else experiencing this?
Car is a 72'.....
Jebby
Anyone else experiencing this?
Car is a 72'.....
Jebby
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 695
Likes: 55
From: Palm Desert California
Yes same problem with my '73 passenger side. I believe I purchased mine from Wilcox and I don't believe it matters where you purchase them ,
I think they are all the same, and what I call the 1st generation Velcro snaps don't even come close to snapping together.
I think they are all the same, and what I call the 1st generation Velcro snaps don't even come close to snapping together.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 1,192
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Many reproduction parts seem to need a little work.
I had to heat mine up and shape them better to the pillars.
Be careful with a heat gun as they will easily get too hot.
The piece that goes between the tops needed to Be reshaped at the rear to fit the original halo panels properly.
Seems that's just normal practice, some are much better than others.
I had to heat mine up and shape them better to the pillars.
Be careful with a heat gun as they will easily get too hot.
The piece that goes between the tops needed to Be reshaped at the rear to fit the original halo panels properly.
Seems that's just normal practice, some are much better than others.
Last edited by CraigH; Jan 16, 2017 at 05:47 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
The factory A-pillars are NOT straight; there is a slight bow in them. That's why the after-market pillars will not fit well. Also, the snap connectors (like super-big Velcro pads) are not the same in configuration.
I ended up drilling out the rivets in the repop snap-pads and swapping over the ones from the factory. I also did a little 'massaging' of the pillars to get them to fit. Finally, I had to re-dye them cause the color was off.
I called the vendor about this and discussed all the things that were wrong with them and offered to send them my originals so they could "improve" their product. Bottom line: they couldn't care less.
I no longer buy anything from them.
I ended up drilling out the rivets in the repop snap-pads and swapping over the ones from the factory. I also did a little 'massaging' of the pillars to get them to fit. Finally, I had to re-dye them cause the color was off.
I called the vendor about this and discussed all the things that were wrong with them and offered to send them my originals so they could "improve" their product. Bottom line: they couldn't care less.
I no longer buy anything from them.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jan 17, 2017 at 11:49 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,624
Likes: 3,097
From: Shamong, NJ
Both Corvette America and EC Products make pillar post moldings. I'm not sure if Al Knoch makes his own, or buys them from Corvette America.
Personally I like the CA ones more than EC's, but CA's do seem to have a little more padding, which makes them more difficult to install.
I've found that a little weatherstrip adhesive on each "Velcro" pad, helps keep the moldings in place.
Personally I like the CA ones more than EC's, but CA's do seem to have a little more padding, which makes them more difficult to install.
I've found that a little weatherstrip adhesive on each "Velcro" pad, helps keep the moldings in place.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 6
From: Lebanon Junction KY
I just got a pair from Corvette Central for my 73. Like others the fit is not the best but the biggest thing for me is where the vinyl cover wraps around the edge near the window seal it has been cut off rather than wrapping around like the original. This leaves a small area of the foam backing that you can see when it is installed. I can minimize this by dying that edge that is cut and coloring the foam so it won't stand out.
I am also seriously considering attaching mine with screws as the 78 would be. I might try bending the things a bit first so those plastic fasteners will engage. Since my car is a driver I'm not so concerned with correctness as functionality. I don't know, but it sure is disappointing.
Anybody know how long the attaching screws would be for a 78?
I am also seriously considering attaching mine with screws as the 78 would be. I might try bending the things a bit first so those plastic fasteners will engage. Since my car is a driver I'm not so concerned with correctness as functionality. I don't know, but it sure is disappointing.
Anybody know how long the attaching screws would be for a 78?
Thread Starter
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,093
Likes: 4,017
From: New Braunfels Texas
The heat gun trick will not work as the backing is metal......
I am going to tweak them but quit playing with it for now.......fortunately my windshield frame is perfect and blacked out........leaving them off for now.
Jebby
I am going to tweak them but quit playing with it for now.......fortunately my windshield frame is perfect and blacked out........leaving them off for now.
Jebby
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It's been 10 or 12 years since I redid my interior. I used a mix of different parts from different vendors. I used Corvette America for the A pillars and had them stored for a long while before I discovered the same thing you guys are finding. They flat out suck compared to the stock. I never did get mine to fit like I would like them to. I have basically lost interest in them now. I notice them every time I get in the car. They are so hard to remove just so you can tweak on them. It's been a while since i have messed with them but don't you have to remove the upper dash pad? Probably the main reason I have not reworked them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
I am having the same problem with my 81. One of the rivets was broken off. I think I am just going to drill new holes and make everything fit that way. The metal piece that the rubber strip attaches to is all loose and moves around.
