Just getting started
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Just getting started
Just recently purchased my first Vette, 1987 coupe. Looking to start cleaning it up and restoring it. Has anyone had any luck purchasing through any of these after market magazines or sites (ecklers, corvette america, corvette mods, etc)? I've seen mixed reviews about all these sites. Specifically looking for a glass targa top, interior door panels, seats...Could anyone point me in the right direction or am I at the mercy of scouring ebay and forums for parts to pop up?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 1,214
From: Fredonia WI
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
I would encourage you to scour the "for sale" section here on CF.
I would discourage you (strongly) from CorvetteMods
Other than that, I've had good luck with the major catalog companies, including MidAmerica.
I would discourage you (strongly) from CorvetteMods
Other than that, I've had good luck with the major catalog companies, including MidAmerica.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 767
Likes: 95
From: Central Pennsylvania
I’ve used Corvette America ( about a 45 min drive for me) and Ecklers, plus the FS section here on CF. No issues with any of the vendors or CF members. I currently own 4 C4’s and the biggest problem is juggling them in and out of the garage and my storage spaces.
I pick up a lot of parts, etc at Corvettes at Carlisle and the Hershey AACA Fall Meet every year,
I pick up a lot of parts, etc at Corvettes at Carlisle and the Hershey AACA Fall Meet every year,
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,579
Likes: 5,587
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
My choice, and had good luck with"
Mid America
Corvette Central
Corvette America
They all have catalogs, so get on there mailing list.
Stay away from:
Corvette Mods
Ecklers
Mid America
Corvette Central
Corvette America
They all have catalogs, so get on there mailing list.
Stay away from:
Corvette Mods
Ecklers
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
As far as door panels you probably want to look in the for sale or some of the corvette salvage yards. My 92 needed them replaced. I spent $350 for a set from vette2vette and they were in perfect condition. I couldn't by one repro for that price.
Of course you can also post a wanted to buy (WTB) in the for sale section.
Of course you can also post a wanted to buy (WTB) in the for sale section.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 320
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Welcome to the '87 Owners!
I prefer to get as much as I can from Rockauto. After that, shop around as others mentioned, but keep in mind CF For Sale, there are plenty of folks parting out C4s. Another option is buying another C4 for parts yourself, may save some money on the pieces you need or even make a few dollars selling parts yourself!
I prefer to get as much as I can from Rockauto. After that, shop around as others mentioned, but keep in mind CF For Sale, there are plenty of folks parting out C4s. Another option is buying another C4 for parts yourself, may save some money on the pieces you need or even make a few dollars selling parts yourself!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 161
Likes: 52
From: Tickfaw, Louisiana
I am an automotive upholsterer and I too recently bought a '87 vette vert.
I have performed work on several cars, including 80-90's vettes
Be careful of the plastics on the door panels and console.
They are fine, until you go to reinstall the power switches.
It is just old plastics - the mounting points for the screws just crack apart
When I work on mine, I will buy new ones.
I recently bought some door panels and seat foam and covers from Ecklers for a customer.
When they arrived - they were still in the Corvette America boxes.
I got a better deal in shipping from Ecklers - even though Ecklers evidently buys them from Corvette America
The door panels are beautifully new - fit fine. They do not come with the speaker hole cut.
The seat foam and covers - still tweaking to get them to fit just right.
I have bought some little stuff from Corvette Mods - no problems as of yet.
I have performed work on several cars, including 80-90's vettes
Be careful of the plastics on the door panels and console.
They are fine, until you go to reinstall the power switches.
It is just old plastics - the mounting points for the screws just crack apart
When I work on mine, I will buy new ones.
I recently bought some door panels and seat foam and covers from Ecklers for a customer.
When they arrived - they were still in the Corvette America boxes.
I got a better deal in shipping from Ecklers - even though Ecklers evidently buys them from Corvette America
The door panels are beautifully new - fit fine. They do not come with the speaker hole cut.
The seat foam and covers - still tweaking to get them to fit just right.
I have bought some little stuff from Corvette Mods - no problems as of yet.