Parts Availability
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 220
Likes: 35
From: NH
Parts Availability
Thinking about purchasing an ‘88 Anniversary Edition as a project car. Most of what’s needed to restore it to new condition are things like window/door gaskets, some of the hard plastic trim in the back, maybe seat covers, carpet, engine compartment trim, etc. How easily accessible are most of these parts? Are they orderable from Chevy?
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 441
From: Albuquerque NM
These cars are popular enough and were produced in a large enough quantity that to this day the vast majority of parts are available for replacement. Occasionally there are little odds and ends where there are no replacements available, but overall these are exceptions to the general rule.
A quick Google search "1988 corvette carpet" or "1988 corvette door weatherstrip" or "1988 corvette interior plastic trim" should yield good results!
A quick Google search "1988 corvette carpet" or "1988 corvette door weatherstrip" or "1988 corvette interior plastic trim" should yield good results!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Louisville Kentucky
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Thinking about purchasing an ‘88 Anniversary Edition as a project car. Most of what’s needed to restore it to new condition are things like window/door gaskets, some of the hard plastic trim in the back, maybe seat covers, carpet, engine compartment trim, etc. How easily accessible are most of these parts? Are they orderable from Chevy?
Thanks
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 449
From: NJ
Aside from some minor details (e.g.- LT1 fuel rail cover emblems and such), all of the parts categories you mentioned are readily available from many vendors. Al Knoch, Midamerica Corvette, Corvette Central, Eckler’s, and many others carry a full array of all those things. Many of them also offer rebuild services such as gauge cluster service, seat trans rebuild, etc. If you look hard enough, you can find NOS and salvage OEM GM and AC Delco parts on the forum, eBay, and there are a few corvette salvage companies out there. For example, I could not find a rear hatch ajar switch for my car when it literally fell apart. I found the AC Delco part number and searched it. I forked out like $65 to have it shipped from a guy in Canada, but I found it on eBay and it was a brand new in-box original part. Some parts, like my oil temp sensor/sender came from NAPA. Bottom line is, get your project car and enjoy it. 90% are an online catalog away.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 449
From: NJ
Doubtful you will be able to find any new OEM GM parts for your 34 year old car. You might find some new old stock parts, buts that's a tough order now days. My best advise is try to "restore" the parts you have as much as possible. You will find "Officially Licensed GM Parts" online but beware these parts are reproductions and you will quickly see the fit and finish is not nearly as good as OEM. Some parts are better than others, it's a roll of the dice!
Many things can be rebuilt/restored and when done right will be better than some replacements. No matter what you’re doing, always ask on here because someone has been there and done that, and can recommend a particular company, brand, or method for restoration. That’s what this place is for. And yeah, you might get lucky and find some NOS stuff here and there but GM cut manufacturing most parts for these cars at the 8-10 year mark. You just have to find the guy with that 25 year old new part sitting on a shelf. 
