I was chatting with one of the other managers at my job that has an 08Z and telling her about how some of the C5 parts are becoming harder and harder to find(she also has a 2003 coupe), and she mentioned that she thought it was possible to contact the Museum or factory since they are supposed to retain original molds. I didn't argue as I wasn't sure but, never heard of that before. Figured I would ask here if you guys may have heard this and know if that is possible or not.

-Alex

 

Chevy has deserted The C5 vet owners. Everyday more and more parts are discontinued. The company is no longer guided by stock holders but by the union. Eventually after market suppliers will fill some of the gaps. This will be the last corvette I buy. It's been good for 12 years and may not give me major trouble hopefully. As for the comment about Chevy having to keep molds or parts, I don't think there any requirements past 10 years.

 

Wouldn't count on Chevy coming through for C5 owners and I really doubt the museum would keep all the molds. I too think we are going to have to count on the aftermarket to step in and supply any discontinued parts.

 

Thankfully, the aftermarket industry seems to have a pretty good track record for keeping our precious cars on the road and show circuits.

However, it does seem that electronic parts are among the last ones to start being reproduced. Especially the complex ones.

I just hope that by the time I need an EBCM, someone is making reasonably priced new ones. It would be just my luck to pay $2K for a used one and have it go out in short order!!

DSTURBD

 

Yeah this issue really has me thinking if I want to make anymore "investments" into this car. I know for interior/body work, there are places that can custom make things but, not really wanting to go that route especially if something like an EBCM goes out then there is no choice but to just live without having it

-Alex

 

First off this has "NOTHING" to do with labor or Shareholders. It has to do with what the government requires. Currently the mandate is 'ONE YEAR' That is the only law about stocking parts for any make or models. Doesn't matter if it's foreign or domestic manufacture, makes no difference. BUT, most every dealer will stock a good stockpile of parts for a particular brand or model or models for five years and then everything goes back to the warehouse. Now that doesn't mean the warehouse gets rid of them, but rather they just don't order any particular part anymore.

But you can take a particular model like the 190-95 Corvette ZR-1. Parts for these girls were depleted long ago, but you still can get parts. It's like owing a old Ford Flathead V8. You'd think there's absolutely no chance of getting parts for , but SEMA and all of the aftermarket has vendors who either have it or can find or fix whatever your problem in. You can still get an original looking oil pressure switch and so long as you don't have a problem with it coming from Mexico or China then your in luck. Where ever there is a market, there will be a source.

 

So if I were looking for an rumored discontinued part such as the rocker panels, where would one find one of those?

-Alex

 

Ebay ?

 

This makes me wonder, could someone provide a list of parts that should be stocked up on now? I plan on keeping my C5 for another 10 years easily so I wonder what parts I should get now.

 

Just did a quick search there, a few results do turn up. But what about when those go away?

Would be nice if there was a vendor here that would just make molds of original parts because, I am betting there are tons of people in this crowd that want to keep these cars for a long time. Me being one of them.

-Alex

 

As sweet, tight, and trouble-free as both of my'99s have been, I definitely plan on keeping this one forever!!!!

Unless........I win the lottery and the C7 comes out looking just like the Stingray concept car!!!!! In that case though, I would just add to, and not replace my '99!!

I know......niether of those things will happen until pigs fly.

DSTURBD

 

Your are right. I am not worried at all. You can rebuild a C-1
from the ground up with after market parts. And they are
better than OEM mostly. The C-5 will be the same way get use
to the idea that we have old cars. I have.

 

You are right. I am not worried at all. You can rebuild a C-1
from the ground up with after market parts. And they are
better than OEM mostly. The C-5 will be the same way get use
to the idea that we have old cars. I have.

 

I do not understand why this is even an issue with C5 owners. It comes down to supply and demand. If the demand is there, you can be rest assured that there will be aftermarket parts or fixes.

 

There are several Corvette Only recycling yards in the US. Most all parts are avaialble from them used and in good condition. I have several friends that have used Corvette Recyclers with very good results.

 

This is not exactly true, nor new. When I bought my first 62 in 74, a majority of the parts were discontinued by GM. That's the same interval as parts for a 2000 discontinued now. GM needs to try to turn a profit, and they can't do that by stockpiling parts in case some one some day might need them.
(a

 

Seems like I read somewhere that it is 10yrs by law, after that
they don't "have to"...

Peace
Chip

 

 

it has more to do with shareholders than govt requirements even though neither one is quite on the money. each auto maker has their own policy on how long they provide replacement parts. there are people who make the decision to continue to provide or discontinue parts for any given car. gm just has a habit of liquidating at 10 years. they did on the c4 and there is no reason to think the c5 will be any different. the c5 is going to be 2 generations old as well as 10 years in 2014. now back to why i said it had more to do with shareholders. it has to be a profit to square foot thing. the sheer volume of parts versus how many they sell, i would imagine they just figure 10 years from the last model is a decent life. that said not every car maker is this way. acura is one of the better and they still are selling a complete parts list for cars made in the early 90s. this is one thing i wish GM would take a lesson from. brand loyalty is built by excellent customer service. c4 prices didn't fall off a cliff until the parts were both liquidated in 2005-2006 and the c6 was released. one can only wonder if the c5 will play out the same way

 

I have been in C5's for only two years, but what a great car. I have had C2's starting in 1966. Up until two years ago when I sold my last '66, every time I needed a part I found it. I have no reason to be leave that the '01Z06 will not be the same. Some one will fill the need.