1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

[Donald H.]

I'm looking to replace the rocker moldings on my 66 coupe during restoration. I see that Paragon, Corvette Central and others sell a reproductions (imported I believe). I am assuming the fit and finish leaves something to be desired as Paragon has a disclaimer on their website 'Imported rocker moldings do not reflect the high quality that Paragon's parts maintain. Therefore, parts do carry a restock charge if returned for any reason other than damage.'

There is a set of GM NOS on Ebay now that has bid up to $400 and I assume will go higher. I also saw a set sell on the Corvette Forum last week for $475. I was talking to a fellow chapter member and he said that from his experience, the NOS (service replacement) ones were not that great, i.e. the molds most have been getting worn when the last ones were made as the edges and lines were loosing crispness.

I'm looking for anyone who may have recently used the reproduction ones and what your opinion is as to how they fit and how they look.

Thanks,

Don

[Brian T.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

The 66 rockers were still real nice until they were discontinued from GM.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

In the early 1980's I bought a pair of new 66 rockers (GM # 3933847 in Gr. 8.304) from my local dealership. The GM part number for the 1966 rockers in the 1966 AIM and my 1966 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1965) is 3874527. My original 3874527 rockers were buffed smooth at each end while the ribs extended to the ends of the new 3933847 rockets. During that same time I was able to buy a single NOS 3874527 rocker at the Carlisle, PA, swap meet and it identical to my original 1966 rockers with the smooth buffed ends. I never found another NOS 3874527 to make a set.

Do the reproductions have smooth buffed ends like the originals or do the ribs extent to the ends?

GM # 3874527 was replaced with GM # 3933847 in Oct. 1968 as per Chevrolet Parts History.

Dave

[Ronald W.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

I'll make your life easy for now. All the vendors are out of the 66 rocker panel moldings. Nobody expects to have them in until 1st Q 2015. I was told that production was stopped due to poor quality. From what I could decipher from all the double talk and denials it appears that Corvette America has them manufactured and all the other vendors buy from them.

[Donald H.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

In the early 1980's I bought a pair of new 66 rockers (GM # 3933847 in Gr. 8.304) from my local dealership. The GM part number for the 1966 rockers in the 1966 AIM and my 1966 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1965) is 3874527. My original 3874527 rockers were buffed smooth at each end while the ribs extended to the ends of the new 3933847 rockets. During that same time I was able to buy a single NOS 3874527 rocker at the Carlisle, PA, swap meet and it identical to my original 1966 rockers with the smooth buffed ends. I never found another NOS 3874527 to make a set.

Do the reproductions have smooth buffed ends like the originals or do the ribs extent to the ends?

GM # 3874527 was replaced with GM # 3933847 in Oct. 1968 as per Chevrolet Parts History.

Dave

from the pictures, it appears the ribs wrap all the way to the end

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

I can second what Ronald has said.

I spoke to the "expert" at Corvette Central a while back , and he said they stopped selling them due to so many complaints. Hopefully the "new Batch" will be better .

Jim

[Donald H.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

I can second what Ronald has said.

I spoke to the "expert" at Corvette Central a while back , and he said they stopped selling them due to so many complaints. Hopefully the "new Batch" will be better .

Jim

Jim,

Did you also get the sense that Corvette America is the one having them made? If so, I may call and see if they can confirm and if they expect to improve on the quality.

Thanks,

Don

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

As to who makes or made them ,that I don't know .

[Mark S.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

I have a good used original set and a NOS set in the original brown paper/sticky clear warppers in the garage attic. If you want I few photos I will gladly post them along with the NOS part numbers on the wrappers and box.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

Enclosed are 3 photos of the ends of 1966 rockers:

Top photo: the end of one of my original 1966 rockers (GM # 3874527) with "smooth" end (removed about 1979).

Middle photo: the end of one of my NORS 3933847 rockers (early 1980's vintage) with ribbed end (removed recently).

Bottom photo: Orig. 3874527 rocker on left, NORS 3933847 (early 1980's vintage on right).

It appears that the factory that made the rockers ground off the ribs at the ends of the rockers but in later years this step was eliminated.

I sold my single NOS 3874527 rocker with "smooth" ends years ago.

Dave

[Donald H.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

I have a good used original set and a NOS set in the original brown paper/sticky clear warppers in the garage attic. If you want I few photos I will gladly post them along with the NOS part numbers on the wrappers and box.

Mark,

I sent you a PM and an Email with my contact info.

Thanks,

Don Harris

[Donald H.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

The ones I removed from my car have the ribs wrapped all the way, so they must be service replacements.

Don

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

The ones I removed from my car have the ribs wrapped all the way, so they must be service replacements.

Don

Is there anything in the 1966 judging guide about whether or the not the the ends of the 1966 rockers should be smooth or ribbed?

Is there anyone else who still has a set of original 1966 rockers?

Dave

[Donald H.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

Is there anything in the 1966 judging guide about whether or the not the the ends of the 1966 rockers should be smooth or ribbed?

Is there anyone else who still has a set of original 1966 rockers?

Dave

Actually, There is no mention in the text of the judging guide (page 76), however, there is a side picture of the front portion of the rocker molding. You can't see the complete front edge, but it sure looks like the ribs wrap around in the picture.


Don

[David L.]

Re: 1966 Rocker Moldings - anyone used the reproductions?

Actually, There is no mention in the text of the judging guide (page 76), however, there is a side picture of the front portion of the rocker molding. You can't see the complete front edge, but it sure looks like the ribs wrap around in the picture.


Don

Don,

The NORS 1966 rocker moldings (GM # 3933847) were available for many years over the counter and I'm sure that many 1966 owners have replaced their original rocker moldings with these service rockers. I guess that I should have never sold my NOS 1966 rocker molding (GM # 3874527 disc. in Oct. 1968) with the smooth ends. I should have kept it as a museum piece for "show and tell".

I have my doubts that the photo of the rocker molding in the 1966 judging guide is of a factory installed rocker molding. I am also surprised that there is nothing in the 1966 judging manual about the two different ends of the 1966 rocker moldings. I would think that this would be an important detail, but, maybe not.

Dave