Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

[Irby G.]

Is this quality any different if I were to buy from either of these two for seats,door panels,carpet for my '63 coupe.

[John H.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

Irby -

Al Knoch specializes in interiors, and Eckler's specializes in shirts, jackets, and jewelry; easy choice for me.

[Irby G.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

That's what I kinda thought. Thanks John.

[William L.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

Irby; I have had good luck with Al's stuff. Bill

[Gene M.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

I like Corvette America's stuff much better. Sure wish they made convertible tops.

For carpets go for Auto Custom Carpets.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

The carpet that I ordered for my '66 from Corvette America was drop shipped from Auto Accesories of America in Reedsville, PA. Looks pretty good to me, but hasn't been judged yet. Good luck.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

You seldom hear any complaints about Eckler's except for price. I don't think of them as just a "jacket" vendor like say Mid America, as we are close by in Orlando and they always have what we need in a hurry. They handle a lot of stuff, including a full line of tri 5 parts. They have some good sales too, i.e., I picked up an AFB overhaul kit for about $10. less than anyone else and it was much better quality. My son picked up a set of 78 P.C. polished wheels for much less than anyone else had them for, and they were perfect. They were also in "Corvette America" boxes.

That brings me to a second point about Corvette Parts Houses; many of them share that which each one has had developed. I bought VAC's from both Volunteer and Paragon that were stamped 236, but each checked out as a 201. They both got them from LIC, and that's where they eventually found there way back to. It's like a Virus where if one gets a bad batch they all do.

Al Knoch has never brought anything here to the winter meet that I would buy (again). I have looked at their carpeting and seat covers, and to me they are not right for my 63. I have dark blue, and their products look like black. The grain on the covers was not right either. I made the mistake of buying some of their clear floor mats, only to find out they would work for show only (too flimsy, and no nubs on the bottom). They would be dangerous to use.

So, you pays your money and takes your chances.

Stu Fox

[Dick W.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

Knoch is head and shoulders the best

[Jeremy D.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

Irby -

Al Knoch specializes in interiors, and Eckler's specializes in shirts, jackets, and jewelry; easy choice for me.

I dunno, I have a hard time with an outfit that makes carpets, seat covers AND metal lawn ornaments and steel cows for my front yard. At least the jewery Eckler's has says "Corvette" on it and is GM approved....I doubt Al's cows are. Eckler's will return your phone calls. If I have a problem, Eckler's tech dept. will help me out. Al's answering service seems to be coincidal with how much money you've spent with them. I wanted a pair of '70 seats re-upholstered by Al Knoch at the last Vettefest, which I had out of the car and could have been delivered right to the show, and they told me they were booked solid all weekend. A week later, a buddy called them to see if he could get a new soft top and door panels and a complete carpet set installed in his C2 at the show....his car went in first thing that Saturday morning, and they did it right there. Pick your poison.....Al Knoch is most likely NOT getting any money from me in the future. They make plenty from everyone else....especially on their lawn ornaments.

[Nicholas L.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

14 years ago, not knowing much about the different vendors, I bought door panels for my 1960 from Ecklers. They arrived from Texas in Al Knoch boxes.

[Irby G.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

That's what I was curious about. I've noticed, after buying many parts from all the different parts houses, that they all seem to be buying their parts from basically the same vendors. Just thought as long as I would probably get the same seat covers from one place as the other, might as well get it as cheap as possible.
All the things that I've read about on this site about Knoch was usually positive and, it seemed from what everyone was saying, higher quality that others. Even talked to a lady from Knoch the other day and she said that they had better quality parts than that of Zip and Ecklers.
Are they using the same vendors? Does anyone know if their quality is trully better?

[Joe R.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

OK, I have restrained myself long enough! There are only two vendors that make interiors. I'm leaving out Mid America because they don't fit into quality anything. If you need mats, hats and T-shirts just call Mid America or whatever their name is today.

Al Knock and Corvette America (Auto Accessories) make quality interiors and Auto Custom Carpets used to make quality carpets. That's when it was owned by Jack Holland. That was twenty years ago. Time sure flies when your having fun (or getting old).

Eckler's doesn't make anything remotely resembling interiors. They use as a rule Corvette America and Auto Custom Carpets.

Al Knock makes their own stuff and are responsible for the quality of their interiors including carpet.

Pricing is another issue as Corvette America is priced more economically and will deal with 10% for complete interior orders and 15% on very large orders for stocking more than one complete set. They give dealers very generous discounts for using their products.

That's interiors in a nutshell! That's all there is, gentlemen (and gentle women).

JR

[Hank E.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

JR covers the issue completely.

Only thing I can add is that Al Knock has a tractor trailer volume
presence with installation at the top 12 or so annual Corvette
Shows/Swap meets, and sometimes with "show deals"
And NCRS judges have never made any mention of non originality
on the seats and wheel in my 35th Anniv,
that came from Texas not Bowling Green.
Good thing it dosen't get judged any more. the secret is out.


Hank

[Nick M.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

Does anyone know which supplier manufactures carpet for a 63 that most resembles the original color, weave, loop , etc.... and will pass current judging standards at a Regional or National event?

[Bill C.]

Re: Al Knoch or Ecklers.....

OK, I have restrained myself long enough! There are only two vendors that make interiors. I'm leaving out Mid America because they don't fit into quality anything. If you need mats, hats and T-shirts just call Mid America or whatever their name is today.

Al Knock and Corvette America (Auto Accessories) make quality interiors and Auto Custom Carpets used to make quality carpets. That's when it was owned by Jack Holland. That was twenty years ago. Time sure flies when your having fun (or getting old).

Eckler's doesn't make anything remotely resembling interiors. They use as a rule Corvette America and Auto Custom Carpets.

Al Knock makes their own stuff and are responsible for the quality of their interiors including carpet.

Pricing is another issue as Corvette America is priced more economically and will deal with 10% for complete interior orders and 15% on very large orders for stocking more than one complete set. They give dealers very generous discounts for using their products.

That's interiors in a nutshell! That's all there is, gentlemen (and gentle women).

JR

Yep, JR said it. Someone had to, you only have door #1 or door #2, no other manufacturers for quite some time. I for one hope AK's interiors are available to me for a long time to come, Corvette America has a good product also at a lower cost. Usually OK for most customers, not for some. Like Me. Depends on what you will be happy with!