Getting pieces that fit a '71...frustrating!

[Mark C.]

I'm restoring a '71 Corvette and have bought many new parts. The license bezel will not fit properly, it will not go in flush before bottoming out. Also, the rocker mouldings seem to have a different curve or shape and do not fit well either. I'm sure others have had these problems. Have I gotten cheap parts? Any suggestions or ideas for getting parts that fit?

[Greg L.]

Re: Getting pieces that fit a '71...frustrating!

I have a box of new repop JUNK parts that I bought for my 69 so I feel your pain. I don't have an answer other than I now see why referbished original or NOS parts are more expensive.

I can understand why some repop parts may not look EXACTLY the same as an original part but it should at least fit! I think that the majority of the vendors are misusing the term "reproduction".

To me a repop part should be a REPRODUCTON of the ORIGINAL part.

A "service replacement" may or may not look identical to the original part but it should FIT and FUNCTION as good as the original part.

Some current REPOPS from "reputable" vendors don't fit either catagory and are just plain junk and in many cases our only recourse is to return the part which often is worth the price of the shipping so why even bother...

Some repops are really good and some need alot of work to work and some are truely junk so if you really want parts that you KNOW will fit your best bet is original or NOS.

[Edward J.]

Re: Getting pieces that fit a '71...frustrating!

Mark, Ive Run Into The Exact Problem You Have, Welcome To The World Of Trying To Restore A Corvette, The Lic. Plate Bezel Is Still Avail. See Them On Ebay All The Time, The Rockers Are Made In China - The Worst Repro Ive Seen, I Did How Ever See That Zip Corvette Now Sells Made In America Ones Now,but Have Yet To See The Quality Of Them. Im Sure There Not Exact. As Everything Else.

[Michael M.]

Re: Getting pieces that fit a '71...frustrating!

Mark,
If you can get to Carlisle this year you may be able to solve some of issues with N.O.S. parts. Good Luck, Mike

[Greg H.]

Re: Getting pieces that fit a '71...frustrating!

I'm restoring a '71 Corvette and have bought many new parts. The license bezel will not fit properly, it will not go in flush before bottoming out. Also, the rocker mouldings seem to have a different curve or shape and do not fit well either. I'm sure others have had these problems. Have I gotten cheap parts? Any suggestions or ideas for getting parts that fit?

Mark,
I just found a set of rocker moldings on ebay to replace my repro panels that fit pretty well (as far as I know - haven't seen the original fit yet). Maybe I can make you a deal on the repros I have on my car.... small world huh?
Greg