1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

[Richard M.]

How is it possible to be sure this is real? If they used to make reproductions, how could I tell the difference? (56-57 JG not here yet)
Thanks,
Rich

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-1956-1957-Corvette-1X4-chrome-11-in-air-cleaner_W0QQitemZ190357707605QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2c52341b55

[Roy B.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

The repro flame material was different , the retainer holding the material is a different metal and most repro's used a copper locking ring to hold the pieces to gather where the Carb rod goes through it.
Seen here is a 55 the same but for the egg de tent that has THREE spot welds holding them to gather ( vary easy to see even at the top ) Original!! And the bottom was painted gray which wears off after time. This is a NOS I still have in the original box. Reading the new JM it dont mention the spot welds that repro's dont show.
Hope this helped!!!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

Thanks for the info Roy. So it appears the ebay piece is real. It's up to $1794 with 6 hrs left. Unsure if it has met reserve(whatever that was), or was a no reserve at start bid of $100.

Confusing thing about reserve items that have bids on ebay is that unless you make a note of the reserve price at the start of a auction, there's no way to tell what it was after it's met reserve via bidding. I thought it used to track and tell in the listing when reserve was met.

Rich

[Lynn H.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

Seller states in the listing that there was a reserve, and it does not show now, so it has HIT the reserve somewhere in the bidding. As Richard stated, without tracking closely, you would almost have to be watching exactly when it hit, or be the bidder who took it over (the reserve) to know what the reserve was. Sometimes sellers will disclose this if you ask, but again, from the text in the listing this seller was unwilling to do this. I do not remember it ever showing on the bid list, but it may have in the very early days of ebay. It also used to be a little easier to tell (IMO) if there was some shill bidding going on, but ebay has now made it where much of this information is no longer visible to prospective buyers.
Lynn

[John H.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

Jeez, it only brought $3500.00 .

[Roy B.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

John you have to remember there not being repro'ed anymore and when they were sold for 2k , vary rare and near impossible to find now, so if it's the last part needed to go NCRS $3,500.00 can be a good buy for that person. If I dint repro the 55 shielding , the prices for a 55 restored Top flight can run $200,000 and more from pro-team . I would think the 55 shielding could go for 4K or more to complete a 55. Look at what C2 parts go for ( air cleaner wing nut at $400.00 )

[Richard M.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

I'm finding out that getting parts for my 56 project are getting harder to find and more expensive as time goes by. I got the car just over a year ago. It's missing mostly everything. To date this is what I've bought and the prices......

2 used seat frames with seized tracks, 2 seat bottoms & backs - $1350
2 original tail light cores(nice ones) - $320
Rechromed above tail lights - $350
Rechromed 2 front bumpers(w/rust holes) that came with car - $325
Rechromed grille bar that came with car - $175
2 used small gauge sets(rough) - $275
Used Cowl vent - $100
Used Cowl vent opening mechanism - $125
2 used Female hood latches - $100
2 used top fender scoop trims - $90
2 nos park lights - $300
Misc int/ext/eng parts - $500
Clutch/Brake Pedal assembly(needs repair!) - Traded a 3756519 283 block for it!

So far I have $20k into the car and this is all I have to show for it! Thankfully I don't need a windshield($$), door glass($$), soft top($$), etc as I'm making a tribute of the 57 Super Sport. Of course minus the 57 fuel unit(mega$), air cleaner(mega$), etc. But if a base engine air cleaner is going to cost $3500 I may consider a little more for the 57 fuelie unit and ancillaries!!!

Rich
p.s. The Thermos Bottle that Betty is holding is going to be really tough to find too!

[Edward M.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

I am collecting parts for a single four 56. Got just about everything except the air cleaner.

My car is gonna have a 14 inch air cleaner on it for the time being.

These prices are rediculous. I saw two original 11 air cleaners (both 56 units) at Carlisle two years ago. One was $1000, the other was $1200.

[Michael L.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

I guess buying mine from John Rohner in the early '80s was a wise decision. My repro air cleaner cost about $175....

[Steven B.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

I'm finding out that getting parts for my 56 project are getting harder to find and more expensive as time goes by. I got the car just over a year ago. It's missing mostly everything. To date this is what I've bought and the prices......

2 used seat frames with seized tracks, 2 seat bottoms & backs - $1350
2 original tail light cores(nice ones) - $320
Rechromed above tail lights - $350
Rechromed 2 front bumpers(w/rust holes) that came with car - $325
Rechromed grille bar that came with car - $175
2 used small gauge sets(rough) - $275
Used Cowl vent - $100
Used Cowl vent opening mechanism - $125
2 used Female hood latches - $100
2 used top fender scoop trims - $90
2 nos park lights - $300
Misc int/ext/eng parts - $500
Clutch/Brake Pedal assembly(needs repair!) - Traded a 3756519 283 block for it!

So far I have $20k into the car and this is all I have to show for it! Thankfully I don't need a windshield($$), door glass($$), soft top($$), etc as I'm making a tribute of the 57 Super Sport. Of course minus the 57 fuel unit(mega$), air cleaner(mega$), etc. But if a base engine air cleaner is going to cost $3500 I may consider a little more for the 57 fuelie unit and ancillaries!!!

Rich
p.s. The Thermos Bottle that Betty is holding is going to be really tough to find too!

Rich, one NOS Thermos coming up!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1955, 1956, 1957 Corvette 1X4 chrome 11 in. air cleaner

Hmmmmm, would you take $8,000 for it!

Actually, it looks like the same one! I need two of these too. They have magnets to hang on to the glove box door on sharp turns.