C-4 parts availability

[Joe L.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

Im looking in Corvette centrals catalog 4H which I think is pretty recent. All year door panels available 84-96. All door hardware 84-96 available. All door insulators 84-96 available. All carpet sets either front or back available. Dash pad 84 -89 available. They even have a seat rebuilding service for seat parts that are no longer available. The also have body parts . Part #144412 is for the 84 hood which is unique for the 84 only. Quarter panels 84- 96. So either this catalog needs serious updating or the parts for C4's are at least avalible from Corvette central. I dont ever remember being told a part was not in inventory or no longer available when I ordered parts for my 84 from Corvette central.

Walter------

I feel pretty sure that these are all reproduction parts, not OEM. Reproductions of interior parts for Corvettes are quite common although many times they're not up to OEM quality. However, it is possible that suppliers have learned from lessons of the past and have obtained original tooling and, possibly, original manufacturing sources for these components. I can tell you, for sure, that the VAST majority of these components are not available from GM.

As far as body panels go, some of these may still be available from GM. The 1984-only hood, GM #14030203, is not among them, though. So, either the 84 hood which is available is NOS or someone is reproducing the hood. If it's the latter, just how it "measures up" to the original is unknown to me. As a matter of fact, the last available hood KIT for 85-96, GM #12512903, (a one-size-fits-all which may differ from originals for specific years in the range) is no longer available, either.

[Walter F.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

I can only tell you many of the parts say "As Orginal ,Correct Reproduction. original colors. I dont know much about judging but if original OEM is no longer availabe then owners will have to use the after market stuff which in general I have found CC,Ecklers and Mid America to be pretty decent.

[Jeff P.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

Are some parts being reproduced now? I recall seeing new interior parts for sale, and I assume that most of them are reproduction parts. One of the most important "wear" items of them all has not been reproduced: tires.

Battery being probably #2.... yet there still is a significant deduction for this...seems a bit two-faced when NCRS recognizes this as an issue but it won't reflect such in judging.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

I just dont understand all the C 4 haters.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

I just dont understand all the C 4 haters.

We are NOT c-4 haters! In fact I am sure we love all Corvettes. I had a very low mile 85 that I just sold to my nephew & a few things electrical things did not work. Some parts we had trouble finding because GM quit making them. My point is that I think GM is doing a disservice to people that buy Corvettes to not stock parts longer. Sorry if my post sounded like I hate C-4'S.

[Jim T.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

Kenneth what electrical things did not work on the low mileage 1985 you sold?

[Keith B.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

this post hits close to home as I daily drive my 94 LT-1 and it has over 155K miles. it still goes strong but you never know. I will never redo the interior as the cost to do so is more then the car is worth sadly. but it looks good inside for now

[Patrick N.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

I just dont understand all the C 4 haters.

Hi Lyndon, I have the same challenge for my 88. I don't think its haters of C4's, I think its just business. The maturity and desirability of C4's has not matured, making it difficult for repo places to make a case to spend tooling dollars to generate repo parts en-mass. Until more parts are available for my 88, I go to these guys: http://www.contemporarycorvette.com/ They are local to me which is great, good guys to deal with. They have a giant C4 grave yard. They have let me walk the yard, which they normally don't allow -sad to see so many destroyed vettes in one place. Happy hunting.

[Paul J.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

Hi Lyndon, I have the same challenge for my 88. I don't think its haters of C4's, I think its just business. The maturity and desirability of C4's has not matured, making it difficult for repo places to make a case to spend tooling dollars to generate repo parts en-mass. Until more parts are available for my 88, I go to these guys: http://www.contemporarycorvette.com/ They are local to me which is great, good guys to deal with. They have a giant C4 grave yard. They have let me walk the yard, which they normally don't allow -sad to see so many destroyed vettes in one place. Happy hunting.

Exactly. If there is a big enough market then the parts will be reproduced. As Joe stated, the tooling costs have to be justified. Despite what I think of C4 styling, there were around a zillion made and sold. Even if they're not appreciating, that's still a lot of cars that are out there. I can remember not being able to get certain exterior parts for quad headlight C1's, but as time went by the parts were eventually reproduced. As C4's get older more parts will be reproduced. In the interim, don't forget about the venerable parts car. Every gearhead should have one in his back yard.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: C-4 parts availability

Kenneth what electrical things did not work on the low mileage 1985 you sold?

Radiator fan motor,power antanna & power door lock. This started a discussion with the mechanic I use. He works on a lot of C-4's & one had set outside for a while & mice got in the dash & ruined wiring circuit boards ETC. He said he couldn't get a lot of the parts from GM or aftermarket. It was the first I heard of it. I was used to getting a lot of C-1,C-2 parts 30 years later from GM. I moved to Az & the company that hosts the NCRS said in there email that they would not consign C-4'S because of lack of parts I posted the thread. I didn't mean to make C-4 owners mad.