I thought that this would be a good way to get the word out (without mentioning/bashing companies) about avoiding certain repros (after market products)... and going with good used or NOS replacements if available.

In my case, it was the repro chrome header for the vert windshield...what a pain it was to install! If I had to to do over again, I would have waited and searched for a good used, or NOS, even if had cost me the world to buy.

Anyway, with lots of guys either starting out, or in the middle of a restore, they might be able to avoid some of the pitfalls that await the guy attempting to put the pieces back together, without the added grief of that part that kinda fits.

Have a great motor day.:beers:

capt

But hey...it looks good from 10 to 20 feet away right? That and the wheel well openings trim. Have you tried wrestling with those?

But hey...it looks good from 10 to 20 feet away right? That and the wheel well openings trim. Have you tried wrestling with those?
You got it, John... then try to fit the edge of the inner side...it was fun!

Looking for a good used fender mirror...these repros just don't hold up the way the orig did.

capt

In all fairness if you haven't worked with the NOS or used part how do you know it's any better than the repro part? Assuming is bad because often the factory part was just as hard to install or as poor fitting. Today 40 years later in our quest for the nicest classic on the block we put these cars back together much better than they rolled off the assembly line...

Mind you I'm not saying there are not some poor quality reproduction parts out there but a lot of the ones folks complain about the factory parts are just the same.

I truly understand you frustration,

I have to agree with not all parts are the same and some repro are not the best of quality, but with NOS parts going through the roof in price and alot of rotted not whorth saving stuff is the only thing left and its coming to the point almost people have to use the repro stuff.
I say do your homework on these parts, i did in my case I couldnt afford the 300 to 400 dollars for a front fender which the person says " yea its in great shape and you look at it and its swiss cheese, So i used all repro parts for the front of my car.

Im just saying, do your homework, know your budget, truly accept your capibilities of doing the work, and don't assume anything will just fit to your car, and put the car together before you paint it!!!!!!

Dennis

You have to make nos fit too , i put a pair nos 1/4's in a few years back and had to cut ,weld ,hammer and give them the finger , to make them fit. The guy wasted money he should have just got repops and put the cash in more part for his car

In 2000 I bought a dash pad for my 68, it sucked. I rebuilt my original instead.

I also bought and installed a left side door mirror, wish I hadn't, the damn thing moves when my wife closes the door.
Dale

Some repo stuff is good, a lot of it isn't. I guess it just comes with experience, and I've seen and/or used most of what is available at least once. Some I learned the hard way, but most others I've declined using just upon viewing the part.

I use original/used/NOS GM stuff when I can, and only use the repo parts that I know are good.

It's great when you can actually go into a shop and look at the goods...often ya can't... and if you have to send across border to receive the parts? More probs.

For example, I sent for a couple of door panels that looked great in the catalogue...but when they got here...they were liked pressed cardboard! This goes back a few years... and I see where these have improved by certain companies. In some of the discussions on TC, I see where a certain company stands out from the others in quality...I wished I had had this info before I bought...which makes TC site one heck of an info centre.

I have read that some of the reproduction parts... bumpers/wheel well mountings/rear light bezels, and other chrome related ones, just dont don't cut it. Luckily, I've never had to deal with these ones, save the upper chrome header for the vert, which seemed to be half the weight and fit of the orig.

Looks like a great top down day!

Enjoy, lads.

capt