[captcanuck68]

Originally Posted by Stewie

This brings up another point. I was looking for a set of NOS bumpers for my 69 Z back in about 1992 or 2. I had tracked a set down in Texas and even then they were asking 500 to 600 for the pair.
I was telling one of my GM worker friends and he mentioned that GM had put out a bulletin that they were doing a run of 69 front and rear bumpers. I could get a pair of NNS (Nlew New Stock) bumpers for 130 and 135 employee price. I could not believe it but I jumped on it. He got them for me in about a week after they were made. It was really cool to unpack them with the GM part number tickets etc. I think I still have them somelwhere.
They went on like a dream and I was a happy camper.
I did most of my restoring many years ago and could actually buy original. I have not done much recently but I did go for a set of new door panels and they were great.

Super job getting those NOS bumpers, and at those prices?...again some have complained in general about the quality of the new ones...with many suggesting to re-chrome the origs, even though it may break the bank!

As for myself, I've thought about replacing just one chrome wheel well trim...but after looking at the new stuff, have decided to stay with the small scuff on it. This also seems to be a poor repro example.

capt

[RSSSfanatic]

Originally Posted by jeff68

Convertible Header Moldings:
Yes, NOS is the only way to go on these as far as fit is concerned. But, chances are that they are going to need to be refinished, so don't think that you will be able to bolt these right onto your show car. The NOS set I bought had the satin painted surface. The paint was not applied well at all. Mine also had an area where the chrome peeled right off. So after spending $275 on the pair of NOS, I will now need to have them re-chromed before final installation.

The convertible header moldings have been somewhat of the Holy Grail for me. I would really love to find a pair of the genuine take-offs that were factory installed on a car, because these did not use paint at all for the satin finish, rather, it appears to be some kind of etching or blasting process. The ones that they actually put on the cars did not have a "ridge" that you could feel with your hand like paint does. I have yet to find anyone who knows how to duplicate this finish, but I would pay good money if I could. Paint, no matter how well you apply it, is never going to hold up in this application unless you never put the top up. Every one of these that I have seen has had the paint chafed off from the weather strip when the top moves around from body flex. I am toying around to see if silver powder coating would be a better option on these.

[jeff68]

Originally Posted by RSSSfanatic

...it appears to be some kind of etching or blasting process. ... I have yet to find anyone who knows how to duplicate this finish, ...

As you probably know, there have been a few discussions about this:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=196070

[RSSSfanatic]

Originally Posted by jeff68

As you probably know, there have been a few discussions about this:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=196070

Jeff, somehow I missed that one - Thanks!