johngammel

A group of us with C1s are trying to determine the best vendor for parts. There are of course lots of parameters such as "reputation", price, shipping location, shipping costs, sales tax, quality, backorder percentage, time from order to shipment, return policies, return costs, website usability, and more. Before we build our spreadsheet with sample parts and components I'd like to make sure I have a complete list. So these are who we're going to analyze (please let me know if we missed a full-line site):

corvetteamerica.com
corvettecentral.com
docrebuild.com
ecklerscorvette.com
keenparts.com
mamotorworks.com
paragoncorvette.com
willcoxcorvette.com
zip-corvette.com

ohiovet

For difficult to find parts and/ or original parts add:

Grossmullers
MaryJo Rohner
RARE Corvettes

Frankie the Fink

And FuelieDave..
If you intend to post results you might want to check the forum rules or check in with the moderators. Some vendors are sponsors here and I don't know how a "rating system" will go over...

johngammel

I have no intention of posting the spreadsheet on the forum. Haven't even decided whether we'd share it outside of ourselves - don't want someone "coming after" me about it. Obviously there are specialty vendors for items such as interiors or fuel injection but this is really focused on the vendors that sell a fairly complete line of parts. That said not everyone even sells something as obvious as a fuel line from the pump to the carburetor .

pikespeakfuelie

I would also add David Sokoloski in California!
I recently got a part from him that many said I probably could not find, an original 1960 non vented oil cap!
I also would second the following that I have had great luck with for hard to find parts:
Mary Jo / Vettegal
Fuelie Dave

Greg

rich5962

Many don't know of David. He has a unbelievable supply of used and NOS parts. Last time I spoke to him, he moved into a 30,000+ square foot facility in Los Angeles. Then he also told me about his latest find.....about 5(or was it more?) tractor trailer containers FILLED to the ceilings with NOS parts.

His prices are very reasonable. He works ONLY out of Hemmings, via phone, no website, no computer ordering, etc.

David is a great guy to talk to and work with. I highly recommend him too.

His contact Info......
David Sokolowski
310 329 5334
corvettedavid@sbcglobal.net

Rich

Frankie the Fink

FuelieDave is not just a fuel injection guy BTW.
I bought my correct C1 rear brake drums from him including the anti-rattle springs that go around them
Rich -- is David Sokolowski just a C1 guy ?

rich5962

Frank, IIRC actually he's mostly '63 to '67, but a fair amount of C1 items too. If there's something special you need for your '63, I bet he has it, or can get it.

Example, When I restored that Norway 435hp '67 a few years ago, I used a repro WP pulley, and it had a slight but noticeable "wobble". The maker, Paragon, admitted later they had some with this problem. I called David, he had a perfect NOS pulley in the box for a tad more than the cost of that repro. Bought it, sent it to Norway, owner installed it and it was perfect.

Rich

Frankie the Fink

Good to know -- thanks !

plaidside

For fuel injection parts I use John DeGregory.
Joe

johngammel

Have started sample orders ($100-300) with vendors to see their process, shipping speed, etc. The very first one states shipping in 7-10 business days - which seems awfully long. Perhaps they order, get it in, and then reship it out. We'll see.

ohiovet

John,
Many businesses probably including some Corvette parts sellers use a "just in time" inventory system to cut inventory costs snd taxes.
So you order the part, the vendor orders the part, the parts supplier ships the parts, the vendor ships the parts and you get them in 7 to 10 days.
Business as usual.

jimh_1962

Also, don't be afraid to post on the for sale section or ask people here... A lot of us have duplicate parts from previous restorations. I know I have plenty of small OEM, NOS and REPRO parts in storage bins.

Just need to ask is all.