slovill

I am newer to this forum and have not seen many threads about vendors you prefer to order from. My 64 was handed down to me by my father and means a lot to me. There is some TLC needed. Budget is always a concern, but I want this car treated very well.

Whom do you normally go to first to shop parts? Are most vendors (Eckler's, ZIP, Corvette America, et al) selling parts from the same suppliers? Do some vendors seem to put more importance on quality than others? Are some vendors more concerned with restoration correct parts?

A lot of questions, I know, but I want to make as few mistakes as possible with this car (and my budget).

Thanks to all who contribute to this forum. What a great resource for those of us who know just enough to be dangerous.

S

jntdysf

I've had good luck with Paragon. 10% discount to NCRS members.

Mike

MosportGreen66

I like:

Long Island Corvette Supply - (www.licorvette.com)

and

Corvette Central - (www.corvettecentral.com)

66BBDriver

LICS When I need the parts. Always in stock and ship the same day. Firedog

63-67BUZZ

Zip Gets Most Of My Restoration Business! Next Day Delivery If Your On The East Coast And The Best Return Policy In The Industry. 800-962-9632 They Also Have A 10% Discount Plan. Paragon & Long Island Also Have Good Products. After You Purchase Enough Parts You Will Know Where To Buy. Buzz

62Jeff

I use Long Island Corvette Supply for my 65, always have the part in stock and they ship right away.

I use Corvette Central for my 62, and then wait for weeks and months for the parts to arrive from back order as Corvette Central seems to have fewer and fewer early model parts in stock.

bweaver999

I buy a good bit from Keen Parts:
http://www.keenparts.com/index.php?y...53b5be76a9fabc

They usually have the best prices and excellent service.

Glenn's 67 BB Vert

Keen parts for me also--Glenn

macdarren

Second Zip....done several thousand in business with them over that last year or so...pretty much agree with the above...they have always been helpful and when they don't know an answer they have gone to some effort to find the answer and if t they don't know they have said so and not tried to feed me a line to make a sale. I have even made a few suggestions to improve their website and spoken with their web designer and seen some of the ideas implemented. I also work with a single sales rep, this is good because then he knows what I am doing knows what I have ordered or can suggest things I might need or alternatives. I've also made a few order mistakes and returns have not been an issue.

Dave Tracy

I have had issues with Ecklers(rear leaf spring not a true replacement and having to send it back at my expense $40.00 for their mistake) and Corvette Central with a poor quality transmission rebuild kit. I do business now with Long Island Corvette.

vettebuyer6369

Still use Corvette Central a lot... no problems. Parts on BO are BO'ed everywhere. Paragon is my #2.

SPLITRAY

My receipts notebook says that I like to do most of my business with Doc Rebuild, Van-Steel, and CC. Never an issue with back orders, shipping/time, or anything.

I also need a new receipt notebook...a thicker one!

Ron78Z&66Vette

For the most part I use Zip. I'm a tight-*** and they usually have the best prices. Also get a 10% discount for 12 months as soon as you order more than $750 ....or is it $1000? My only complaint, if you even want to call it that, is that you usually have to specifically ask them to ship a partial order if an item you ordered at the same time goes back-order.

It does pay to shop around though, I got my exhaust through Corvette Central, and my calipers from Vette Brake Products.

ctjackster

"I am newer to this forum and have not seen many threads about vendors you prefer to order from"

you must be new by a matter of minutes, no offense but there are at least three "preferred vendor" type threads on the first two pages of recent forum topics right now.

but if you insist - LICS (80%), followed by (a tie) Doc Rebuild and Paragon, depending on the item.

ctjackster

a serious misstatement by one who is usually very informed. get off the couch brother, the parts on BO with CC are NOT BO-ed everywhere, I promise you.

kenmo

Owning my 1060 since 1983 I've bought from alot of vendors... But the three I mostly use are

VetteGal (specializes in C1s)
http://www.vettegal.com/

Corvette Central
http://www.corvettecentral.com/

Blue Ribbon Corvette
Now homepage but some info on the owner Bill Gohr
http://www.cgcorvetteclub.com/History/bill.htm

I love the personal touch of VetteGal (MaryJo) and Bill & Dottie Gohr of Blue Ribbon... Always a pleasure to deal with them... CC always has what I want and are fast to deliver...

I've had good luck with Ecklers as well...

I'm hearing good stuff about Corvette Specialties in British Columbia and may be purchasing a hood from them soon...

http://corvette-specialties.com

Ron Miller

I've used all of the above, and my general view is about the same as has been presented in the above opinions.

One supplier I used several years ago but had forgotten over the course of several years, I rediscovered just recently. They're a forum sponsor as well, and I've always gotten excellent service and unmatched prices from Willcox Corvette, http://www.willcoxcorvette.com/. Just recently bought a set of leather seat covers from them, and now have a dash wiring harness due in any day.

I believe it's a family owned business, I used to call and ask whether I was speaking to "Old Ernie" or "young Ernie", father and son. I ordered a lot from "Old Ernie", but found out a few years ago that he had passed away. It's a real loss, he was a swell person to do business with. I believe "young Ernie" may still be there though, recommend you give them a shot at some of your business. My $0.02 . . .

KyleDallas

For Head or Engine work on Vortec, LT-1 and LS1 up family of engines..
Supporting Vendor- Motorsport Technologies out of Houston, Texas
is an excellent source if your goals are building horsepower... I have followed and been acquainted with MTI since 1996... when I observed
a porky looking Impala SS they'd built taking lunch money from many
unsuspecting rubes.... using iron heads and no nitrous.

MTI powered cars have been featured in Car and Driver, Motor Trend,
GM High Tech and Performance, and Vette magazine. Their current
modded 427ci LS2 pumps out 605hp... naturally aspirated... 100 horsepower more than GM's mighty LS7.

MTI's head work is competition quality... not bubba quality..

7vettes

Wow, that's almost like asking "Coke or Pepsi?".......or around here, "Bud or Becks?"

Anyway, my Coupe is a '64 in name only and originality for originality's sake doesn't interest me. But sometimes originality for funtion's sake is important, in which case I go with either Doc Rebuild or LIC.

Beyond that, Paragon is very good, especially if service after the sale is needed. They usually have good prices and ship almost instantly. Keens is very good, I just bought a few small parts from them at Hershey (lenses, gaskets, etc). I've never had a problem with Zip, but haven't used them that much recently.

I salute Ecklers for what it has meant to the hobby and everything. I remember when they had an on-site body shop and repair shop and I had a good bit of work done there when I lived in the area. I remember when Ralph, his brother and Motorcycle Bob and Al were getting dirty at the place. But those days are gone, it's just not the same IMO. I'll sometimes order "this or that" from them, but I've especially sworn off ever ordering anything electrical from them. Hencho en China just don't work right in my '64.

Oh well, time for another Becks....

Chalky

To many good vendors but if I have to:

Nate @ Corvette Garage
Gene @ Genes Kar Shop.

Nothing but good experiences with both!