So I am looking at getting the rack either re-chromed or a new stainless one.
What I found out is the racks were all dealer added and some are different sizes.
I am quoted a cost for re-chroming at about $450-$500.
A new stainless, if I can get the exact same one is about $280.

Since the car is nearly bone stock (different color) I would like to keep the original if possible but would like opinions as to what others did and how that worked. It just shows  LITTLE rust spots but would like it better.
Steel wool?

Re-chroming the rear bumpers is about $300 apiece. Sound right for a good job?
On another note I took it in to have the front bumper and grills around the parking lights repainted and the lower spoiler replaced.

I am excited.

Not sure on cost or where to go, I have had some reservaztion when it comes to sending that type of work off to be done by some outfit that is going to be sending it off into mexico for a chrome job that is thinner than my hair line,  I would go to a few shows around here, talk to a few corvette clubs, research on line, ask a few body shops who does there work, and really spend some time to find a good quality job for the money that is going to stand up to our weather pattern, if you do all that then when it is time for me to have work done, you would have done all the hard work for your fellow vette head, love is grand.... L

The stainless racks don't look as good, to me, as the chrome ones. Just a personal thing, tho.
As long as you measure the attaching points on yours, you can get one that will fit. I think several of the vendors have measurement info, either on their web-sites, or in the catalogs. I think there were originally two different vendors for the racks the dealers installed, and then there are two different mount styles...six bolt and eight bolt. The early cars had the six bolt racks, and the later cars had the eight bolt racks, but...since they were dealer/owner installed, ya never know which one was used at the time, so you just count how many bolts hold it on so ya know for sure.

Do some(a lot) reasearch on the re-chroming of the bumpers...I've seen, and heard many sad tales about ruined bumpers due to bad chrome jobs, and wavey surfaces due to too much polishing...

Thanks for the replys.
I would have Butch do it down there in Summit lake Larry. I have talked to him a few times and like his work.

With the # of Vettes he works on and the # of 63's hes done I have to trust hes my guy.

Joel, thats what I needed about the stainless vs chrome deal. Just didnt sound right for my car. Heck the chrome lasted 35 years so far and really isnt that bad but if I do the rear bumpers, and they need done, then the rack would look "off". Same for the plate insert.

I will be gone for about 2 weeks so keep those ideas coming and if I dont respond it isnt cause I dont want more ideas, its because I dont have any hookups.
JT
jt's732008-06-18 05:30:27

I got a chrome one from corvette america. It worked great, 6 holes lined up perfectly.  Looks very nice.

I replaced mine (6 holer) with stainless a few years back. Got lucky and found local shop and was able to try both a 6 and 8. The new 8 holer lined up perfectly with the old 6 holer on the car, but the new 6 holer was not even close.