Topic: Keeping Vette original when replaceing parts
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Former Member
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EHT, NJ - USA
Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 28
Vette(s): 1978 INDY PACE CAR-ALL ORIGINAL 2277 DOCUMENTED MILES
This is a dumb question but...when you have to replace a part for ex. a shock or caliper etc. What keeps the vette "original". Does the part have to be one off the same year car. Or do you just go get the part from say AC Delco that would fit your year. I am wondering because I had to replace the water pump. I kept the original but the garage just replaced it with new one that fits the year. Would I have to have the original rebuilt to keep the car all "original". How does this all work? Thanks....
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Former Member
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Joined: 8/3/2003
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1971 coupe Warbonnet yellow/black vinyl. 350 automatic
The purest form of "original" is the actual part that came with your car from the factory. Next step down is (a) correct GM part for your car, with a date code (if dated) typically within 6 months prior to your trim tag date, and (b) exact reproduction of part.
Then you have correct part with non-matching date-too old or too new- which in the Corvette world is typically not considered original, but might be acceptable in some corners.
Last, you have incorrect GM part or aftermarket generic part, which I would not consider original. These are wrong configurations that work functionally.
I think that to maintain originality, you are looking at using correct-for-the-year GM parts, or the best reproductions, and ALWAYS trying to preserve factory parts by re-building. Don't turn them in as cores on replacements.
Obviously, it can cost a fortune to keep everything in it's pure form, so you have to decide how far you want to take it relative to your budget and intentions for the car.
Then you have correct part with non-matching date-too old or too new- which in the Corvette world is typically not considered original, but might be acceptable in some corners.
Last, you have incorrect GM part or aftermarket generic part, which I would not consider original. These are wrong configurations that work functionally.
I think that to maintain originality, you are looking at using correct-for-the-year GM parts, or the best reproductions, and ALWAYS trying to preserve factory parts by re-building. Don't turn them in as cores on replacements.
Obviously, it can cost a fortune to keep everything in it's pure form, so you have to decide how far you want to take it relative to your budget and intentions for the car.
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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