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Topic: Door To Door Front End

in Forum: C3 Body

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Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/8/09 12:41pm Message 1 of 9
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Christian
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Houston, TX - USA
Joined: 2/25/2003
Posts: 193
Vette(s): 1971 LS5 Convertible 4 sp

I am about to entirely rebuild the front part of the car (1971) from the windshield to the front bumber. I plan on buying a complete door-to-door front end, but I wonder what product to buy and where from.

I would welcome any advice on my option and about these 2 products from Eckler's (URL's below). What does justify the price difference ?

Jig-Fit Front End, Press Molded, Door To Door
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=44477&dept_id=1427

and

Door To Door Front End, Stock Design
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=10860&dept_id=1430




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Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/8/09 12:52pm Message 2 of 9
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indy99
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Newport, MI - USA
Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932
Vette(s): 1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.
Have you looked at this site???  They carry a lot of parts.
 




Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/8/09 1:35pm Message 3 of 9
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corvette440hp
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Christian, The press molded panels will cost more. They will be smooth on both sides. You can sand the panels down with out fear of the glass fibers being exposed. The hand laminated panels will have a gel coat on the top side. You do have to be careful not to break thru the gel coat when sanding down. The earlier versions such as your 1971 used the press molded style. As far as ACI, they are a quality supplier of fiberglass panels. I've bought a lot from them. If you want to use them, call and ask when they will be having a sale. They will give at least a 10% discount on their sales. Good luck to you, and keep us posted on your progress. corvette440hp2009-02-08 13:35:54


corvette440hp

Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/9/09 11:01am Message 4 of 9
VetteSpecialties
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
To elaborate on the above answer:  Corvettes were originally made by press molding a bunch of individual parts, then assembling them in a big jig. 

Cheap  aftermarket replacements used one big mold, and laid the fiberglass in by hand.  They can not possibly fit as well, but can be made to look good from the outside, but if you look under the fender, or under the hood, the difference is immediately obvious.  The inside looks like the inside of an old fiberglass boat.

If you want the original look, the clear leader in quality is Sermersheims.  They are only a couple hundred dollars more, if at all, but are exactly like the factory.  They are the only source we use for press molded.

Larry



Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/9/09 11:15am Message 5 of 9
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Christian
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Houston, TX - USA
Joined: 2/25/2003
Posts: 193
Vette(s): 1971 LS5 Convertible 4 sp
Thank you for the info. I am keen on keeping the car as close to stock as I can. I'll make the best of your input and keep you posted.


Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/9/09 11:41am Message 6 of 9
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Christian
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Houston, TX - USA
Joined: 2/25/2003
Posts: 193
Vette(s): 1971 LS5 Convertible 4 sp
[QUOTE=VetteSpecialties]If you want the original look, the clear leader in quality is Sermersheims.  They are only a couple hundred dollars more, if at all, but are exactly like the factory.  They are the only source we use for press molded.

Larry
[/QUOTE]
 
Thank you Larry,
I have a hard time finding contacts or web site for Sermersheim.
Do you have an URL ? 



Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/20/09 12:05am Message 7 of 9
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Christian
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Houston, TX - USA
Joined: 2/25/2003
Posts: 193
Vette(s): 1971 LS5 Convertible 4 sp

OK. SEMERSHEIM has no web site. They are on MySpace and this seems to be the only way to contact them. The phone number only takes me to their answering machine. Communication goes only through e-mailing on MySpace, no direct e-mails ??? But Jessica is quite responsive and helpful.

Christian2009-02-20 00:06:57


Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/22/09 1:05am Message 8 of 9
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Christian
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Houston, TX - USA
Joined: 2/25/2003
Posts: 193
Vette(s): 1971 LS5 Convertible 4 sp

OK. I am going for press molded parts.

Both SERMERSHEIM and THE CORVETTE IMAGE seem to offer fairly goo products. Does anyone have an opinion on these products?
Correctness, finish, etc...
 
I like to keep my car as close as possible from original.
Thanks for your  help.
 
Christian



Door To Door Front End

Posted: 2/27/09 12:33pm Message 9 of 9
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OH6A
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Cadiz, KY - USA
Joined: 8/26/2002
Posts: 249
Vette(s): 74 Convertible

Shipping will also be a factor.  Ecklers is in Florida and you may be able to pick it up.  I have used an Ecklers one piece front end and it fit perfectly.  Sermersheim is in Evansville, Indiana so that may be helpful in locating them; they do have an outstanding product.




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in Forum: C3 Body


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