Discontinued parts on 1996 Vette.

[froggy47]

I just got around to calling Chris @ Superior Chevy for a left "door pull" as mine was showing wear.

He told me GM discontinued the right one (to my surprise) on 4/03, the left is still available.

He also said that, with the exception of some safety items, there is really no "law" as to how long GM has to keep making replacement parts, it's an "economic" decision to them - how many do they expect to sell etc.

Thought I'd pass this on.

 

[vee93]

Froggy,
GM surprised me too. After accident repair on my '93 was complete, I noticed the body shop hadn't replaced any of the underhood decals. I've replaced them all (thanks to Corvette Central) except the Vehicle Emission Control Information label. After putting off ordering the thing for a while, I finally get around to it and find out the VECI decal for my year has been discontinued.

My thought is-you mean to tell me that someone at GM can't have my part # in hand, walk down the appropriate aisle, go to a shelf and find a box of these things and send me one? Same with your part. I mean, come on.

I see parts for 50, 40, 30 and 20 year old Vettes and I can't get my hands on something for my '93? It is very frustrating.

 

[froggy47]

Now that, veci label, you WOULD think it was mandatory. Go figure.

 

[B17Crew]

Preserving our C4’s

froggy47,
Boy does your post hit home. I am interested in keeping my Corvette for a very long time, I love it, having said that:

I decided to start ordering parts from the Chevy parts department that are wear items and then pack them away. Have I been educated!

There are so many small things that are just not available, for instance; I wanted to order the grey fuel line cosmetic caps that are on the send and receive lines just above the passenger side plastic fuel rail cover. Not available. ( I finally located them through Taber Corvette Parts for $15.00 a pair, see link at end of post)

I wanted to order several OEM ’96 oil drain plugs that have the built in gasket. Not available, a service replacement is what you’ll get. On a positive note, the replacement has a magnetic end. $4.85 a piece.

I better see about the black plastic fuel rail covers with the red CORVETTE lettering real quick, not to mention the Grand Sport throttle body plate!

I have started to take down all part numbers that are listed on all the underhood labels as I want to have those handy as well. Going to try the Chevy dealer first, vee93’s post and suggesting Corvette Central for the hard to get ones was helpful. Thank You!

I have had luck with Taber Corvette Parts, here is a link to their site

http://www.tabertouch.com/index.html

B17Crew

 

[froggy47]

Sounds like you really love your car. It may be very hard to anticipate every little thing that will show wear or break or get damaged in a crash. You should post a list of what you are putting together for spares & we could add to it etc.

I have the door pull, mats (of course), the console, in the rear when I added those "no slip" clips for the security cover, I noticed a plastic strip behind where the clip screws in was broken. Who would figure that?

Then there is the security cover - fading, tears, wear marks.

It goes on.

 

[B17Crew]

froggy47,
Sure do enjoy this car. I think over this winter I will slowly be purchasing wear items that I can see are showing signs of use. The door pulls that you mentioned are one of the things on my hit list, as well as items such as the center console armrest -- that’s going to be pricey.

As you said, it will be hard to anticipate every little thing that will show wear or break. Only recently have I learned of the unavailability of OEM parts for the C4.

I’ll start to keep a record of what I am ordering and any part numbers/prices. Once I have a large enough list, I’ll post the info. It’ll be a while before I post, as this is going to be a winter project.

B17Crew

 

[Michael Malone Smith]

Life is strange or is it GM? I ordered touch up paint for my Grand Sport in June from Chev dealer , had the white in stock but had to special order the blue. OK, after calling them 4 times in the next 3 months, they informed me that this color had been discontinued by GM ! I could come in and get a refund for 7.19. When I came in and complained to them they said there was nothing they could do. Oh yeah, they wanted to send me a check. I got cash!!!! Called Mid American and had a bottle of there Grand Sport blue shipped the next day. Hope it matches:confused

 

[B17Crew]

Oh no, not touch-up paint too!

My list just keeps getting longer

B17Crew

 

[froggy47]

High mount center brake light lense - mine is getting a dull finish on it.

 

[KOPBET]

High mount center brake light lense - mine is getting a dull finish on it.

What's your best source?

 

[B17Crew]

The flip cover for door pocket storage, it has devloped a recess from my elbow resting on it.

B17Crew