 subdiver1
Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 6
Loc: Washington, state
Reg: 12-30-20
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02-13-21 12:07 AM - Post#2814194
I have been reading and researching trim/moldings for months working on the frame off resto of a '64 Impala 2-dr SC. With certain parts being in the hard to find category I am led to ask; What trim/molding absolutely has to be NOS and what can one get away with using repro on? I am not asking to be cheap, I am asking because of availability and ROI on some of the parts, e.g. refurb on my grill is $900, a replacement NOS is $1400-1600; upper quarter molding is impossible to find (I've seen one set on Ebay for $4200?!?!?) and I have the driver side eyebrow, but finding the passenger side is like trying to find steak in a vegan restaurant. Fortunately, my upper quarter trim can be restored and along with those I am having the grill and center trunk coves redon so all side molding is NOS or refurb. However, I cannot find some of the other parts; e.g. lower grill molding; and a lot of the pieces like tail light housings and trim rings I am finding are no better or worse then those I have. So, looking at it from two perspectives, value and quality, what trim/molding absolutely have to be NOS or original and what can one get away with being repro and who would you go with? Trim Parts and Dynacorn seem to be the go to companies talked up here for repro pieces.
Thanks in advance.
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 paintman
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 671
Loc: Smoky Mts., Tenn.
Reg: 02-27-12
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02-13-21 02:39 AM - Post#2814196
In response to subdiver1
From my experience on past restorations NOS will fit the best (may not be perfect finish etc. as NOS had weak quality finish control} such as mold marks etc. TrimParts is very good quality and fit. I restored a 64 SS (pictures are still on CT) I believe and I know the license panels repro do not fit to me specs as do the rear outer upper and lower rear quarter trunk mouldings (sometimes called "hockey sticks" as on 62 Impala. The 64 SS repro side mouldings are fit and cheap (basically junk} and bend when torqued down too tightly, suggest you restore your originals. Lower grille moulding probably best thru TrimParts. Tail Light housings I think are available thru TrimParts. I have purchased a lot of parts thru Hubbard's ($10,000 +} and they have always been good with everything.
I know Paul PVS409 has good parts NOS and used and is very knowledgable, helpful and very fair as well as several other of us in the past 70 year old range!!!!
Hope this helps and send pics of your project as you proceed!
Rich
1962 Chevy Impala Convertible 283 Auto
1964 Impala SS Coupe 327 250 Auto SOLD
2010 Mustang GT Convertible 5 speed |
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paintman
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 671
Loc: Smoky Mts., Tenn.
Reg: 02-27-12
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02-13-21 02:45 AM - Post#2814197
In response to paintman
Rich
1962 Chevy Impala Convertible 283 Auto
1964 Impala SS Coupe 327 250 Auto SOLD
2010 Mustang GT Convertible 5 speed |
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 pvs409
"9th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 3127
Loc: Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
Reg: 01-10-05
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02-13-21 12:14 PM - Post#2814223
In response to paintman
I would restore and reanodize the original side trim, hood lip molding and ebrows. I would restore and reanodize the 4 headlite covers. I would restore the original aluminum trim on the trunk and 1/4 (since you know they fit). You should be able to find good originals to restore and reanodize. I have about 10 restorable sets of 62 aluminum trim.
Here is an example of 64 SS restored side trim -prices have doubled in the last 5 years....
https://ebertschevroletpa rts.com/products/1964-ss-...
SAVE ALL your orignal mounting clips and reuse them for the trim.
For tailights I have not seen the reproduction 64 Impala tailights -you could order and set check them out and if not good return them... -I restore the originals(or I found NOS for my cars and reanodized my original tailights) or I have found nice shinney originals for 61 and 62 tailights (cleaned them with 0000 steel wool and added all new gaskets, new lenses and new or nice original trim to the new lenses.
Doing the same to the grill(restoring the original grille) is a good decision. They will fit and look even better (since they are original) and can look better than NOS parts if restored correctly.
The front and back valance panels in the bumper -normally can be found NOS -but I think the reproduction's are not bad(they are for 62's).
Buy and use the reproduction trunk and cove panels (SS or the satin Impala) -they are made by a company in Des Monies Iowa and are mint (even better then NOS).Buy from Dallas County Parts -they have the best prices normally). Trim Parts are the best quality for what they make reproduction (327 flags, hood and trunk emblems, etc )
Paul
57 BelairHT 283/270hp 4 spd
62 ImpHT 327/300 4 spd
62 Imp CV SS 327/300HP 700R4 (sold)
62 Imp HT SS 409/482 stroker 4 spd
62 Imp SS 409 - 5 spd Convertible
http://paulstensland.com
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subdiver1
Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 6
Loc: Washington, state
Reg: 12-30-20
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02-13-21 10:26 PM - Post#2814233
In response to pvs409
Paul,
Thanks very much for the response.
Funny you should link to Ebert's on the trim parts, they are doing several pieces for me, including the quarter pieces and the grill. I talked to him last week and he mentioned that he is liquidating inventory and only taking on a so much work in preparation for retirement; not really sure where else to go to have parts redone right. I am building a non-SS car and it amazes me the number of pieces that are on the car, let alone the cost for some of the pieces. I picked up some original and refurbished parts from South East Chevy and NOS Impala parts, but that has added up and you just cannot find certain pieces; for instance I haven't been able to find a useable passenger side eyebrow anywhere, so far. I have a great condition NOS driver side eyebrow and my headlight rings are in top condition. Fortunately, my quarter pieces are in good enough condition to be redone. My hood lip molding is shot so that is a piece that will cost me; if I can find one.
I have been saving any of the original clips that are serviceable so I'll keep doing that; a lot of the metal ones I have cleaned up and should be serviceable, but the plastic stuff has deteriorated to the point of not being serviceable, if it isn't cranking or turning to dust.
Appreciate the advice on the 0000 well for the aluminum, I'll try that. I ruined on housing already trying to use sand paper to smooth some pitting.
Thanks for the info on Dallas County Parts, I saw them on line, and things look good, but I wasn't sure about what I might be getting there. My trunk cove is salvageable and Ebert's is going to do that as well, but he said something about not doing the center paint so I may need to figure out how to match the satin paint and have my paint guy shoot the center and corners. Had I known before I might have just gone with the repro from Dallas County, if they had it in stock.
I'll appreciate the note on using Trim Parts for the emblems, etc. as well. Thanks for all the input! You guys are tops!
Scott
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subdiver1
Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 6
Loc: Washington, state
Reg: 12-30-20
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02-13-21 10:27 PM - Post#2814234
In response to paintman
Sweet!
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subdiver1
Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 6
Loc: Washington, state
Reg: 12-30-20
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02-13-21 11:04 PM - Post#2814235
In response to paintman
Rich,
Thanks very much for the response and the advice. Ebert's out in WI is going to refurb my quarter moldings, grill and trunk pieces as well as the hood and trunk splits. The grill is going to be the most expensive piece to get refurbed, so far, but yeah I am also looking at several thousand in NOS trim. I could have gone with the repro stuff and saved quite a few $$, but a lot of what I was reading leads me to believe that the quality of a lot of it is not what the originals are. That kind of lends to the original question.
I noticed that a few of the other threads mention TrimParts as a good source, thanks for reinforcing that.
I really appreciate you and Paul responding and providing the advice; Being 70 years young just means you have plenty of life experience to pull from; nothing wrong with that especially if the rest of us are smart enough to listen.
My hood is rusted up under the from pinch welds and it is bowed a bit in the center so we ordered a repro. The first one was all bent up. The second we just got looked good, but when they tried to fit it up Friday it was all jacked up. I may have to eat the cost of redoing my hood at this point. There is some great reading on this site, but I couldn't find any discussion on what pieces you can immediately tell are after market (repro) and which, if any, hard to tell the difference in.
I'll drop some pics soon. I had the frame and other structural parts powder coated when I first got things started. Right now we are in mock-up to fit the hood and doing body work so really no great pics. I am hoping to blow it apart again soon so I can get a bunch of the other engine compartment pieces over for powder coating and then paint but, we need to fix some cancer in the right quarter and fender areas.
Thanks again Rich,
Scott
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64DSSoto
Newbie
Posts: 1
Age: 51
Loc: SF Bay Area
Reg: 01-29-21
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02-16-21 10:53 PM - Post#2814436
In response to subdiver1
Im a new member and new owner of a 64 Impala SS Convertible.
Great info here, any recommendations for a good place to buy replacement front and rear license plate panels?
Thanks in advance.
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pvs409
"9th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 3127
Loc: Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
Reg: 01-10-05
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02-18-21 07:33 PM - Post#2814580
In response to 64DSSoto
Cars Inc. in Michigan.
Paul
57 BelairHT 283/270hp 4 spd
62 ImpHT 327/300 4 spd
62 Imp CV SS 327/300HP 700R4 (sold)
62 Imp HT SS 409/482 stroker 4 spd
62 Imp SS 409 - 5 spd Convertible
http://paulstensland.com
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subdiver1
Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 6
Loc: Washington, state
Reg: 12-30-20
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02-22-21 11:02 PM - Post#2814919
In response to 64DSSoto
NOS Impala parts and Southeast Chevy parts seem to have some of those on occasion and have NOS or restored parts. This guy has one listed on Ebay as NOS. https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-GM3833230-196 4-Chevy-...
If you are looking for aftermarket/repop then I am also asking and listening to whatever these guys have to say.
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paintman
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 671
Loc: Smoky Mts., Tenn.
Reg: 02-27-12
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02-23-21 05:28 AM - Post#2814928
In response to subdiver1
That's a very good price for the NOS one on E Bay. Two years ago I was getting as much as $350.00 each for NOS 62 license panels.
Rich
1962 Chevy Impala Convertible 283 Auto
1964 Impala SS Coupe 327 250 Auto SOLD
2010 Mustang GT Convertible 5 speed |
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