I get so disgusted with the correctness of many reproduction parts. My question is: If some outfit decides to reproduce a particular part, and sets up the tooling to do so, why can they not make it like the original? I know there are some parts made with a restoration license, and I guess they pay a royalty fee to GM, but even many of these parts aren't right. Just seems to me that if someone goes to the trouble to set up production, they'd get it right.

I asked that same question of the person I deal with for my Chevelle needs.He told me that many of the dies are sold many times among the different companies that make the parts. Told me you have to know which companies to buy from that use the the tooling for the first or second time. Don't know if that's true or not,but it does make sense.

Most reproduction parts are made over seas, where the cost factor is all that matters, not the product. If they made a superior product, that was made to fit, or even last longer, then they make Less money! That was one reason I started rebuilding hinges, because the Quality is what matters to me, because I try to treat every customer hinges, as they are mine, going on one of my cars. I make More money, when the word of mouth of our Quality, gets around to more people. Does not make much sense not to build a good product, because in the long run, you will sell more, of a better product, then a poor product.
Willie

I would be willing to bet any of us would pay an extra $50.00 or what ever it would cost for a fender that fit, or chrome that was chrome not chinese yellow, why not give us a choice to by good american made products or the junk. We are the problem, we settle for the junk, if we all sent it back they would get the message and do it right. Chevelle people are by far the biggest group of buyers in the world. We have a lot of power but don't use it.

Most reproduction parts are made over seas, where the cost factor is all that matters, not the product. If they made a superior product, that was made to fit, or even last longer, then they make Less money! That was one reason I started rebuilding hinges, because the Quality is what matters to me, because I try to treat every customer hinges, as they are mine, going on one of my cars. I make More money, when the word of mouth of our Quality, gets around to more people. Does not make much sense not to build a good product, because in the long run, you will sell more, of a better product, then a poor product.
Willie

I love my rebuilt hood hinges from Willie:thumbsup:

I too don't like the fit of my new 1/4 panels. Thank goodness for good body shop guys though!
Ron

I get so disgusted with the correctness of many reproduction parts. My question is: If some outfit decides to reproduce a particular part, and sets up the tooling to do so, why can they not make it like the original? I know there are some parts made with a restoration license, and I guess they pay a royalty fee to GM, but even many of these parts aren't right. Just seems to me that if someone goes to the trouble to set up production, they'd get it right.

I couldn't agree more!!!:beers:

With the time and money invested to do one of these parts, you would think that they would be willing to get an exact match!!!

I have taught myself to think that the repro part that I am buying will only be a core to start with. The repro part will require me to file, sand, fill, bend, shape, weld, paint, dye, sew, stitch, bead blast, drill, and so on, and so on.:wacko:

I have a love hate relationship with repro parts. I know we need them to put these cars back together when a good original part can't be found.
BUT, why can't the restoration companies be more up front about the quality of their repro part (they know)??? :angry:

There has been many repro parts that I have bought, that if the company I was buying them from would of been more honest, I would of never purchased in the first place. I would of gladly spent more time searching the bone yards and ebay.:yes:

Just my 2 cents:D

I know a Camaro dealer had disc frt spindles made. He sent a original over seas to copy. They sent a prototype which was perfect. He placed an order and parts were way off. No quality control over there. gary

We are the problem, we settle for the junk, if we all sent it back they would get the message and do it right.

On "standards of QC", absolutely. Look how they live, you think they care about some part they are getting paid a few cents to make?

Once again...America wanted cheap stuff they got it.

Glad we have repop stuff, just have to sort through it.
Ive honestly only gotten a few pieces that werent acceptable everthing else seems to be just fine. THese are old cars, nothing fits perfect or will have OEM quality.

I agree with Smokem about how to look at the repro parts. If you assume that it won't fit when you order it, then you aren't that upset when it doesn't. While I also agree that I would pay more for a good part, I have just accepted that it ain't gonna happen. I own a body shop, and that is how you keep your sanity with matching paint too. I assume it won't match the first time, so I blend everything so I don't have to do it over.