Good Classic Corvette Resources?
 

A friend of mine's wife just surprised him with a '76 Corvette that is drivable but needs TLC. I will be helping him with a variety of stuff to get it nice. Can anyone recommend good parts vendors, forums, and other resources for a 1970s Corvette?

Parts
 

Corvette America is a good source.
Ecklers is okay but shipping to the west coast for me is more.

I'll try to remember to ask a few friends who are longtime multiple vette owners.

I'll be the first to say it. Have you checked the bird cage?

I think those were the biggies when my dad was working on his.

Subscribed. I'm doing a mechanical restoration of a '68.

Ecklers = Automotion, which I have never heard good things about. Corvette America seems ok but their website sucks. If I google Corvette Parts there are about one million vendors, anyone have other experience?

No idea on the birdcage, I had no involvement with the purchase. His wife surprised him with it but was at least smart enough to get an independent PPI. I located and built him a 2013 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon that he surprised her with for Christmas, so I guess this is repayment. It's a driver condition older restoration, the underside looks really dry and clean in the photos. I haven't even seen it in person yet.

Anyone have experience with Corvette Central or Zip Corvette? They seem to have a good selection of parts.

Throw a Tupperware party? I keed, I keed.

15 years ago I had no problems with Zip or Central and also had good experiences with Keen.

If anyone has knowledge of the vacuum system, I think it would be helpful to both the Puppy and I. In particular, using a vacuum reservoir with a high lift cam?

Putting these on next week, along with new Bilsteins and all new steering joints. Pretty easy to work on.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1431575469.jpg

Let me know how the suspension turns out. I'll be doing brakes first, but he eventually wants to do basically everything. Knowing him he'll want to upgrade everything, we have already talked about not only overhauling the entire brake system but installing a big brake kit as well.

I just finished putting all new calipers on the '68. Honestly, the stock calipers are pretty beefy. Even without power brakes (and a totally worn out front end) they work well dealing with a 400HP 383/4 speed.

Shoot me a PM about the front suspension. I can snap a few pics too.

She's a blast to drive with the 4 speed.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1431576323.jpg

Dr. Rebuild

Paragon

Corvettes at Carlisle

Get on the Corvette Forum.

Carter (1971 owner)

There is a large vacuum reservoir already in place behind the brake booster driver,s side. However it,s only connected with a small line and one way valve. It should be OK for the lights and other vac units,( HVAC). It isn,t used to store vac for the brake booster .
You should have sufficient vac for the brakes with most cams up to say 240 deg @.050.

Lot,s of suppliers are simply remarketing items from various sources. I have a 72 454 car in my garage now and interior parts bought from different sources because of price ,seem to come with the same mfg markings.
Biggest problem with the Corvette is trying NOT to replace everything since it,s almost all available in reproduction.
Like the early Mustang market ,a lot of offshore stuff. Occasional new old stock stuff is pricy but not needed except on rare high dollar car,which a 1976 isn,t

You can try West Coast Corvette. I just ordered from them.

Mid America Motorworks (www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette/)

Also check out his garage/museum (Mike Yagers Rare Collection of Corvette and Volkswagen cars.)