Best for the buck

[Tims69SE]

Continuing with my restoration on my 69 charger SE.  I am expecting the car back from body and paint soon and will begin the re-assembly process.  I have already purchased a ton of small parts for the re-assembly but will be purchasing more expensive highly visible parts.  I have done the same homework that everybody else has done with 2 pages of vendors, countless hours on-line, knowing what all the vendors carry and how much everything costs.  Most of the parts are about the same cost from vendor to vendor.  My question, is the quality the same from vendor to vendor, for example I need rear tail light lenses and bezels.  Is there a difference of quality between Vans, Year One and Classic Industries.  I don't mind spending the money or have a choice, but don't want to be disappointed with junk parts showing up on my front porch.

So I need help on the best quality part for the buck.  If you have purchased these items and the quality is very good , let me know what vendor you used.
1) Rear Tail lights and bezels
2) 7-Piece stainless trim set for the grill
3) Wheel well lip moldings
4) Flip top gas cap and bezel

[kent]

I hear you Tim. I can't help with any of your parts you listed but am also very curious about the condition of these and other parts. I like you do not want to throw my money away on useless parts.  That being said, some guys standards are way higher than mine. Where I would be happy others would be disgusted.

Oh by the way, what is Vans?

[Tims69SE]

Kent, your exactly right, its all about standards.  I happen to be doing a high end restoration and again I don't mind spending the money but do want quality parts.  I went thru this in the 80's when I purchased bumpers and immediately returned them due to poor quality.  Check out vans Mopar parts, another good avenue for parts.

[kent]

Thanks Tim. Headed there right now.

[69bfan]

If you are doing a high end restoration, then you will want to seek out either excellent used or NOS pieces.  As a vendor of reproduction parts, few parts are of the level of the assembly line pieces.  There are variances in some of the reproduction parts and some of the more expensive pieces are no better than the less costly pieces.  You have to do your leg work and verify that the parts will work for your level of the restoration. 

For example, on the side marker lens, you can purchase NOS with the correct lettering and markings for $160, reproductions with markings and part numbers for $80 or a lens with no markings for $60.  The differences between the three levels is huge.  I have not heard of any good reviews of the tail lamp lens or bezel trim.  A high end restoration will most probably mean having lens with the correct markings, I doubt any of the reproduction tail lamp lens have that quality.

I know that we sell the fuel caps and trim rings from two different manufactures.  It is hard to say that one is much better than the other.  The big difference is the weight and plating quality of a NOS or very good used cap.  Granted, reproduction parts generally do not see the extreme weather conditions of the original parts, but that is a concern from our customers in regards to door handles and the reproduction mirrors.  Prices from the reproduction mirrors for the same style can range from $135 to $55.  Again, what are your expectations.

Wheel lip trim that you are looking for can be all over the spectrum.  I would seek out good used wheel lip trim.  They can be polished and the earlier ones were stainless which hold up well.  The wheel lip trim should have been test fitted to the car prior to paint to insure proper fit. 

When buying from your chosen vendor, see if they will tell you if they know the vendor for the product.  Year One just buys from others and does not make anything.  Classic has its manufacturing side under OER.  Vans is doing more and more of its own manufacturing while also selling others product.  You also have to know that just like back in the day, vendors will have a primary and then secondary vendors.  So that is why I stress to ask who is the manufacture if they can provide the information.  Also, some of the smaller vendors deal more directly with restoration shops who are very valuable in providing feedback on the product.  We have found that the restoration shops have more of a desire to deal with the smaller and focused vendors than the large store front vendor.

Good luck with your pursuit, but your best answer is to actually view the installed part and ask the owner how it is holding up and possibly they can tell you the issues both good and bad of the installation.

[Tims69SE]

69bfan, thanks for the input.  Exactly what you stated about aftermarket parts is what I knew and was afraid of, but sometimes you have to hear it from someone else.  I am very fortunate to have purchased an all original, numbers matching complete car, 39 years ago.  I have been able to refurbish/restore/save 90% of the parts on the car, its the last 5-10% that will be the challenge, the hunt is on.  Again, anyone that can help with primarily rear tail lights and bezels, as in excellent used or a good quality new, let me know.  I will have my set for sale soon.

[Mopar Nut]

Check out Tony's Parts for new, used and NOS parts.

http://www.tonysparts.com/