[First Bird]

Bought some repops due to collision damage and corrosion of originals. I was surprised at how thin and flexible they were. Yesterday I broke one while test fitting it in the holes in the quarter panel! These things are FRAGILE.

Does someone make a higher quality piece? If so, who? I ask because in the past I've tried to buy a better replacement part, but I just ended up buying the same part at a much higher price from another vendor. It's so hard to tell from pictures online and catalogs.

Your advice appreciated.

[chrisp]

I am not surprised always a problem with most repo. parts , if they are that soft the studs will probably break off during installation . May have some decent originals if needed .

[First Bird]

Actually the piece broke in half. The studs are OK. Chris, are you saying you have a set of decent originals? I might be interested . . .

[chrisp]

Will dig them out for a look . thanks

[quicksilver97ta]

TrimParts brand is what was recommended to me and I found them to be not quite original but very acceptable when replacing a set. They were not flimsy, if anything they were a little thick.

[Cammer-6]

this is comical
first repop Firebird 1/4s had the stamping of "gills" too small.
the fix was to repop a chevron that was also too small,but fit the repop ones.

When using OEM 1/4s keep in mind that they actually made a first and second design chevron.

[First Bird]

Part number is CM8520 for $64.95. Bought these from Classic 9 months ago.

Quicksilver Thanks for the lead on TrimParts. Found them for sale but they have the part number 8520 associated with them. Exact same part?
Cammer-6 Luckily my right quarter panel replacement has the original size gills. Why does a bird have gills?
ChrisP I appreciate your effort to locate those.

[Donovan]

strange

years back about the 1995 timeframe I bought repo lug nuts from Classic.... They were threaded METRIC!

[quicksilver97ta]

Its been a few years and I dont have the part # available. I got them from PY or Ames. I will look for a paper trail and see if I can track down a #.

[PLAY400]

New 1's are crap. Bought a set in the early 90s but ended up scrounging some old ones that weren't as bad a some of my originals. AND I just found the same thing out about the drip mouldings, cheap, flimsy and poor fitting. Going to get my originals polished.

[fyrebird68]

Trimparts are a close fit and of good quality. Several years ago I did a write-up comparing several vendors quarter gills and badging. Compared fit, shape, thickness, etc. Classic Parts came in last, Trimparts came in first.

My website was killed, but I think I still have the article.

[First Bird]

Thanks fyrebird68. That is very helpful information. Consensus is TrimParts. Much thanks to all for your help. I'll post with quality of the TP gills.

[quicksilver97ta]

Couldn't find anything I had with a part #. It was probably '07 or '08 though when I bought them.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Can originals be re-chromed?? I have like a set and a half or so. I still need to use some on my car. But was curious if they can me rechromed and who would be a good place to send them too ?? I also need my vent window frame,channel, and quarter glass seal channel re-chromed. Would like to get them all done at once.

[First Bird]

I don't know about chroming Ragtop, usually that's expensive compared to replacement. Thanks to fyrebird68, I ordered the replacement Quarter Louver from Trim Parts. They are the same part number 8520, but are much better quality than the Classic Industries part. The Trim Part louvers are like jewels - heavy, fit well, great chrome, (didn't break during installation). I wish I would have known before I started ordering parts from random suppliers that Trim Parts was so good. I have their side marker bezels and door handles too.

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Originally Posted by First Bird

I don't know about chroming Ragtop, usually that's expensive compared to replacement. Thanks to fyrebird68, I ordered the replacement Quarter Louver from Trim Parts. They are the same part number 8520, but are much better quality than the Classic Industries part. The Trim Part louvers are like jewels - heavy, fit well, great chrome, (didn't break during installation). I wish I would have known before I started ordering parts from random suppliers that Trim Parts was so good. I have their side marker bezels and door handles too.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll give trim parts a look.

[Cammer-6]

I think Bill P in New York makes some heavy ones

[First Bird]

Now that I understand these Quarter Panel Louvers better, I wish I would not have called them horrible and here's why: They are shorter to fit a reproduction quarter panel. Some of you may already know this but I didn't. The beautifully made louvers from Trim Parts would not fit my replacement quarter panel.

Instead of saying the cheaply made, shorter louvers were horrible I should have instead been grateful that the aftermarket makes not one, but two pieces of trim for a car that had two model years almost half a century ago.

[Cammer-6]

so another victim

see the ongoing post on cheap azz parts

[fyrebird68]

Originally Posted by Cammer-6

I think Bill P in New York makes some heavy ones

Is this Bill's Birds? If so, I looked at those as well. They were also incorrectly formed to fit on my original quarter panels.