Replacing The Exhaust On Your Vintage Car With Period Correct Parts

Owning a vintage car that you are trying to keep period correct or restoring to its original condition often means finding parts that are no longer available from the manufacturer. A vintage Chevy Corvette exhaust system, for instance, can be challenging to find in an OE part, but there are sources for it that can offer an alternative that looks and functions just like the original system.

Reproduction Parts

Many times the best way to find parts for a vintage vehicle is to consider new reproduction parts from a manufacturer that is working to recreate the original part for the car. Old Chevy Corvette exhaust systems are one of the parts you may need and can often get through a reproduction parts dealer or manufacturer. 

The parts should fit your Corvette just like new parts but are often the only option available in some markets. It is crucial to read reviews of the exhaust system from people that have used the pieces because there are some companies making reproduction products that do not have the same quality as the OE (original equipment) exhaust, so you may need to search a few different dealers to get the best product for your car.

Check with the dealer or manufacturer to see what is included in the Chevy Corvette exhaust system when you purchase it. When replacing the exhaust system, older cars often need hangers, clamps, and other small accessories. Finding a complete kit that you can install without buying additional parts is a good option and is not overly challenging if you do some research.

New Old Stock 

Another option that may be available to you for your vintage Chevy Corvette exhaust system is something called new old stock or NOS parts. New old stock refers to OE parts made by the car manufacturer or their vendor for replacement parts and are often found hanging out in forgotten storage areas in dealerships or repair shops dating back to when the car was manufactured. 

NOS Chevy Corvette exhaust systems are not very common, so it is like striking gold if you find one somewhere. The parts are typically in pristine condition and may be in a sealed box that was never opened after being placed on a shelf. Often these parts are still in the dealer's inventory, but no one has asked about them in years, so they remain sitting. 

If you are looking for an OE replacement Chevy Corvette exhaust system for a vintage model, it can't hurt to call a few dealers near you to see if they may have any new old stock on the shelf that is available to you. Installing these exhaust systems may be more challenging than a more recent kit, but the parts are direct replacements from the manufacturer and will keep your vintage car original if you can find them.

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