Corvette Parts Blog

Corvette Spark Plug Wires

We now have factory spark plug wires available for 1975-1982 Corvettes. The spark plug wires are fabricated by the original equipment manufacture, Packard Industries, who continues to produce correct looking spark plug wires for Corvettes. These 8mm wires are manufactured from the original tooling and include correct Packard Delcore II wire, which uses a special Kevlar silicone wrapped construction to prevent breaks and cracks in the conductor. The boots of the C3 Corvette Spark Plug Wires are made of the correct material, to the original thickness, with the knobs on the end for the distributor retainer; the terminals are stainless steel. These are not generic sets of spark plug wires; each set includes correct length wires for an easy, clean factory installation and is 100% Made in USA.

Corvette Ignition, Corvette Reproduction Spark Plug Wire Sets, Corvette Spark Plug Wires, Packard Spark Plug Wires

We have carried 1958-1962 Corvette Park Light Assemblies for a while and we are now proud to offer them for 1953-1957 Corvettes. The 1953-1955E and 1955L-1957 Corvette Park Light Assemblies include pre-assembled lenses, bezels, gaskets, reflector cups, bulbs, sockets, and grommets with the correct wiring harness and mounting brackets. Both kits come as a car set and will restore that brilliant showroom look to the exterior of any C1 Corvette. Visit our 1953-1962 Corvette Headlight & Lamp section to see all of our C1 Corvette headlight components, bulb kits, park light assemblies and more.

1953-1957 Corvette Park Light Assemblies

1953-1962 Corvette Lamps, C1 Corvette Lights, Corvette Lights, Corvette Park Light Assemblies

1960-1962 Corvette Gauges

If you own a 1960-1962 Corvette you may know that your Corvette’s Fuel Gauge, Oil Pressure Gauge, Temperature Gauge, & Battery/Ammeter Gauge have never been available to purchase new. We are here to let you know that searching old junkyards and bargaining at swap meets for these 1960-1962 Corvette gauges will no longer be necessary, these gauges are now available at Zip Products! Every fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, & battery/ammeter gauge for your Corvette includes the original graphics for judging purposes, but new electronics for more accurate readings.

With the addition of these never before sold C1 Corvette Gauges you can now add that factory original finish to your Corvette’s gauge cluster. Our new gauges, paired with small gauge lenses and twin bezels, will give you that 100% original 1960-1962 Corvette look while providing much more accurate readings. Don’t settle for second rate or used 1960-1962 Corvette Gauges anymore. Buy new gauges for your Corvette at Zip!

1960-1962 Corvette Gauges, C1 Corvette Gauges, Corvette Ammeter Gauge, Corvette Battery Gauge, Corvette Fuel Gauge, Corvette Gauge Cluster, Corvette Gauges, Corvette Oil Gauge, Corvette Temperature Gauge

Chrome Corvette Wheels look great no matter what year, body style, or color your Corvette may be. They are not exactly the cheapest upgrade over the stock Corvette Wheels, but as most people would agree, the brilliance added to the Corvette from a new set of chrome wheels is well worth the cost. For those of you who have spent your fare share of money purchasing chrome Corvette Wheels here are a few recommendations that should help you get the most out of your purchase.

Corvette Chrome Wheels

Before your chrome wheels are installed on your Corvette for the first time we recommend purchasing some of Adam’s Americana Premium Carnauba Paste Wax. The paste wax is very important as this is what will ultimately protect your chrome wheels from contaminants. Once your chrome wheels have been installed on your Corvette apply the carnauba paste wax to the wheels as you would normally apply the wax to the Corvette. By waxing your chrome Corvette Wheels you are essentially filling in all of the small pores in the chrome, creating a protective layer between the wheel and brake dust or any other corroding substances. While in between waxings we recommend cleaning your Chrome Corvette Wheels with basic soap and water. Any special chrome wheel cleaner can strip the wax, which could do more harm then good as the wheels age. Every two months or so it would be good to re-wax the wheels so the protective layer is always kept fresh.

Caranuba Paste Wax, Chrome Corvette Wheels, Chrome Wheels, Corvette Wheels

Stainless steel Corvette Brake Hoses are excellent performance upgrades over rubber hoses because they do not expand under pressure, which gives you a firmer feeling pedal with a quicker braking response. Our new Stainless Steel Brake Hose Set for 1953-1962 Corvettes will give your Corvette just that. These braided stainless steel Corvette Brake Hoses comply with USA Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and are 100% made in the USA. Each Corvette brake hose set comes with the three necessary braided stainless steel hoses, three “U” clips, and three copper washers for installation.

53-62 Corvette Stainless Brake Hoses

Stainless Steel Corvette Brake Hose Set Features:

• D.O.T. compliant
• Race proven & street legal
• Harder/firmer brake pedal
• Greater heat resistance
• Direct bolt-on application
• Shorter stopping distances

Not sure stainless steel Corvette Brake Hoses are for you? Consider this: Stainless steel braided brake hoses are far superior to rubber brake hoses because the rubber hoses expand under pressure. Think of the rubber brake hoses as your garden hose; when you turn the water on you can see the hose expanding as the water pressure in the garden hose increases. Stainless Steel braided brake hoses do not expand under pressure giving you a firmer, faster, more responsive brake pedal. They are also much safer and last longer than rubber brake hoses. Your Corvette’s Brakes are one component that CAN’T fail. Don’t risk it; replace your old rubber hoses today.

Corvette Braided Brake Hoses, Corvette Brake Hoses, Corvette Brakes, Corvette Stainless Steel Brake Hoses, Stainless vs Rubber Corvette Brake Hoses

The 1956-1962 Corvette Wiper Arms were cable-driven from the Corvette’s Wiper Motor. A drum behind the firewall rotated multiple cables to each transmission. Fortunately, these transmission cables do not require adjustment on a regular basis; however, when adjustment is needed, either from cable stretching or following a new installation, Chevrolet designed a system where cable tension can be increased by simply pressing on the outer end of the transmission shaft.

Corvette Wiper Transmission

To illustrate, each transmission has two spools – one for each drive cable. The inside face of each spool has cast teeth locking them together. When the transmission shaft is pressed down, the two spools separate and an internal spring allows the spools to rotate to their tightest position. Once pressure is removed from the transmission shaft, the spools are locked together again and the cables are tight against the wiper motor drum. When removing the transmission, the operation will require the help of an additional person. With one person pressing down on the wiper transmission shaft to “unlock” the spools, the second person (inside the Corvette) must pull against the cables, rotating the spools against the pressure of the spring. Once all the necessary slack is obtained, the wiper transmission shaft can be released and the spools will lock together. This slack will allow the cables to be removed from the wiper motor drum. The Corvette’s Wiper Transmission can then be removed.

Corvette Wiper Arms, Corvette Wiper Motor, Corvette Wiper Transmission, Restoration Tips

Open up a Zip Corvette Parts restoration catalog and you will find just about anything you are looking for when it comes to restoring a Corvette. From frame crossmembers and Corvette Suspension Kits to Corvette Weatherstrip Packages and a whole lot more, we try to make your Corvette restoration as painless as possible. We also understand that not everyone is performing a frame off restoration but instead, just need to touch up a few small areas. In the midst of the thousands of Corvette Parts, we have many cost efficient items that can make a big difference for your Corvette. Here are a few of our most commonly sold items that you may be in need of:

Tachometer Cable Adapter

Corvette Tachometer Cable Adapter: 1962-1974 Corvette tachometer cables are famous for breaking due to the awkward position they were originally installed. If you have replaced you Corvette’s tachometer cable a few times, or are changing it for the first time, you can install one of our tachometer cable 90 degree adapters, which takes the strain off the cable itself. By installing this adapter you can now keep your Corvette’s tachometer cable well greased and undamaged over time.

Door Hinge Pin & Bushing Kit

Corvette Door Hinge Pin & Bushing Kit: One item that almost every 1953-1982 Corvette could use at some point is a door hinge pin and bushing kit. The doors on these Corvette’s are not light plus they are over 30 years old so sagging is almost impossible to avoid. With this inexpensive door hinge pin and bushing kit you can get rid of those sagging doors for good. Each kit comes with enough pins and bushings to do both doors and will work with your Corvette’s original door hinges. Many vendors will sell you pins that are too long and you have to cut them yourself. Make sure to ask before you buy, Zip sells the correct length door pins to make it easier for you.

Rally Wheel Silver Paint

Corvette Rally Wheel Silver Paint: Another money saver from Zip for 1967-1982 Corvette owners is our Corvette rally wheel silver paint. This rally wheel paint is a great alternative to buying a whole new set of rally wheels because if used correctly it can return your old rally wheels to “new” condition. Without ever removing your Corvette’s rally wheels you can simply remove the trim bands and center caps, wash the wheels thoroughly, lightly sand to remove any debris, remove remaining grit with an air hose, and paint away. Once the paint has dried reinstall your Corvette’s center caps and trim bands and appreciate the look of your new looking wheels. Read how to paint your Corvette’s rally wheels at CorvetteMagazine.com.

CAGS Disconnect Plug Kit

Corvette CAGS Disconnect Plug Kit: The CAGS disconnect plug will eliminate the computer’s 1st-to-4th shift in your 1989-2009 6-speed Corvette by disconnecting the computer aided gear selection system. This specially designed plug protects the loose ends of the harness from dirt and corrosion, while adding the resistance needed to eliminate “service engine” codes. No modifications to your Corvette’s wiring is necessary, the plug can easily be removed to restore original function. Read how to install the C5 & C6 Corvette CAGS Disconnect Plug Kit.

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The KHE series radios have become a popular alternative in 1958-1982 Corvettes. The combination of their old school looks and modern technology has proven to be a deciding factor among Corvette enthusiasts looking for both originality and performance. Zip Corvette stocks most of these KHE Series Corvette Radios for that very reason.

77-82 KHE 100 Series Corvette Radio

Each KHE Series Radio is designed to fit directly into your Corvette’s Dash Bezel without making any modifications. Because of their excellent fit and throwback look you can now enjoy your favorite tunes in your favorite car.

The KHE 100 Corvette Radio is designed to allow you to be able to listen to your music while not paying an unreasonable amount of money. This radio is perfect for someone who would like to have quality sounding music but does not have to have the absolute best. The features of this radio include the choice of a chrome or black face, AM/FM cassette with digital tuning, auto-reverse, locking FF & RW, separate bass & treble, 4-way fader, 20 presets (15FM/5AM) manual tuning, seek auto tune, preset scan, RCA pre-outs, clock, auto stereo – mono, auto antenna lead, auxiliary line for MP3 player or iPod, LCD with green illumination, 100 watts of power (25 x 4) for KHE 100, & 200 watts of power (50×4) for the KHE 200.

58-62 KHE 200 Series Corvette Radio

The KHE 200 Corvette Radio is the same as the KHE 100, only with a little more juice. All features are the exact same except the KHE 200 is backed by 200 watts of power; as opposed to 100 watts in the KHE 100. The added watts in the 200 series radio makes this model more popular for owners that may be interested in beefing up their Corvette’s sound system.

The KHE 300 Corvette Radio is the best radio to choose from when it comes to the combination of looks and modern technology. With the elimination of the cassette player you will be able to plug your iPod or MP3 Player directly into the face of the radio, ultimately removing cassette tapes and/or cd’s from your dash or floorboard. The 300 series radio includes 200 watts of power and only comes with a chrome face. The extra large buttons add the finishing touches that make this radio an excellent choice for 1958-1962 Corvette owners.

68-76 KHE Series Corvette Radio

Features of the KHE 300 radio include: aux input – front & rear (iPod, MP3, etc.), 4AM/12FM presets, manual up & down tuning, seek auto tune, auto stereo & mono, preset scan & auto store, front & rear fader control, on & off volume control, separate bass & treble control, left & right balance control, clock time & frequency selector, custom design to fit your Corvette’s dash, auto antenna power lead, LCD display with green back lighting, & 200 watts of power output (50×4).

With the latest addition of the KHE 300 radio for 1958-1962 Corvettes, Zip now has all three series available for all 1958-1982 Corvettes. Their genuine looks and outstanding performance make the KHE brand superior to its competition.

C1 Corvette Radios, C2 Corvette Radios, C3 Corvette Radios, Corvette Cassette, Corvette Music, Corvette Radio, Corvette Sound System, KHE Corvette Radios

Our customers keep sending us pictures and information about their Corvette projects and we love it! This one is truly unique. One of our Corvette Parts Dealers, Superior Glass Works, sent us this press release about very cool “Corvettes” they are building and selling. We can guarantee you haven’t seen many of these on the street…

Superior Glass Works has proudly introduced the Limited Edition Superior 54 Sport Wagon. Styled in tribute to the 1954 General Motors’ Motorama Corvette Nomad, The Superior 54 is enhanced with 21st century performance. Available only as a Complete Rolling Package, each will be delivered with the body and chassis fully assembled — ready for paint, interior, engine, wiring and other personal touches to create the Restomod, Custom, or Pro-Touring vehicle desired.

Superior 54

Manufactured in Oregon with the highest-quality, hand-laid composite and reinforced with a stout steel sub-structure, the body includes a complete set of custom-crafted window glass and chrome trim. The body’s stunning looks are complemented with modern conveniences such as power windows, power door locks and air conditioning.

“The Superior 54 Sport Wagon is a very special car,” said Brad Peterson, owner of Superior Glass Works. “There has always been a mystique surrounding the Motorama cars and we are excited to offer our Superior 54 to a select few looking to drive their own piece of history.”

Continue Reading This Article…

Resto-mod, Superior 54

Early Corvette Interiors featured a rich tapestry of different materials, textures, and surface finishes. One of the more outstanding features is the aluminum dash insert found in 1958-1962 Corvettes. Replacing the dash insert is not complicated but does require attention to detail and patience.

Aluminum Dash Insert

Begin by removing the screws holding the chrome escutcheons at each end of the passenger side grab bar. Slide the escutcheons toward the center of the bar to expose the screws hidden beneath them. Remove these screws and lift the bar out. Unscrew the nuts that retain the insert assembly to the dash by reaching behind the insert. Once the nuts are removed separate the insert assembly from the dash. Once the insert assembly is out you will see how it is put together. The delicate aluminum insert sits on a heavy steel backing and is held by thin stainless steel trim that clips over the edges of the aluminum and steel around the perimeter. The stainless trim is tack welded to the steel backing and you must cut the welds, a task best accomplished with a small grinder or rotary cutting tool. Take care not to cut beyond the weld or you risk damaging a part of the stainless trim that is visible. After the welds are ground pull the stainless off and separate the aluminum from the backing. Glass bead and paint the normally rusty backing and polish the stainless trim. Lay the new insert onto the backing and carefully clip the stainless back into position. Avoid touching the insert as it scratches easily and even the oil from your fingers can blemish it. Gently clamp the assembly so that both pieces of stainless fully seat. Apply a thin layer of two-part epoxy to the area where the stainless meets the steel backing on the reverse side. After the epoxy dries remove the clamps and reinstall your newly restored assembly.

Corvette Dash, Corvette Interior