Real Stage 1 distributor

Discussion in 'Ebay Parts and Cars' started by UNDERDOG350, Apr 25, 2007.

  1. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Another one surfaces...

    1112016
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    This may be a good barometer on how parts prices are affected with the current market. The last one I remember went for $1400 correct?
     
  3. TuBBeD

    TuBBeD Well-Known Member

    Wow...You guys make it so difficult to resolve a problem that's easily solved.

    The way I look at it is, if the stamping of the distributor is any different than the stamping originally found on a stage 1 distributor, than it's classified as a restamp. If the tooling that's used on the restamped distributor is the same used on a stage 1 distributor, then it is considered an original. Other than the stamping, an original and non-original stage 1 distributor is made of the same material. There is no difference other than the stamping to identify where it came from. I personally, wouldn't pay an extrodinary amount for a stage 1 distributor, because the rare ones are now duplicated and there's no way of telling. So, the distributor is only worth the cost of a restamped one. Alot of guys here are debating the issue, because it affects the value of their car. If I was to purchase a stage 1, I could care less if it was a restamp or an original. I wouldn't buy a car just for the matching number distributor that's in it. There's more substance which makes up the value of the car than one little piece that it's comprised of. Now, if you're talking about a car that's rebodied, then that's another story. Some parts are valued more than others, and distributors aren't one of those parts that are needed to determine the worthiness of a car.
     
  4. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Donny,

    As you know, I bought a distributor from you a while back. I wouldnt call it a "re-stamp", because it was a blank to begin with. I like it, and I am dang glad I bought it, and dang glad you made them available to those of us who either dont need, dont want, or cant afford a $2200 "real" Stage distributor.

    I think your offering the blanks with Stage stamping is a great thing. It allows those of us who want correct numbers to get what we want, while allowing others the opportunity at the original big $$ stuff that they need.

    This also allows the guy who has a correct part (but doesnt necessarily need or want it when a restamp will suit his needs and wants just fine), to pass the correct big $$ part on to someone who does NEED it, and he can then take the big $$ he gets for his correct part and apply it to his own needs and wants.

    BTW, I have not seen the first one of you who are bitching to Donny about his "restamps" bitching to Duane about his repro GSX wheels. I bought one of Duanes wheels a couple years ago. Very nice, indistinguishable from an original, other than it was in much better condition than most originals at a small fraction of the cost. I have since sold that wheel to a board member here who, as far as I can tell, is very happy with it. And I dont think Duanes morals were compromised for bringing his repro to market, nor were mine compromised when I re sold it at a later date.

    And how about the other items that are available? Overflow jugs, top radiator hoses, 4 speed linkage, 15" steering wheels, N25 bumpers, grills? Should those items have remained unavailable in order to salvage our morals? I think not. In fact, I think if it were not for guys like Donny and Duane, we would still be back in the stone ages with our Buicks. Its guys like this who have brought us to where we are today.

    And I applaud them for it. :TU:
     
  5. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    :TU: :TU:

    Stated perfectly :TU:

    Its not comparing apples to apples, a restamped carb, dist or block is not the same as a overflow jug, GSX wheel or radiator hose in my book. I would not pay more for a car just because it had its original radiator hose or overflow jug :Dou: but I did pay more because it had its original motor and trans.

    Not trying to flame or pick a fight, just stating my opinion like everyone else :bglasses:
     
  6. jimhirt

    jimhirt 1970 Stage 1 19A, 1970 GS

    I good thing that has come to my mind. The person whom bought this distributor should print this thread. He will then have the some proper docs to show it is real if he ever chooses to sell. :TU: . Documentation:confused: :Smarty: I had a small dog in this bid process on Ebay. I stepped out at $200 and yes it is correct for my stage1.Document, Document and Document. The time has come!!!
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2007
  7. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Ok. For now forget about the "cars", and think about the "parts".

    So if I have a repro Duane GSX wheel, and you are looking for an original X wheel for your X resto, and I sell you my repro for $3200 (after paying Duane $400) you will be fine with it? I mean, the X wheel is different than other GS wheels, as we all know, which is somewhat like a stamping. Otherwise indistinguishable from all originals. Would you consider this apples and apples?

    I'm not knocking Duane either. I hope you all know that. I think his wheels are great, just like Donnies distribs. Is taking a restamp and reselling as the real thing legit. Of course not wether its a restored GSX or a Stage 1 carb. But dont knock Donnie or question his morals. He is selling them for what they are, to guys who want the right "numbers" on their cars but maybe cant afford it. Dont knock him, knock the guys who tries to pass it on as the real thing. Thats what feedback is for.
     
  8. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    I see what you are saying but if you were to buy a GSX or Stage 1 that was represented as being numbers matching and you found out it had a restamped dist, block and carb would you be pissed that you paid more $ for it than you would for the same car that was represented as not having the original dist, block and carb? I know I would

    You can see by my posts that I would not be fine with buying a misrepresented "said original" part and I would be really pissed if someone did that to me. I don't put washer jugs, decals, interior parts in the same catagory as carbs, dist, blocks, rears and trans, but thats just me.

    All this restamping stuff does is open the door for someone to get screwed down the line and hopefully not by the person who first purchased the restamped part.

    Looks like some of us are always going to have a difference of opinion on the restamping topic so this discussion could go on and on and on :boring: I just think it will hurt the value of the truely "original" cars down the road.

    :beers2:
     
  9. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    If you want a glimpse into the future of our cars, look at the Chevelle SS crowd.

    There were somrething like 20 1970 Chevelle SS LS6 4 speed convertibles made. Barret Jackson has probably sold over a hundred of these themselves. And every one was fully documented, date coded, matching numbers with all the original paperwork. :rolleyes:

    There are some real Rembrandts out there. We just have to get better at identifying the restamps.
     
  10. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    You better believe I would be upset. BUT, I wouldnt be pissed at Donny or Duane, unless they sold me the car.

    I can live with that.

    No more than the rebody, or vin swap, both of which have been going on for many many years. Same as block restamps. Been going on for many years. Long before Donny and Duane came out with their parts.

    Boy, now thats an understatement. :laugh: Thats the great thing about this hobby. Some guys want em ALL ORIGINAL, some want to mod em up. I marvel everytime I go to the Nationals how everyone does it a little different.
     
  11. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    I thought that vin swap and block restamps were actually a crime in most states :puzzled: and I know it has been going on for a long time. Was'nt there just a guy arrested last year for selling a vin swap/restamp Hemi Cuda for big $.

    Not sure how Duane got pulled into this because I feel this has nothing to do with his parts at all and I will not even try to speak for him on this issue. I don't know Donny and I am sure he is a great guy but I just don't condone what he is doing but that is really not a problem because I will never be able to afford a real "factory" Stage 1 anyways (maybe I will once there are more available than were ever produced, (like Chevelle SS's) with restamped VINs and motor parts :rolleyes: ).

    Heck, I make reproduction window stickers so who am I to say anything :bla: My stickers look good but they could never be passed off as original and "this is not an original GM window price sticker" is printed on them.
    (my stickers do look good so don't be afraid to buy one :TU: shameless plug)

    Thanks Jim R. and the others for keeping this post civilized :TU:
    We all have our own opinions....

    :beers2:
     
  12. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    Duanes wheels have the date code, and the indistinguishable look and feel of an authentic GSX wheel.

    Rad hoses, yes they do.

    Overflow bottles, since the original part numbers were on decals I would have to say no. But, there is nothing on them to distinguish them from an authentic original either.

    How about the repro radiator tags?
    How about the repro BB transmission tags?
     
  13. donny1973

    donny1973 Well-Known Member

    Jim Rogers - Thanks for going to bat for me on this topic.

    I've spoken my piece in earlier posts in this thread, but I feel I need to chime in again as some appear to be questioning my character. The upshot is this:

    With all due respect to those who "don't condone what I'm doing", there is a simple solution. Don't buy a distributor. Not to be a smart ass, but this being a capitalist society, if the majority feels the way you do, there will be no demand, therefore no need for the supply. Fundamental economics.

    Those who have purchased distributors, I thank you again and hope you're happy with the parts. If anyone else would like one, I have a couple of blanks left.

    This may all be a moot point as it appears my blank supply may finally be exhausted anyway. On to the next subject.

    Regards,
    Donny
     
  14. Jim Rodgers

    Jim Rodgers Well-Known Member

    And while we are on the subject I wanted to get you guys opinions on a few things.

    You go out and spend BIG $$ on an unrestored but mint 70 GSX. It was sold to you as "all original", "all numbers match". You check numbers and date codes and everything checks out. Ok.

    Now consider this. Engine, trans, rear, distrib and carb numbers do indeed match. However, the carb and distrib, while not "original to the car", are original "numbers matching" parts, but were purchased off of ebay and installed on the car since the "original" carb and distrib were long gone.

    How would you feel about this if you were the buyer? How about if you were the seller? Is the car worth as much since it doesnt have "IT'S" original carb and distrib that it left the factory with?
     
  15. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    It all depends on how anal retentive you are about these things. Some people are happy just having the correct casting numbers on the car. While others wouldnt be able to sleep at night knowing the date codes were off.

    I think most of us just like having the right castings
     
  16. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    $898!!!!!
    Anyone have a noose I can borrow? :rant:
    I had a NOS one of these (016) and I used it on my Riviera and another used one that I sold for $120 and thought I made a killing!
     
  17. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    You want a reality check? Open up a GSXtra from around 1984 and check out the prices!
     
  18. Mike Trom

    Mike Trom Platinum Level Contributor

    Don't worry, you have a deal :TU:

    No further commets on the rest of your text...or this post, time to move on as you said :3gears:

    :beer
     
  19. farmer!boy

    farmer!boy Well-Known Member

    Mine does, I was lucky to get a car nobody changed those inportant parts. And to buy a car that was owned by the second owner for 34 years. Bob & Patty came to Bowling Green this year to see their old car. He was proud to tell me my GSX was the only car to have the correct original brake booster (also has original master cylinder) We call each other a few times a year. A great buyer-seller friendship. Pat
     
  20. Duane

    Duane Member

    Thanks to all for the "Kudos" about my 70 GSX wheels being virtually indistinguishable from the originals. By the way, that is what I thought all reproducers were striving for, to make their parts look just like the original pieces. (Although it does appear that some reproducers haven't gotten the memo about this.):laugh:

    But, just to bust everyone's bubble, there are some slight differences between my wheels and originals, and the "quote" date code we build into the wheels only makes them valid for the second half of the GSX run, so as mentioned above I can tell them apart.
    Duane

    PS. I have no interest in making other "date codes" available for the wheels, so don't even ask. We only put them in to plug up the injection ports. We had to do something, and my mold guy decided to make them look as close to the originals as he could.

    PSS. There are no part numbers on my wheels. Contrary to popular belief not every part came with a part number cast/stamped into them.

    Now back to the bitch session.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2007

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