CUTLASS The Parts Place Purchase of Oldsmobile REPRO Parts for Comparison
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Not if that's all they'll charge me for because they backordered a part. If they tag me AGAIN for another 8 bucks to ship a friggin' nose emblem currently on backorder, then yeah, 16 bucks for two emblems and a decal would be too fuggin' much.
I want to say this about repro stuff. I'm in no way an expert on repro'd stuff. But I've seen enough of the GM stuff vs. Repro to be able to tell a quality reproduction vs. a crappy one. Now, a chrome plastic repro part may look exactly like an NOS, so the longevity of the part and its finish would not be able to be told except over time.
I applaud the aftermarket for their attempts on making any reproduction part to make our favorite rides look a little better or at least the way the General made them. If we're lucky, the aftermarket could correct any potential flaws in the original parts that could actually make the repro parts better. Fat chance, but it's always a possibility. But if you're going to do a repro part, just go ahead and make it as best you can and don't be afraid of IMPROVING the part quality. Most of the azzhats who like to just make a quick buck selling crappy repro parts have no interest in making their parts better, so for those guys I can say this: there's a special place in auto parts hell for you.
But even NOS stuff may change slightly in appearance, shade, shapes, colors, etc., depending if the original manufacturer is still making the OTC part, or whether someone else got the contract. And...NOS stuff is only designed to fit and function like original, nothing more.
Now on to the decal...
At first blush, it looks pretty good. Same size on sections and length, width, etc. Fairly close with the yellow coloring. There's a couple things that are worth noting.
FONTS- The font looks fair on the repro. The "Caution" in yellow seems a bit thin, and not very clear. In the specs block where the Code number, part number, etc., reside, the font is off, as well as the size of the lettering, slightly. This is probably the "worst" area, along with the end "198" numbers. That said, doesn't make it horrible. It's in fairly good initial quality in my judgement. Most people needing a 198 decal probably wouldn't give it as much scrutiny as I do, so giving it a passing grade, I'd say it's about a C+. It could hop up to an A- if they'd fix the fonts. I took points off as well because the cutting has shifted on the decal leaving a white-ish strip along the top.
I'm not going to worry about the Code Number spot on the repro being "filled in" with a number. They do that for a lot of compressors, but for mine, which is original to the car, doesn't have a code number stamped in. Don't know why, but there you go.
But other than that, I'd probably use it if I had to, but I still may make my own. Jury will still be out on this one. Final analysis: Passable for most applications, but if you're restoring one, not the greatest.
I applaud the aftermarket for their attempts on making any reproduction part to make our favorite rides look a little better or at least the way the General made them. If we're lucky, the aftermarket could correct any potential flaws in the original parts that could actually make the repro parts better. Fat chance, but it's always a possibility. But if you're going to do a repro part, just go ahead and make it as best you can and don't be afraid of IMPROVING the part quality. Most of the azzhats who like to just make a quick buck selling crappy repro parts have no interest in making their parts better, so for those guys I can say this: there's a special place in auto parts hell for you.
But even NOS stuff may change slightly in appearance, shade, shapes, colors, etc., depending if the original manufacturer is still making the OTC part, or whether someone else got the contract. And...NOS stuff is only designed to fit and function like original, nothing more.
Now on to the decal...
At first blush, it looks pretty good. Same size on sections and length, width, etc. Fairly close with the yellow coloring. There's a couple things that are worth noting.
FONTS- The font looks fair on the repro. The "Caution" in yellow seems a bit thin, and not very clear. In the specs block where the Code number, part number, etc., reside, the font is off, as well as the size of the lettering, slightly. This is probably the "worst" area, along with the end "198" numbers. That said, doesn't make it horrible. It's in fairly good initial quality in my judgement. Most people needing a 198 decal probably wouldn't give it as much scrutiny as I do, so giving it a passing grade, I'd say it's about a C+. It could hop up to an A- if they'd fix the fonts. I took points off as well because the cutting has shifted on the decal leaving a white-ish strip along the top.
I'm not going to worry about the Code Number spot on the repro being "filled in" with a number. They do that for a lot of compressors, but for mine, which is original to the car, doesn't have a code number stamped in. Don't know why, but there you go.
But other than that, I'd probably use it if I had to, but I still may make my own. Jury will still be out on this one. Final analysis: Passable for most applications, but if you're restoring one, not the greatest.
Another word about the Oldsmobile dash emblem: If yours is unbroken, but just worn, and the chrome isn't good anymore, you could save $29 and get one of those silver paint pens and re-paint the raised lettering of the emblem. You'd end up with the same thing as the repro, pretty much.
UPDATE as of TODAY 11/18/2020:
The Parts Place has shipped the Repro Nose rocket emblem for 87/88. Got a tracking number (obviously administratively issued at this point).
So it's been about 6 weeks since I ordered it. Went on backorder immediately. It's not like I needed it, but just wanted to compare for the masses. Maybe they have them in stock now. China felt safe to ship them now that they think they're in the clear.
The Parts Place has shipped the Repro Nose rocket emblem for 87/88. Got a tracking number (obviously administratively issued at this point).
So it's been about 6 weeks since I ordered it. Went on backorder immediately. It's not like I needed it, but just wanted to compare for the masses. Maybe they have them in stock now. China felt safe to ship them now that they think they're in the clear.
Nose rocket finally got here today. I must admit, other than a few teeny flaws, it's a spittin' image of the NOS unit. Sized correctly, the mounting pin is the right length and apparent correct size, in fact, the back, looks darn near identical to the NOS unit except for the cheezy chrome fadeout on the back of the NOS unit. My guess is that it was reverse engineered.
At first blush, it's spot on. Careful observation came up with these flaws compared to NOS:
- ruby red color not quite as deep, or ruby-ish as the NOS. Pretty close though. Unless you see an original in excellent shape nearby to compare it to, you probably wouldn't be able to tell. This could be some various reasons, but it's a hair lighter and more red. Probably didn't account for the chrome backing on the rocket lightening the red once the ruby color was placed in. Can't really tell from the pictures, but it appears like a first stage of red fading on the emblem. Do not know how well it will hold up in the sun. My bet is- not too good.
- there's a small divot, or hole, in the chrome "wing" on the LH side of the rocket when looking at it. Probably a nick in the chrome during assembly is my guess. Not too noticable except my job was to critique the part. So...it's a flaw. The tip of the right wing of the rocket looks a bit wavy too, but I'll let it slide. You really got to look close to see that.
- the silver painted perimeter looks gnarled on the bottom right hand corner, typical like a tape mask was put on wrong or something and lifted a bit of paint there. Nothing terrible, but I noticed.
Overall quality and shape looked excellent, those minor flaws not withstanding. It's better than passable, and unless you saw the backside of it, you'll likely have a hard time determining if it's a repro or NOS.
Here's the pics. I wasn't going to take the NOS one out of the bag. I may not be able to tell which was which (oh wait, I can ).
Is it worth the $59??? If you need one and yours is toast, it's a far cry better than trying to find an NOS one, and if you did, paying the NOS price. Still, nothing beats the NOS unit. Not yet, anyway.
At first blush, it's spot on. Careful observation came up with these flaws compared to NOS:
- ruby red color not quite as deep, or ruby-ish as the NOS. Pretty close though. Unless you see an original in excellent shape nearby to compare it to, you probably wouldn't be able to tell. This could be some various reasons, but it's a hair lighter and more red. Probably didn't account for the chrome backing on the rocket lightening the red once the ruby color was placed in. Can't really tell from the pictures, but it appears like a first stage of red fading on the emblem. Do not know how well it will hold up in the sun. My bet is- not too good.
- there's a small divot, or hole, in the chrome "wing" on the LH side of the rocket when looking at it. Probably a nick in the chrome during assembly is my guess. Not too noticable except my job was to critique the part. So...it's a flaw. The tip of the right wing of the rocket looks a bit wavy too, but I'll let it slide. You really got to look close to see that.
- the silver painted perimeter looks gnarled on the bottom right hand corner, typical like a tape mask was put on wrong or something and lifted a bit of paint there. Nothing terrible, but I noticed.
Overall quality and shape looked excellent, those minor flaws not withstanding. It's better than passable, and unless you saw the backside of it, you'll likely have a hard time determining if it's a repro or NOS.
Here's the pics. I wasn't going to take the NOS one out of the bag. I may not be able to tell which was which (oh wait, I can
).Is it worth the $59??? If you need one and yours is toast, it's a far cry better than trying to find an NOS one, and if you did, paying the NOS price. Still, nothing beats the NOS unit. Not yet, anyway.
Oldsmobile Cult of America... very cliquey seems like the only think they care about is 68-72 stuff, especially on the FB group page, left that group. Not renewing my membership...
The chrome borders are narrower and the corners are rounded too, not bad for a driver replacement.
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