Original v's N.O.S. v's Repo

[agr071]

In relation to my other question about anal resto's.
What would you prefer to use?

Original
New Old Stock
Repo

[stickthis]

tough one...

Repro. This can mean good or crap.

NOS this can mean good or crap. EG stickers or rubber that are 30 years old are not as good as a good quality repro.

But I would prefer to use original if possible and if it can be repaired to NOS standard.

[jennie285]

generally Rodney reckons original new old stock first, good second hand 2nd, as these always fit better, thirdly repro do appear to be some varying grades of quality, and rares are not the only people who do reproduce things.

It comes down to good advice from the forum...

[wbute]

All depends on how good original is and if you can find NOS at a good price. And some things just have to be repro like door trims.

[Blocker]

Great thread agr071!

I prefer Repo - cause you take what someone else has done all the work oh you meant Repro

[abncraig]

it all comes down to cost... think you got to research your product and work out what you want to do for your rebuild. I know I want a car that looks good and 90% correct but I won't be spending a fortune on NOS if good repro stuff is available,

[Rolla]

generally Rodney reckons original new old stock first, good second hand 2nd, as these always fit better, thirdly do appear to be some varying grades of quality, and rares are not the only people who do reproduce things.

It comes down to good advice from the forum...

I agree with Jennie. I generally go with new old stock first followed by good original second hand parts. Hmm i tend to steer clear from repo. Just isn't me. I guess you could say I'm a bit anal...

[HK1837]

NOS is good, but a lot of NOS stuff coming onto the market in the last 10 years was junk as it was GMH rejects that someone bought by the container load and dumped on Ebay. It all comes down to price.

[ozbox]

cost in buying quality should never be a factor because in the long run it WILL cost you more unless you can repair the second hand stuff that needs work which 90% of car restorers cannot..
ill take nos first ..
then good quality reproduction second..
and then original second hand..
even some of the not so good reproduction is better than chasing your arse across the country looking for elusive second hand ..
when it comes down to it the repro has a slight difference that most people will not know unless they get in your car and examine it with a magnifying glass..
most peoples perception of reproduction...[heres that 90% again]...is not from first hand experience,it is from what they have read on internet forums about non fitment or quality..
the 90%ers generally are good at pulling shit apart and never put them back together..
the 90%ers are also the people that for some reason influence there friends with there mechanical wisdom and this is generally where the misconception of reproduction parts being crap come from...END RANT...

--- Updated ---

Reproduction is at the bottom of my list unless it is Australian made, then I will give it a higher consideration if I can't find nice used.
The problem is knowing what is made here and what is not.

My van was mostly made in Australia, I would like to keep it that way as much as I can.

i would dearly love to buy oz made products but its NOT possible..

if a reproduction product is contracted to be made by an australian for an australian market with quality in mind then its going to be better than its comparable original item and it will be affordable ...in the end it doesnt matter where its made as long as its good and affordable..

btw...if you really research your vans oem parts you may be very surprised to discover that more of it is offshore production than you think..

[stickthis]

NOS is good, but a lot of NOS stuff coming onto the market in the last 10 years was junk as it was GMH rejects that someone bought by the container load and dumped on Ebay. It all comes down to price.

Well said! Like ball joints. I have here some ball joints. NOS holden. But I will NOT use them. Reason is there was a few different part numbers over the years for them. There was also a bad batch one old parts bloke told me. That failed! They where recalled. Now not all would have been handed back. Some parts guys may have held onto them. Now these ball joints sell for $100 each + on ebay. Are they the good ones or the recalled ones? There is no way to tell.....