What are "Counterpart" parts?

[Gapgap]

I'd like to add a comment. I'd gotten a horn button retainer from classic parts out of Kansas City along with a lot of other items as part of a restoration of my 52 Chevy Pickup. I opened the horn button retainer about 8 to 10 weeks after I received my order. The horn button retainer had a broken clip. This happens. Classic Parts told me they basically have a 30 warranty and I was basically SOL. I called Counterpart Automotive in California and they honored their part and sent me a new one that next afternoon.

[C10forDad]

Reviving this post after receiving something from Vintage Air that was a white labeled part from Counterpart.
The product is very nice, but wasn't expecting this.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I use the Counterpart ignition switch & tumbler on a 56 pickup I was working on.
I got it all installed & realized you can turn the switch on, off & start with any thing. Screwdriver, any key, or coin. The key would come out with the switch on or off. I took it back to the store & they started bringing out some others from stock just like it. We tried them all & it was the same thing.
This was a few years ago so they have probably corrected it by now.

George

[custom10nut]

As 70cst says, it’s hit or miss with the “Counterparts” line.
Unfortunately, all the Repop parts are made outside the US, so the quality is lacking, at best.
I like to use Car and Truck shop because their customer service is phenomenal.
When I lived in SC, I made about three trips a year to the shop in Concorde NC, and they never questioned whenever I found defective parts. I’ve also had a few parts that I mail ordered, and after a phone all, I had a replacement on the way and was told “just keep the other one”.

[1970cstblazer]

The few repro parts I have used on my 1970 Blazer resurrection have been Counterpart. Overall, no issues with fit, finish or function. I do strive to use GM parts, but sometimes that is not economically feasible or possible at all.

[MikeB]

I've personally had good luck with Counterparts, although I've only used a few of them on my truck and a 55 Chevy car. But a good vendor like GMC Pauls or H&H Classic Parts will typically stock only parts that fit and work.

Several years ago H&H stopped stocking some parts (maybe window regulators?) because they were Chinese junk. The owner Herman said he'd rather lose a sale than make a customer unhappy. A real class act! I think it was a South Korean company that finally started making nice ones.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Gapgap

I'd like to add a comment. I'd gotten a horn button retainer from classic parts out of Kansas City along with a lot of other items as part of a restoration of my 52 Chevy Pickup. I opened the horn button retainer about 8 to 10 weeks after I received my order. The horn button retainer had a broken clip. This happens. Classic Parts told me they basically have a 30 warranty and I was basically SOL. I called Counterpart Automotive in California and they honored their part and sent me a new one that next afternoon.

Nice to know about Classic Parts. They are happy to sell to a guy collecting parts for a restoration or project, but then hide behind their ridiculous policies when the customer opens up a box with a bad part.

We should all keep this in mind the next time we have a parts order.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I believe Classic Parts is a class action parts retailor. I have traded there for many years and have always been satisfied with them. The owner is a truck nut himself & has some fine trucks. His parts are as good as any available. The prices are competitive or lower than some others. That is the dealer that I got the defective ign. switch from. They brought out every one in stock to try & find one that worked.

George

[samkost]

I’m glad to see this thread revived.
I have purchased some Counterpart items for my restoration and most seem decent.

But,
I have recently had concerns about quality parts from online retailers/suppliers.
I have been dealing with a stiff/non power brake pedal with all new components with the exception of my OE cast iron brake proportioning valve.
It took a while but I finally located an original AC Delco double bail style master cylinder.
It was installed with a new shiny out of the box POL Cad/Zinc power brake booster.
Long story short I got a bad leaking booster with no vacuum capabilities.
Put my OE Bendix booster back on and now I have perfect pedal and functioning power brakes.
Money down the drain for pretty and shiney Taiwan/Chinese junk.
POL will never see my business again.

And also this from a few years ago.

Originally Posted by 73737373

Mar-K....trim maker, not overseas, made in Oklahoma City.

Not all trim parts sold by Mar-K are manufactured by Mar-K.
I ordered all the upper and lower tailgate trim and cab divider trim set.
Trim and hardware were excellent.
Most of Mar-K products are excellent, for instance their early and later year side molding (upper and lower) are made in house.
Quality stuff.

Tail light bezels on the other hand were Counterpart or some other off brand.
When I received them I called with my concern mainly about the inflated price/shipping and indeed they agreed that they were not made in house.
I received some compensation for the price and they changed their description of certain trim on their web site.

[MikeB]

I have found that Taiwanese parts are generally better than ChiCom parts. Do not lump the two countries together. It's democracy vs. the heavy hand of Communist Party rule. I'm reminded of the old Soviet Union worker adage: We pretend to work, and they pretend to pay us.