Tips & Tricks

Our staff is very knowledgable -- here are some common questions they get.

I need someone to work on my car
Q.  I want someone to work on my car for me.  Where do I find someone I can trust?

A.  Corvette Specialties has a large network of people that we can whole-heartedly recommend.  These are often places we have taken our own personal vehicles.  Not only will you find good work, you'll find good people too.    We won't send you to someone we don't trust ourselves. 

I need something for a child
Q.  What do you have for kids who like Corvettes?

A.  We know how important the youngest Corvette fans are too!   And we've got stuff for them.  Kids are always welcome in our store -in fact they're welcome to "drive" our cut-away car while their parents or grandparents shop.  Our car shows and open houses are kid-friendly too. 

Need a gift for the young Corvette enthusiast?   Check out our selection of youth clothing - from teens all the way down to infant onesies,  we can outfit a kid!  We also carry Corvette cookies (they're good!), posters, die cast cars, "Hot Wheels" size cars, and more.  Did you know they make Corvette cookie cutters too?

Car Values
Q.  How do I know what is my car worth?

A.  It's a good idea to talk to an experienced appraiser.  We can recommend someone in the Twin Cities area.  To find someone near you, try asking local car clubs who they recommend.

You can also look at Old Cars Weekly or NADA.   They regularly put out guides to car values. 

Cleaning Cast Aluminum
Q. How should I clean my cast aluminum?

A.  The expert who restores our cast aluminum reccomends cleaning with Dawn dishwashing soap. Put a little bit of Dawn into a bucket of water and use a soft brush.  Rinse with cold water.

Getting my car out of storage this spring
Q. What things should I do to make sure my Corvette is ready to go this spring?

A.  When you're taking your car out of storage, you'll want to be sure to check all fluids, as well as the tires and the battery - even clean the battery terminals. 

Make sure your belts and hoses are in good shape.   It may sound silly, but check the interior, air cleaner and tail pipes to be sure no critters have  moved in. 

Brakes should be bled every couple of years too.

Your Corvette will also appreciate a thorough wash and wax inside and out.  Clean and condition your top, leather and seat covers. 

Of course, we've got any replacement parts you may need - from hoses to new calipers, as well as car care products too.   There's even a Buy-One-Get-One sale on selected car care products right now!

Bumpers
Q. I am looking for bumpers for my '74 Corvette convertible. I would like original equipment if its available.

A. Original bumper covers for your '74 are available.  

You may want to consider the TruFlex replacement bumpers - they're more rigid than the original urethane bumpers, but more flexible than the 100% fiberglass ones. This allows a better fit and better absorption of minor impacts.    They cost less also.

Car Wax
Q. Should I still wax my car even though it has a clear coat?

A. YES!  Wax still protects your paint from UV rays.  It also helps protect from road chips, rocks, and bugs to prevent damage while driving.  Top-brand car wax companies have new waxes that are specifically formulated for cars with clear coats.

Ground Wires
Q. My left turn signal doesn't blink when I turn it on.  I have a new flasher in it already and it still doesn't work.  The right side works just fine.

A. I assume you've already checked the light bulbs.  Next try checking the grounding wires.  As Corvettes age and temperatures change, connections can erode and quit making contact. 

Front End Movement
Q. My 1979 Corvette has 75,000 miles.  I have noticed that when I brake, the front end kind of moves a little.

A. Some things to check:
       Check the brake calipers
       Rotors could be out of trueness
       You could need new front end parts.  Check the ball joints, tie rod ends, and idler arms.
        We sell a complete front end rebuild kit with everything in it.

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Visit our store and walk out with your parts the same day - when you need them. 

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