Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
NOS, New, Used and Reproduction Cadillac Parts & Accessories for 1961-1991
The Captain's Parts Grading System
Overview
CNLS : Cruise Night / Light Show
SQ : Show Quality
The Captain's used parts rating system has been in use for over 20 years with a 99% success rate (there's always that one guy you can never please no matter what. You know who you are!). There are 4 categories which covers most every type of condition the parts sold at The Cove would be in. This is to help my customers understand what to expect out of the parts they receive as there are so many different types of aging and wear the parts could have after 40+ years. Parts are rated as SQ, CNLS, DD, BTN. If a part is rated with a hyphenated rating (ie DD-CNLS), it implies the part ranks in between those two main ratings. The part is in slightly better condition than the first rating but yet slightly worse than the second.
SQ : Show Quality
CNLS : Cruise Night / Light Show
SQ : Show Quality
A part that is brand new or excellent New Old Stock. New Old Stock does NOT imply perfect as factory parts were mass produced and rarely perfect when they were new. It just means a replacement part from the factory never installed. May exhibit very light storage or handling wear. Would work for a show car all the way to daily driver and when only the best will do.
CNLS : Cruise Night / Light Show
CNLS : Cruise Night / Light Show
CNLS : Cruise Night / Light Show
A part in excellent used condition with little wear or aging. Such parts may exhibit light pitting, scratches, minor surface rust and handling wear consistent with a well kept, used part. Looks almost SQ from 5-10 feet away. Minor restoration in some cases could improve it to SQ.
DD : Daily Driver
BTN : Better Than Nothing
CNLS : Cruise Night / Light Show
A part that is in good used condition showing signs of average wear and age such as medium pitting, scratches, chips, minor cracks etc. Could improve with some restoration or is an excellent core. Looks nice from 5-10 feet away, but age and wear will be apparent. These are perfect for higher grade cars needing a missing item till better can be attained, daily driven cars where budget factors higher than best condition or those looking for parts with age-appropriate wear/patina. The majority of used parts will fall into this category.
BTN : Better Than Nothing
BTN : Better Than Nothing
BTN : Better Than Nothing
A part that is just as the rating sounds. The part has heavy aging and wear which would include heavy pitting, large cracks, deep scratches, minorly broken pieces, heavy rust/rot etc. BUT is mostly complete, not broken severely and serviceable. Can be used on your daily driver only if you have a completely broken piece, are missing the part entirely or are looking for a core to rebuild / restore. Parts in this grade are frequently sold by other vendors as DD or better but here, these parts are normally discarded or recycled if possible. Only extremely difficult to find or rare parts are ever kept or available in this condition.