While the world in general becomes more “solid state” and the devices we rely on get more reliable but less and less repairable, it’s good to know that there are people out there who are dedicated to not just preserving classic cars, but the knowledge required to repair and maintain them as well. In a time when electronics meant vacuum tubes and braided asbestos wiring, designers came up with ingenious mechanical solutions to the challenges they faced.

The Corvette hobby is full of enthusiasts who take a great deal of satisfaction in knowing the inner workings of their classics. We’d venture to say that it’s easier for an owner to get his or her hands on a vintage Corvette’s assembly manual today than it was when the cars were brand new. And unlike a computerized Body Control Module on a late model Corvette, it’s possible to lay bare all the secrets of, say, a C1’s door hardware and suss out how it all works. Still, some things aren’t intuitive, and may not be covered in detail in any printed reference.

That’s where companies like Zip come to the rescue. In this video, which they put together in response to questions from customers, you see very clearly how to disassemble and assemble a first-gen Corvette’s door button mechanism. Trivial? Maybe to most, but if you’re the guy trying to figure it out on your own car, videos like these are an invaluable resource. You might never need this particular bit of how-to knowledge, but if you do, you’ll be glad that there are people out there who have the time and interest to share their knowledge with the world.