Find That Part
Locating Used and New
Components for Your
Collector Car
part numbers, model numbers or at least what vehicles
were originally equipped with the missing parts. Many
models were virtually unchanged from year to year and
many parts were shared by a number of models within
a line. However, sometimes specifications of mechanical
parts changed several times in a single year. You may
need to know the chassis number of your car to find the
correct parts. And if your car has been around the block
a few times, there is a strong possibility that it may have
some incorrect parts already. Buy or borrow every book
you can find about your car model including:
• Restoration Guides
• Historical Texts
• Repair and Parts Manuals
• Road Test Compilations
You finally bought the car of your dreams, but it’s
not exactly in dreamy condition. Maybe it needs
everything from frame rails to a new engine
block, or perhaps just lacks a few trim items that
are long out of production. Locating parts is one
of the things that collectible car owners must
learn about, and the search can be as gratifying
as installing the part or driving the finished car.
A careful and organized approach will speed up
and ease your search, but the first step is to do
your homework.
RESEARCH
First, prioritize your wish list. For a major project
you can break this down into must-have and
would-like-to-have parts.
For instance, you may need an engine, but you would
like new armrests to replace the stained or cracked
ones you have now. This allows you to prioritize your
search and budget spending. Once you have a wish
list, it’s time to look deeper. You’ll need to know the
Once you’ve read them cover to cover, you’ll have a basic
idea of what is correct for your car. However, some of the
texts may disagree, so you may need to find experts to
assist you. For more information about how to research
your car, call Hagerty at 888-310-8020, menu option 3,
to request a copy of Researching Your Collector Car.
Key Point
Make a complete wish list and prioritize every item.
The Numbers Game
Most manufacturers engrave or cast numbers on each
part, but sometimes these can be deceiving. For instance,
two identical alternators may have different part
numbers if they were installed on both Corvettes
and pickup trucks. To a collector bent on a perfect
restoration this is vitally important, as it could mean the
difference between first place and honorable mention at
a car show. Also, the same information can save you a
bundle if you just need a functional alternator for your
Sunday driver. After you’ve completed your research,
get a small memo book and write down your shopping
list, including the part number and chassis number.
Experienced parts searchers leave a copy in each of their
daily drivers just in case they pass a promising salvage
yard along the road.
YOUR PARTS OPTIONS
Sometimes you’ll have a choice between new
reproduction parts, new old stock (NOS) parts
and used parts. It all depends on how rare your
car is and what you’re prepared to pay.
New Production Parts
Some parts are easier to find than others. If you have a
popular collector car such as a classic Camaro, Mustang
or Corvette, you’ll have few problems locating new parts.
The market for these cars is large enough to encourage
companies to remanufacture everything from small trim
items to body panels.
Many parts dealers specialize in one make or type of car,
while others produce one type of part for a wide variety
of cars. For instance, there are hundreds of companies,
such as Ecklers™ (www.ecklers.com), which focus on
Corvettes, while Bob Drake Reproductions (www.bobdrake.com) caters to flat-head Fords and Ford pickups,
and others, such as Moss Motors™ (www.mossmotors.
com), specialize in parts for most popular post-war
British sports cars.
Generalized catalogs, like those from Speedway Motors™
and JEGS™, sell thousands of performance parts
for almost any racing or high-performance car. You can
find these companies on the web or look for ads in car
magazines from single-marque titles, including Super
Chevy; Excellence, the magazine about Porsche; or Hemmings Motor News, which includes information for all
kinds of makes and models.
Key Point
Not all new parts are created equal. Some are painstakingly reproduced and are indistinguishable from
the original, while others are produced by the lowest
bidder and may be both visibly and functionally different
from the original. Be sure to compare new parts to
old originals.
New Old Stock Parts
For the serious restorer, new reproduction parts are not
the same as parts made at the time the car was in produc-
tion. Usually an expert can tell the difference, thus leading
to a strong market and high prices for new old stock
(NOS) parts. These are parts that have been sitting unused
in their boxes since they were new, sometimes for decades.
Searching for NOS trim parts is worthwhile for authentically restored cars, but it is a waste of time and money
for cars that will never be completely original anyway. If
your car has already undergone an engine swap, or is a hot
rod or custom, buy new reproduction parts when they’re
available. Avoid using NOS mechanical parts inside your
running gear, suspension or brake systems, as they may
have deteriorated structurally from sitting so long. If you
do use NOS mechanical parts, be sure to replace any seals
or gaskets, because those will surely be past their prime.
Used Parts
A large number of cars that appeal
to hobbyists are not well-supported
by the reproduction market.
If your heart lies with lesserknown machinery such as Nash
Metropolitans, Hudsons or vintage
Alfa Romeos, you’re going to have
to do some serious searching. Even
if you’re able to find new parts, you
can often save a bundle by buying
secondhand ones. Once you get the
hang of it, you can even earn extra
car money by selling or trading
parts you just happened across and
know are valuable. But searching
for parts can be time-consuming,
and if you haven’t done your
homework it’s easy to end up with a
pile of parts that “almost fit.”
Make Your Own
If you own an extremely rare model, hot rod or racing
car, you may have to fabricate some parts from scratch
or have them made. Skilled machinists or top restoration
shops often have the skills to help you, but the price will
be high. Often, with a little work, it’s possible to adapt
and fit readily available new or used parts from a more
popular car. Brake and suspension parts are sometimes
interchangeable between makes, but damaged trim
parts usually must be repaired or fabricated. It helps to
find a friendly counter clerk at a local auto parts store
who’s willing to help match your old parts with the
store’s current stock. Independent parts stores, small
local chains and many NAPA dealers are often the most
willing to go out of their way for you. If they go out of
their way to help, give them all your business to show
your appreciation.
Key Point
The Internet can be a gateway to many sources
of information and parts most hobbyists never had
access to before.
Search The Web
There are many different ways to find parts, and
you need to use every one of them. The best way
to source parts and information for your car is to
find the specific collector community that almost
surely exists for your marque or model.
These days most people start their parts searches by
keying in a part name or car model into a browser.
Using a general search such as “Buick” will return too
many general links. Something more specific, such as
“Buick parts” or “Buick engines” will get you closer.
The internet is a great source of specialized websites
where you can access historical data and chat with other
enthusiasts. For best results you may want to start with
the following sites:
Join a Club
• www.ebaymotors.com
THE HUNT BEGINS
Your search for used or obscure new parts will be easier
if you make new friends and contacts who share your
passion. There are clubs for just about every make and
type of car. Single marque or model clubs also come in
many shapes and sizes:
• National marque clubs
• Local chapters of national marque clubs
• National registers or clubs for models within
a marque
• Internet club or discussion groups for a specific marque or model
Some nationwide clubs have regional chapters where
you can attend meetings and swap leads on your parts
needs. You may be able to trade parts with fellow club
members who are also interested in finishing their cars.
Attending make-specific car club shows can be a big
help, as you can inspect a number of models like yours
and share information with the owners. Web-based
car clubs now unite owners of rare models around the
world, thus increasing the odds of finding parts and
getting experienced advice from bulletin boards. Some
of these cyber groups have been known to collectively
have parts produced, from specialized bolts to internal
mechanical components. For a directory of clubs near
you, go to www.hagerty.com/resources.
• www.google.com
• http://groups.yahoo.com
But be careful, because for every legitimate expert you’ll
find a corresponding know-it-all chock-full of misleading
advice. Once you’ve found a parts source on the web, be
sure to ask club members and other people with a car like
yours if they know of the company.
You can often find parts at auctions, but try this only if
you’re absolutely sure of the identity of the part. Although
most live auctions focus on entire cars, some offer parts
– particularly rare and high-end components. If you’re
bidding on an online auction through a site such as www.
ebaymotors.com, or can’t make it to the live auction, it’s
easy to buy the wrong part because you can’t inspect it or
compare it to your old part. Study the photos carefully and
ask for more pictures if necessary. Use email to ask lots of
questions, both to ascertain the condition of the part and
to verify that the seller knows what he has.
The odds are only about 50-50 that parts you pick up
online will be in excellent condition. If you’re buying
components that you intend to rebuild, the condition of
the parts will be less of an issue. Don’t forget that after
you buy the parts you still have to ship them home, so
figure that into your total cost before you bid. Crating
and shipping charges on heavy items can easily exceed
the cost of shipping a rolling car. Even if the part is
misrepresented, you will not normally be able to return
it; so if possible, arrange to pick it up and pay in person,
especially if it’s very expensive. If you can’t complete the
transaction in person, using a credit card or PayPal may
provide you with additional protection.
Key Point
Buying parts at auction is just the beginning.
Remember to factor in the costs of getting them
packed and shipped home.
The Media
The collector and hobby car market is well-served by
specialized publications. One of the best is Hemmings
Motor News, which features thousands of ads for cars
and parts in every monthly issue. It also contains a
section that lists upcoming swap meets.
If you find a part that is particularly expensive or
important, you may want to request photos or go see
it before purchasing, or send a local friend to look it
over and finalize the deal. Another good source of parts
can be the Auto Trader publications available in many
regions. Some publications even include “wanted”
sections where you can run ads for what you’re missing.
Be cautious when doing business long-distance; request
photos and ask plenty of questions before sending
money or giving a credit card number.
Key Point
Always open and inspect all parts packages
immediately so you can report and return damaged
or incorrect components promptly.
Whether you source a part from a manufacturer,
specialist or individual, open the packages immediately
when parts arrive. If a part arrives and it turns out to
be incorrect or of poor quality, you’ll have no recourse
if you don’t check it out and return it promptly. If your
restoration bogs down and you open the box three years
later when you’re ready to install that radiator – too late
– the supplier won’t want to hear it if the part’s been
incorrectly soldered or won’t fit.
Scour Swap Meets
Attending a swap meet can be a lot of fun even if you
don’t find what you’re looking for. You may come across
a scale model of your car that you can use to test paint
schemes, or pick up an old magazine with a period road
test. And if you leave without having hooked up with
friends or wolfed down a funnel cake or a sizzling
barbeque sandwich, it’s your own fault! Locating what
you need at swap meets can be difficult, so it’s best to
work in pairs. Bring along a friend so you have two sets
of eyes peering in every widget-laden booth. For listings
of events, be sure to check either the print or online site
for Hemmings Motor News (www.hemmings.com) or
Old Cars Weekly (www.oldcarsweekly.com).
Unlike web searches, here you can bring along your old,
broken part to compare with ones that are for sale. You
may find another part that does the job just as well, or
that just plain looks better, and at a great price. But it’s
vital that you know the market value of the parts you’re
after. Whether buying at a swap meet, salvage yard or
online, sellers don’t always know what they have and
can overprice an item as easily as give you a bargain.
Knowing the price of a new reproduction part can also
help you negotiate a better deal on a used part. Be sure
you know what you’re buying, as parts bought at swap
meets are seldom returnable.
Salvage Yards
Before the days of reproduction parts, all automobile
hobbyists were proficient at salvage yard hunting. A
decade ago, most yards would let you roam around the
rusting hulks until you found what you were looking
for. Nowadays, most large salvage yards limit access to
employees only and seldom have any cars more than
a few years old. Once they remove the big parts they
crush the rest. But outside the big cities there are still
smaller yards that are friendlier to hands-on enthusiasts.
Self-service yards require their customers to remove the
parts themselves, so bring along any tools necessary for
surgery, and be aware that they’ll inspect your toolbox
on the way out. Don’t expect to get any technical advice
or physical help from the employees, either. The good
news is that the prices are reasonable and may even be
structured. The top price allows you to return the part
for your money back, while for less money you’ll only
be able to exchange it for another. The bottom price
includes no warranty at all.
Key Point
When you go to a “you pull it” junk yard, be sure to
take your own tools and a friend to help you remove
and carry the parts.
There are also specialized yards that deal only in one
make or type of vehicle. Yards that deal exclusively in
Fords, Chevys, trucks, imports and collector cars are
plentiful, but you have to know where to find them.
• Start with an online search
• Check your Yellow Pages
• Try www.sweetchariots.com/boneyards.php for
an online directory of yards with collector cars or
www.gardenofspeedin.com/partslocguides/
index.html to purchase directories of marque specific yards.
Employees at specialized yards tend to be wellinformed and helpful. You aren’t likely to find many
bargains because specialized yard owners usually know
what their inventory is worth, but you can save time
by having them point you to what you need. As with
swap meets, take your old parts and memo book with
you for reference.
Get Started Now
Searching for parts can be the black hole of time,
which is why many restoration shops charge extra if
they have to locate missing items. If you do your own
hunting, you can save cash and know what you’ve
received for your money. It’s a skill that not only
increases your pride and joy on the road, but can be a
worthwhile hobby in its own right. Who knows, you
may even find another project to start once the current
one is finished!
2007-242 REV 11/09
Hagerty is the premier source for safety and
protection information about the collector
car hobby. For more information on enhancing
your collector car ownership experience, log
on to www.hagerty.com or call 800-922-4050.
This material is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
The information is obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable, but no
guarantee is made that it will be sufficient or appropriate for every individual or situation.
© 2009 Hagerty. For copy and reprint permission, contact askhagerty@hagerty.com.