Where are some offbeat places to locate hard to find parts?

[Steve1968LS2]

Doing a story on finding hard to locate parts. Sheetmetal, trim, interior parts.

Can be websites or brick/mortor places.. Everyone knows about Year One and Classic but what about more "off the beaten track" places.

I know of a few, but I want the story to help the average hot rodder.

Thoughts?

The perfect candidate is the guy with the barn full of OEM parts for XXX car and he has a little website to sell them.. or just by word of mouth.

Whatcha got?

[Damn True]

Interesting topic Steve, I look forward to reading it.

Kinda hoping you find some good sources for used LSx motors. If you do.....leave that out of the article and tell us. HA!

[DarkBuddha]

I'll share one of the places I've gotten some good deals on some cool ex-race parts: www.musclemotorsports.com . The sell new and used race gear, especially circle track stuff. But they've also got coilover springs, brake parts, etc. I've bought some brake related stuff and an oil cooler; all of it used but perfectly functional.

[Steve1968LS2]

Interesting topic Steve, I look forward to reading it.

Kinda hoping you find some good sources for used LSx motors. If you do.....leave that out of the article and tell us. HA!

Actually if we share the info then they will sell more and can lower their price.. right??? lol

[Damn True]

Or the supply will dwindle and the prices will rise.

[TonyHuntimer]

What kind of parts are you talking about?

This place has a bunch of weird and really cool old hot rod stuff. Problem is the guy who runs it is not the nicest guy in the world and everything is overpriced.
J M Enterprises
1215 Willow Pass Rd, Pittsburg, CA 94565

This place is pretty cool too:
http://www.gmsports.com/

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[Steve1968LS2]

What kind of parts are you talking about?

This place has a bunch of weird and really cool old hot rod stuff. Problem is the guy who runs it is not the nicest guy in the world and everything is overpriced.
J M Enterprises
1215 Willow Pass Rd, Pittsburg, CA 94565

This place is pretty cool too:
http://www.gmsports.com/

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

you know.. hard to find trim parts, sheetmetal, interior parts for off beat cars even.. lets face it, it's easy to find a fender for 1st gen Camaro. But what about a '64 Galaxy

Websites.. storefronts and even offbeat websites are what I'm after.

[derekf]

If I remember correctly, there was a yard in Lubbock that was heavy into the Tri-5s and also had a LOT of Chevelle and Impala parts - they had a row of like 30 '57 Chevy parts cars along one fence back in the 80s. I believe it was called Chevycraft; I'd called when I was local about some trim parts for my 65 and they were rather proud of what they had, but I bet they've got pretty much everything.

Also, the Auto Ranch just north of Denton was mentioned last month, every time we'd drive by I'd try to pick out a couple of cars in the yard but there was just too many to focus on one.

[Steve1968LS2]

Or the supply will dwindle and the prices will rise.

lol.. there's no shortage of LS1 engines in the world.. and the way guys drive thier 4th gen f-bodies there will be a steady supply of pull-out engines.. lol

[DeepBlue68]

Also, the Auto Ranch just north of Denton was mentioned last month, every time we'd drive by I'd try to pick out a couple of cars in the yard but there was just too many to focus on one.
That place is sweet. Every time I drive by it I'm amazed at the number of cars they have out there. I hear theyre pricey though

[trapin]

Steve....are you talking about actual companies or parts dealers who do it on the side? There's a guy here in Michigan named Al Maynard who has a butt load of rare parts. I remember going to his place once as a teenager and he had an amazing collection. One of his prized rare possessions was an "alleged" experimental small block Chevy with hemispherical combustion chambers. It was a concept engine that he somehow wrestled away from the Chevy Motor Divison in the early 70's...allegedly.

Whatever you do....do not mention that scumbag who owns Heartbeat City here in Michigan. The last thing that conniving, snake-in-the-grass needs is any free advertising. Talk to the people at Team Camaro, they can't stand him over there. One of this hobby's biggest crooks.

Sorry for the forked tongue...but the mere thought of him makes me want to kick a puppy.

[Bill Howell]

I am not sure what you are looking for Steve, but one of the odd places I found several parts for the goat was here. http://www.amesperf.com/gto_registry/welcome.html
Ames, of course is a retail, new parts outlet for Pontiac parts, however, the link is to other links where people have those little odd parts that are impossible to find unless you walk several bone yards looking high and low. The great thing about the internet is it puts some of the same info at your fingertips. I found some impossible to find defrost routing tubes for my car here and the nos rear tail panel that comes on 65 gto's. Also, as common as you would think it would be, the clip that holds the trunk lock in place is different on a early a-body than any thing else, so this was the only place I could find a used one.
I hope this helps.
BTW, check your pm's/:usa:

[Steve1968LS2]

Steve....are you talking about actual companies or parts dealers who do it on the side? There's a guy here in Michigan named Al Maynard who has a butt load of rare parts. I remember going to his place once as a teenager and he had an amazing collection. One of his prized rare possessions was an "alleged" experimental small block Chevy with hemispherical combustion chambers. It was a concept engine that he somehow wrestled away from the Chevy Motor Divison in the early 70's...allegedly.

Whatever you do....do not mention that scumbag Jim over at Heartbeat City. The last thing that no good, sack of s**t needs is any free advertising. I can't stand that motherf**ker.

And pardon my language....but the mere thought of him makes me want to kick a puppy.

Either.. both..

Guys who have a business or guys that have a barn full of parts and have turned it into a business.. sometime you need that odd part and it's hard to find some of these sources..

Wow.. you really don't like Jim.. I only dealt with him once and he was fine, although expensive and I found what I couldn't get elsewhere.. what happened? (you should tell me since he is in my database for the story)...

[Steve1968LS2]

I am not sure what you are looking for Steve, but one of the odd places I found several parts for the goat was here. http://www.amesperf.com/gto_registry/welcome.html
Ames, of course is a retail, new parts outlet for Pontiac parts, however, the link is to other links where people have those little odd parts that are impossible to find unless you walk several bone yards looking high and low. The great thing about the internet is it puts some of the same info at your fingertips. I found some impossible to find defrost routing tubes for my car here and the nos rear tail panel that comes on 65 gto's. Also, as common as you would think it would be, the clip that holds the trunk lock in place is different on a early a-body than any thing else, so this was the only place I could find a used one.
I hope this helps.
BTW, check your pm's/:usa:

The classifieds didn't work for me.. is it just me?

Anyways, Think of a "yellow pages" of places that deal in hard to find parts like sheetmetal, trim, interior parts.. could be a business or a website for a specific type of nitch car (that has a classified section)..

Funny part is that Im not even writing the story, although it would be fun. Im just helping out :)

[Steve1968LS2]

Also, the Auto Ranch just north of Denton was mentioned last month, every time we'd drive by I'd try to pick out a couple of cars in the yard but there was just too many to focus on one.

http://www.ctcautoranch.com/ :cool:

[Patrick]

I dont know if these qualify since they are mostly "project cars" for sale... but interesting none the less.

http://www.gotexasexports.com/

http://wwww.chevyimpalas.com/

[Bill Howell]

The classifieds didn't work for me.. is it just me?

Anyways, Think of a "yellow pages" of places that deal in hard to find parts like sheetmetal, trim, interior parts.. could be a business or a website for a specific type of nitch car (that has a classified section)..

Funny part is that Im not even writing the story, although it would be fun. Im just helping out :)

I thought that is what the link was? Sure, I had to wade through several pages of want ads, but in the end always found what I needed. Once I would find someone with a odd part, then they would either know where another odd part was or who would have one. That was part of the fun of the build, playing detective and finding those parts. You are so right, everyone sells first gen camaro stuff, but step outside that box, and things really get hard to find.

[trapin]

Either.. both..

Guys who have a business or guys that have a barn full of parts and have turned it into a business.. sometime you need that odd part and it's hard to find some of these sources..

Wow.. you really don't like Jim.. I only dealt with him once and he was fine, although expensive and I found what I couldn't get elsewhere.. what happened? (you should tell me since he is in my database for the story)...
It's common knowledge around metro Detroit that he is not a pleasant person to deal with. I was warned by a number of people to stay away but curiosity got the best of me when I was in need of a rebuilt steering column. I called his shop to talk about trading in the one I had and I just about dropped the phone when they told me I would get a $25 core charge for my original '68 tilt column. I told the guy that they were going for over $150 on eBay and that $25 was ridiculous. Then he drops this bomb on me...$435 for a rebuilt replacement. I tried to reason with the guy before he actually started yelling at me (yes....yelling) that I was never going to get more than $25 for my tilt column. It was apparent to me that this guy wanted my column and desperately wanted me to be suckered in to bringing it to him. I hung up on the a**hole and called Ricks First Gen. They put me in touch with Gary's Classics in Dallas, Texas where I eventually sent my column to be rebuilt for $125. I got it back and it looked brand new. Jim is not a well liked guy around here. He does of course have his friends (those with money). But that's about it.

Oh...and he loves his neighbors at Pump It Up too. Pump It Up is a children’s play center that is located next to his shop in Shelby Township. He likes to drive up there on Sunday's (when his shop is closed) to see if any of the parents are parked in the spots that line the side of his building. If they are, he graciously has their cars towed away. His shop is closed...and the people aren't bothering anyone...but that doesn't matter to him. They're parked in his precious parking spots.

Nice guy huh?

Like I said, talk to the people over at Team Camaro. His name is poison over there.

[toxicz28]

Heartbeat City here in Michigan. The last thing that conniving, snake-in-the-grass needs is any free advertising. Talk to the people at Team Camaro, they can't stand him over there. One of this hobby's biggest crooks.

Come on! Don't tell me you think $4,000 for a reworked cowl induction hood or $15,000 for a JL-8 12 bolt or $350 for used disc brake backing plates is too expensive! :poke:

[trapin]

See what I mean?

Lotta love for that man.

[Damn True]

$4k for a hood?

Is this the owner?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[toxicz28]

$4k for a hood?

Is this the owner?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Yup! He takes a GM cowl hood ($750 msrp) drills out the intake box, fabs up a crossram box and welds them back in. For $7600, you could get the hood AND a REPRO cross ram setup!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camaro-1968-1969-68-69-Z-28-302-Crossram-Set-up-Hood_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34198QQihZ002QQite mZ4651449141QQtcZphoto
WHAT A BARGAIN! I think I'll get two.:jump:

[4MuscleMachines]

Wow.. you really don't like Jim.. I only dealt with him once and he was fine, although expensive and I found what I couldn't get elsewhere.. what happened? (you should tell me since he is in my database for the story)...

I don't like him either. HE is very expensive but I still purchased a few high dollar items from him. He noticed and I started dealing with him only and he was very courteous. When I started ordering low buck items (under $500) I was paying for NOS and I noticed he sent me oem stuff that had already been bolted on. He is NOT honest.

Leave him out Steve, he has already been in trouble with eBay for soliciting on the side to members and in trouble with so many Chevy guys. You would be doing a disservice to Prime Media and all car lovers.

[BonzoHansen]

Steve....are you talking about actual companies or parts dealers who do it on the side? There's a guy here in Michigan named Al Maynard who has a butt load of rare parts. I remember going to his place once as a teenager and he had an amazing collection. One of his prized rare possessions was an "alleged" experimental small block Chevy with hemispherical combustion chambers. It was a concept engine that he somehow wrestled away from the Chevy Motor Divison in the early 70's...allegedly.

Whatever you do....do not mention that scumbag who owns Heartbeat City here in Michigan. The last thing that conniving, snake-in-the-grass needs is any free advertising. Talk to the people at Team Camaro, they can't stand him over there. One of this hobby's biggest crooks.

Sorry for the forked tongue...but the mere thought of him makes me want to kick a puppy.
Here is a two-fer for you. HBJ selling a 302 Chevy Hemi mtoor
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-CHEVROLET-Z-28-CAMARO-CROSSRAM-Hemi-302_W0QQitemZ4653005729QQcategoryZ34202QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

[zbugger]

How about this place? http://www.rareparts.com/

[trapin]

Here is a two-fer for you. HBJ selling a 302 Chevy Hemi mtoor
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-CHEVROLET-Z-28-CAMARO-CROSSRAM-Hemi-302_W0QQitemZ4653005729QQcategoryZ34202QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem
Well then....I guess it's true.

[derekf]

They put me in touch with Gary's Classics in Dallas, Texas where I eventually sent my column to be rebuilt for $125. I got it back and it looked brand new.

Gary also has parts, I've had good experience dealing with him - think I bought a set of drum spindles or a-arms or something suspension related.

[Protour_Pinto]

If your building a inline six then Tom Langdon at Stovebolt engine co. in Shelby Michigan. http://www.stoveboltengineco.com/ He is the go to guy. Hes been racing them since the beginning of time and held many records with them in a car named "Holeshot".

Out here in Santa Monica I usually just jump on my old BMX bike and cruise the 'hoods. There is so much old Iron around me it would make so many just drool!

[EFI69Cam]

One of the most honest guys I have dealt with in my 20 years of 1st gen ownership is Larry Christiansen. His business Camaros Plus is pretty well known in Colorado.
His parts are expensive, but not rapacious, and he has repro stuff in stock.

[Steve1968LS2]

Well then....I guess it's true.

Well, I will put in the "bad" word about him with the writer of the story.. :)

Then again, I guess if he can find people stupid enough to toss away cash then so be it. I just like the "rude" a-hole deal.

[shep]

http://www.westcoastsheetmetal.com/ olds parts don't know anything about them other than what the web site says.

[enzo]

try Memory Lane in San Fernando. I used to go there to find the little obscure parts no one carries.

[Steve1968LS2]

Whatever you do....do not mention that scumbag who owns Heartbeat City here in Michigan. The last thing that conniving, snake-in-the-grass needs is any free advertising. Talk to the people at Team Camaro, they can't stand him over there. One of this hobby's biggest crooks.

Sorry for the forked tongue...but the mere thought of him makes me want to kick a puppy.

Well, since I consider you a friend I cut him outta the story :D

It actually felt good.. I was sorta drunk with power as I hit the delete key.. lol

Right now I am hunting down as many cool places as I can find. the focus is on sheetmetal, trim, interior rather than engine. I really want to find the small "mom and pop" type places that most people won't know about.

I'm not writing the story but I'm editing it.. want it to be very helpful to readers..

[Steve1968LS2]

try Memory Lane in San Fernando. I used to go there to find the little obscure parts no one carries.

They are in Wilmington now.. see my "junk yard" post :)

[enzo]

saw it afterwards - didn't kno they moved - now they are a little closer to me good. Seen any good emails lately?