One-stop shoppingThanks to the dramatic growth of the musclecar hobby, replacement parts and sheetmetal are some of the easier things to find, regardless of the type of car you're building. The aftermarket has really stepped it up, and now plenty of companies offer reproduction and NOS parts via mail order. Here are some greatDig a Little DeeperThus far, we've covered the more traditional parts distributors whose products can easily serve the needs of the vast majority of hot rodders. However, maybe you're more of an all-original kind of guy than a Pro-Touring disciple. Perhaps you dig a tight-handling suspension but want to retain a stock-looking interior. In such instances, you still can't beat a good ol' junkyard for doohickeys so uncommon no one ever bothered reproducing them, but someone will inevitably need nonetheless. It wouldn't be entirely accurate to lump them all together as junkyards, however, since some don't actually carry donor cars and just stock very uncommon parts. Some of them are just guys who collected too many cars over the years and are now parting out their collections. For the sake of simplicity, we'll just dub them "alternative parts" sources. Through many onerous hours of staring at a computer screen and exhausting search engines, we've compiled our findings and organized them by make.
Various Salvage YardsCTC's Auto Ranch(800) 482-6199 - Arizonawww.ctcautoranch.com
Daley Salvage Yard(979) 732-5413 - Texaswww.daleysalvage.com
Desert Dog Auto Parts(815) 337-9594 - Arizona & Illinoiswww.desertdogautoparts.com
Hidden Valley Auto Parts(602) 252-6137 - Arizonawww.hiddenvalleyautoparts.com
Memory Lane(310) 513-7036 - Californiawww.oldautoparts.com
Speedway Salvage(618) 451-2726 - Missouriwww.speedway.ws
Turner's Auto Wrecking(559) 237-0918 - Californiawww.turnersautowrecking.com
AMCAMC Rambler Restoration Parts(516) 935-5298www.amcrambler.com
American Parts Depot(salvage yard)(937) 678-7249www.americanpartsdepot.com
Auto Body Company(salvage yard)(319) 752-0203
Chase Used Auto Parts(salvage yard)(608) 427-3764
Eddie Stake's AMX(713) 464-8825www.planethoustonamx.com
Elwood's Junkyard(301) 739-7159
Galvin's AMC Rambler Parts(209) 365-6380www.ramblerparts.com
John's Salvage Company(830) 379-2092
Leon's Auto Parts(salvage yard)(540) 547-2366
Missoula Auto Salvage(406) 542-0600
Riverside Auto & Truck Salvage(405) 789-5285
Romo's Auto Wrecking(559) 275-4823
Savage's Used Auto Parts(salvage yard)(254) 547-1341
Buick/Olds/PontiacAZ Parts and Cars(rust-free original sheetmetal)(602) 568-1786www.azpartsandcars.com
California Pontiac Restoration(original parts)(714) 245-9800www.pontiacparts.net
Desert Valley Auto Parts(BOP salvage yard)(800) 905-8024www.dvap.com
East West Auto Parts(Buick/Pontiac salvage yard)(918) 832-7077www.allgmautoparts.com
Frank's Pontiac Parts(salvage yard)(760) 789-0669www.frankspontiacparts.com
Fusick Automotive Products(original and repop Olds parts)(860) 623-1583www.fusick.com
GM Obsolete(888) 567-8081www.gmobsolete.com
GM Sports(salvage yard)(408) 432-8498www.gmsports.com
Poston Enterprises(repop and NOS Buick parts)(800) 635-9781www.postonbuick.com
Shiftworks(shifter conversions, also Chevy)(585) 383-0574www.shiftworks.com
Speedway Automotive(salvage yard)602) 276-0090www.speedwayautomotive.com
USA Parts Supply(original and NOS
Buick/Old parts)(703) 335-1935www.usapartssupply.com
20th Century Olds(original 442 and Cutlass parts)(814) 266-9477www.geocities.com/centuryolds
CadillacCadillac International(original, NOS, and repop parts)(845) 365-8290www.cadillacinternational.com
Cadillac King(salvage yard)(800) 890-0621www.cadillacking.com
Cadillac Auto Recycling(916) 638-5515www.cadauto.com
Classic Car Auto Parts(repop Cadillac restoration parts)www.classiccarautoparts.com
East West Auto Parts(Cadillac salvage yard)(918) 832-7077www.allgmautoparts.com
FEN Enterprises(original, NOS, and repop parts)(845) 462-5959www.fenenterprises.com
GM Obsolete(salvage yard)(888) 567-8081www.gmobsolete.com
West Coast Sheetmetal(salvage yard)(408) 286-6537www.westcoastsheetmetal.com
ChevyAusley's Chevelle('64-72 Chevelle parts)(336) 228-6701www.chevelle.com
Bel Air Auto Parts(original Tri-Five Chevy trim)(352) 236-6386www.belairautoparts.com
Billy Graham's Camaro Salvage(Fourth Gen Camaro salvage yard)(205) 668-1169www.billygrahamscamaro.com
Bob's Antique Auto Parts(original and repop Impala trim)(310) 515-1085www.bobsantiques.com
Camaro Specialty Co.(Camaro & Firebird parts)(704) 391-0261www.camarospecialty.com
Car Shop(GM and repop parts)(913) 647-7300www.truckandcarshop.com
Carol's Automotive & Corvette Dismantler(408) 727-2316www.carolsauto.com
Chevy2Only('62-79 Nova parts)(502) 239-8487www.chevy2only.com
Chevy Impalas(salvage yard)www.chevyimpalas.com
Classic Parts Connection(salvage yard)(760) 947-5827www.stevesclassicnovaparts.com
Corvette Specialties Manufacturing(grilles for C1 Corvettes)(410) 795-3220www.grilleteeth.com
El Camino Parts(El Camino, Chevelle, Laguna)(916) 722-2676www.ecparts.net
The El Camino Store('59-87 El Camino Parts) (888) 685-5987www.elcaminostore.com
Gary Volpicelli(NOS First Gen Camaro parts) (704) 287-3070Gvolpa@hotmail.com
GM Sports(salvage yard)(408) 432-8498www.gmsports.com
Hawk's Third Gen Parts('82-02 Camaro & Firebird)(864) 855-2694www.hawksthirdgenparts.com
Hubbard's Impala Parts('58-76 Impala)(800) 826-8088www.impalaparts.com
Impala Bob's(new Chevy parts)(800) IMPALAS (467-2527)www.impalas.com
J&W Nova Parts(all years Nova)(934) 685-4310www.novaparts.com
Rick's First Gen Camaro('67-69 Camaro parts)(800) 359-7717www.firstgen.com
Scott's Antique & Classic Cars & Parts(all Chevy parts)(276) 629-7878www.scottschevyparts.com
Show Cars Automotive(pre-'64 trim parts)(507) 233-1958www.show-cars.com
Super Muscle(Camaro, Chevelle & Nova parts)(916) 638-3906www.supermuscleparts.com
True Connections('62-72 Chevelle, El Camino & Monte Carlo parts)(951) 688-6040www.true-connections.com
West Coast Sheetmetal(Cutlass, Toronado, Olds)(408) 286-6537www.westcoastsheetmetal.com
Yesterday's Heroes(original, NOS, repop parts)(817) 491-4374www.delbri.com/ystrhero
FordAuto Krafters(repop parts for all years and models)(800) 228-7346www.autokrafters.com
Cascade Classics(original, NOS, repop Cougar parts)(253) 863-5669www.cascadeclassics.com
Cobra Restorers(original and repop Shelby Cobra parts)(770) 427-0020www.cobrarestorers.com
Dearborn Classics(800) 252-7427www.dearbornclassics.com
Early Ford(pre-'64 Ford parts)(800) 417-3347www.earlyford.com
FoMoCo Obsolete(repop '64-73 Mustang parts)(215) 949-9998www.fomoco.com
JC Classics(Mustang, Fairlane, and Cougar wiring diagrams)(817) 729-8579www.jsclassics.com
Mac's Antique Auto Parts(Mustang, Fairlane, Comet, Torino, and Falcon repop parts)(800) 777-0948www.macsautoparts.com
Mike Dennis Ford Parts(salvage yard)(402) 489-3036www.fordoldpart.com
Northwest Classic Falcons(original Falcon, Ranchero, and Comet sheetmetal)(503) 241-9454www.nwfalcon.com
Sunman Classic Ford(salvage yard)(405) 382-0878www.sunmanford.net
Woolcock Antique Auto Parts(original and NOS Ford parts)(800) 573-0809www.woolcockantiqueauto.com
MoparAntique and Classic Car Parts(original body and trim parts)www.antiquemopar.com
Arizona Auto Parts(602) 966-6683
Bernbaum Auto Parts(NOS and repop parts)(617) 244-1118www.oldmoparts.com
Brad's NOS parts(803) 755-0066www.bradsnosparts.com
Collectors Auto Supply(NOS parts)(888) 772-7848www.collectorsautosupply.com
Daimler-Chrysler Service Publications(factory service/owners' manuals)(800) 890-4038
RT Connection(216) 399-3959
Fellwock's(repop Mopar interior, trim, and sheetmetal)www.fellwocks.com
Hardens Musclecar World(NOS and repop parts)(800) 633-4690www.hardensmcw.com
JC Auto(pre-'64 Chrysler parts)(425) 672-8324www.jcauto.com
Jim's Auto Parts(603) 898-0535www.jimsautoparts.com
Layson's Restorations(877) 930-4088www.laysons.com
Mike's Mopar(trim parts)(516) 781-7278www.mikesmopar.com
National Mo Parts(original sheetmetal and trim)(705) 426-2993www.nationalmoparts.com
NOS Mopar(NOS parts)www.nosmopar1.com
RPM Restoration Parts(OEM and repop parts)(770) 975-9898www.rpmrestoparts.com
Wildcat Auto Wrecking(salvage yard)(503) 668-7786www.wildcatmopars.com
Virtual Hunting: The Ultimate Parts Findere refuse to believe that there are people out there who still don't have access to the Internet. Even if that's the case, just stroll down to your local public library and log on. Whereas searches came to an abrupt end in the past if print ads or swap meet excursions were unsuccessful, these days many hot rodders skip those steps altogether. Arguably the most powerful tool for parts hunting the hobby has ever seen, if all else fails, chances are you'll find what you need on the Internet.
Online ClassifiedsThe days of scanning tiny ads in the local newspaper or the Recycler hoping to find the parts you need aren't completely over, but just about. Online classifieds are much more user-friendly, and often allow narrowing search fields to find what you need more quickly. Not only do most ads include pictures, but also anyone with an Internet connection can view them for free. Here's a list of some of our favorite sites:
www.autotrader.comwww.carcorral.comwww.chooseyouritem.comwww.collectorcartraderonline.comwww.craigslist.orgwww.ebaymotors.comwww.e-partssource.comwww.hemmings.comwww.motorheadtrader.comwww.oldcar.comwww.oldride.comwww.parts123.comwww.racecar2000.comwww.racingjunk.comwww.recycler.com
Birds of a Feather...Although car magazines do their best to be authoritative, hot rodders are the real experts when it comes to tech info specific to a certain model vehicle. No matter how rare your project car is, there are thousands of enthusiasts with the same obscure interests as you, and the Internet brings them all together. We even stumbled across a message board full of Toyota Prius owners who think their hybrids are actually fast and try to race people in them. Sure, there's lots of muck and plenty of big egos, but when thousands of like-minded people gather in one place, tracking down obscure parts is greatly simplified. Most online forums have classified sections where members can buy parts from other members. If you're stumped, putting up a "where do I find this part?" post will usually have several people responding with leads within a few minutes. You'll be amazed at how much people are willing to help. Furthermore, vendors advertising on message boards are a great source for finding parts. Here are just a few examples of some message boards that cover the gamut from musclecars to late-models:
Web sitesMopar fan site: www.allpar.comEverything AMX: www.amxfiles.comAll Cadillacs: www.cadillacforums.comCamaros/Firebirds: www.camaroZ28.comCamaros: www.camaros.netChevelle resource: www.chevelles.netLate-model Mustang: www.corral.netAll Corvettes: www.corvetteforum.comLate-model Dodge: www.dodgetalk.comAll Fords: www.fordforums.comPro-Touring cars: www.lateral-g.netLS1 engine tech: www.LS1Tech.comAll musclecars: www.musclerides.comCamaros/Firebirds: www.nastyz28.comAll Oldsmobiles: www.oldsmobileforums.comAll Oldsmobiles: www.oldspower.comPontiacs: www.pontiacpower.netro-Touring cars: www.pro-touring.comSRT Mopars: www.srtforums.comOld and new Hemis: www.thehemi.comE-body Mopars: www.transamcuda.comTri-five Chevys: www.trifive.comTurbo Buicks: www.turbobuick.comV-8 Buicks: www.V8Buick.comOldsmobile: www.442.com
A Trip Down Memory LaneTony Martinez has been in the auto salvage business a long time. As president of Memory Lane Collector Car Dismantler, in Wilmington, Calif., he's seen everything: "I've been in this business for over 15 years and it has changed quite a bit, especially since the Internet came about." With the advent of eBay and the Internet, many of Tony's customers never set foot on his lot. "Right now we have almost 80 auctions going on at eBay. Sometimes people will see a part and call about another part off that same car. You never know what's going to get people's attention." They also have a Web site (www.oldautoparts.com) that's updated every day with the newest arrivals. Some cars are sold whole, but most are parted out. It's almost impossible to not find something you need.
We spent a few hours at his yard shooting pictures for this story, but we could have spent days checking out all the cool stuff laying about. From a 1964 Rambler Marlin to a '68 Ford Fairlane, everything just screamed "project car" to us.
Being out of the "rust belt" means the Southwest is pockmarked with salvage yards like this. Places where you can still find some obscure part that "you just gotta have" and it's guys like Tony who make it possible by saving these classics from the crusher. Thanks for the time in your yard, Tony, and we might be in touch about that Rambler.
Did We Miss Anyone?We tried to find them all, but nobody's perfect. If you want to give us the 411 on a cool parts source not on our list, just e-mail the info to steven.rupp@primedia.com.