Parts, Parts and More Parts

Today we are going to discuss something that all classic vehicle owners need: parts. I can’t count how many times that I have had to make trips back and forth to the parts store during a segment of one of my projects.  Why is it that as soon as we find out what the problem is, what part we need and purchase that particular part, we then need a specialty tool to install or fix it? I think there was one day were I went back and forth to Napa ten times! Anyways, we will talk tools another time for now, let’s stick to parts.

Let’s talk suppliers. There are generally two sides to where one might acquire needed parts: Brick and mortar or the internet. First, let’s talk about brick and mortar stores. As most of us know, going to a brick and mortar store such as Napa or Autozone can usually get us a part that we need desperately within a matter of minutes. However, in some cases these parts are out of stock, or the store is closed at an hour in which most of us are working on our project. How do we combat this? I attempt to figure out all of the parts I am going to need for that particular stage of the project and get them either the day prior to or maybe even the weekend before. This allows me to make sure I have everything I need so that I can just begin working and hopefully finish whatever the step is without having to go back and forth to the store.

Now what about the internet? The first thought that comes when attempting to purchase vehicle parts from an internet source is time. It takes whatever standard shipping times (on business days of course) for parts to arrive. This means there has to be a lot of forethought to what you might need and hopefully be able to acquire the parts that will fit and work properly. I have used sites like usautoparts.net or rockauto.com to get parts which has only been a positive experience. They have nearly any part you could think of and usually ship in a reasonable amount of time. I would use these sites for things like body parts, latches or upgraded parts. One may even acquire parts from your every day person with sites like craigslist. This can be very useful because you can find others local to your area that have a similar love for the vehicle you are trying to restore. This also leaves more room for bartering and hopefully a great discussion on each other’s vehicles. The problem with acquiring parts this way is the fact that you could get something that works or maybe not. It can be hard to trust people nowadays. Not to say that I haven’t purchased parts this way or even sold them, I just highly suggest that you use caution and know exactly what to look for in a part that should be working properly so that you don’t lose out on a decent amount of cash for something broken.

The last thing I want to talk about in regards to parts acquisition is going through a locally owned mechanic. I built quite a good relationship with one of my local mechanics and went to him for nearly everything when I was getting my Jeep’s engine and transmission rebuilt. I became such a regular at the shop that we all knew each other by name and the service was outstanding. He always knew exactly what I would need and where he could get it for me. If he couldn’t find it he referred me to someone who could get me what I needed. I highly encourage all of you to build a relationship with a local mechanic, whether from a big name shop or a mom and pop.This not only helps you find the best place for parts, but it also gives you someone who you can refer all of your friends and family to. More business for your mechanic means better relationship for you and better deals on any work that you get done with them.

Let’s hear it from you! Where do you generally get your parts from? Where do you find the best deals or the fastest services? Feel free to leave a comment on the blog or on any of our social media pages and we can continue this discussion. Thanks for tuning in and remember until next time, stay classic!