How to Find Vintage and Antique Car Parts

If you have ever restored an antique vehicle or know someone who has, you probably know that locating the car parts you need may be easy or hard. It all depends on the make and model of the vehicle.

One invaluable tool to locate your parts is the internet. Prior to that you may have had to call and drive over to every junk yard within fifty miles. The internet allows you to let your fingers do the walking. If you search on ebay, just enter the part in their search box. Craigslist is another source for antique car parts. Another popular site is Hemmings. Website is www.hemmings.com and check their classifieds section for car and truck parts.

Thunderbird Engine

Another good source on the internet are the many antique and classic car forums where members might buy and sell parts or can recommend someone who does. Remember, many forum members have likely been looking for antique car parts themselves at one time or another. Another good thing about auto forums is that many are dedicated to one type or brand of automobile or truck.

One excellent site with several forums that allow you to put out the word for the parts you’re looking for is www.classiccar.com. Here you might be able to find a forum member who has the part you’re searching for.

Remanufactured Parts

The best scenario for an antique car restoration is to find original parts. The second option is to buy remanufactured parts. The second option, if available, is easier and chances are that the remanufactured part complies with current safety regulations.

Antique and Vintage Car Parts Sources

Vintage Parts– This company which has been mentioned on several forums offers just about everything for antique vehicles from steering columns to shocks and axles to interior items and suspensions. Just one example is that these people offer solid axle kits for 1928 to 1948 Fords. Website is www.vintagepartsusa.com

Vintage car wheelVintage Auto Parts– This company also offers parts for antique and classic vehicles which go all the way back to 1920’s models. Their parts have been acquired over decades from garages, dealers and warehouses. They have a very large parts catalog. They’ve been in business since 1960 and can ship parts to anywhere in the U.S. and world.
Website is www.vapinc.com

UNeedAPart– This is a good way to search for that hard to find car part and has been mentioned on several forums. Go to their website www.uneedapart.com and enter the part you’re looking for by exact model and year. There’s a space to write in more details about the part. This company stocks parts and also has about 7,000 suppliers they can search through for you.

www.chryslerclub.org– Dedicated to Chrysler vehicles look at their reproduction Chrysler parts section that features car parts from the 1920’s onward.

classic car wire wheelGood Antique Car Forums to Help Find that Part

Below are a listing of ten antique car forums that are good sources for locating antique car parts.

www.forums.aaca.org  These are forums on the Antique Automobile Club site. This is a free place to buy and sell car parts and talk about old cars. You are free to read the forum but to participate you need to register. Membership is not required.

www.autoforums.carjunky.com  To participate just register. There are many forum topics that will cover just about anything pertaining to a part for you antique automobile.

www,fordbarn.com/forum/  Discussion boards cover everything Ford from the Model T onward. Good source for car parts and restoration tips.

www.mtfca.com This is the Model T Ford Club of America site and has information about anything pertaining to the Model T. Read the discussion boards or simply register to participate. One of the best sources when searching for Model T parts.

www.vcca.org  This is the site for the Vintage Chevy Club of America. They are a non profit dedicated to the restoration and preservation of all years of Chevrolets. Very good source for finding Chevy vehicle manuals and they produce a monthly magazine. There is a fee to join. With membership comes free classified advertising. All information is on their website.

See our AutoMuseumOnline article on…Your Car’s VIN and Auto Thieves / Don’t Be a Victim

antique ford grillewww..allpar.com/i/forums.html  This forum attempts to cover any Chrysler vehicle ever built. One forum on this site is about vintage car repairs which should give you good information for locating the correct parts.

www.oldplymouths.com  Lots of discussion boards about all models of Plymouths. Tpoics include everything from drivetrains, electrical to bodies and accessories. Check out their parts for sale or wanted forums. Here you can find things like a 1950 Plymouth speedometer.

www..theantiquestudebakerclub.com  This is the site for The Antique Studebaker Club of America. Lots of good information about this historic automobile and club activities. They also provide a link to the Studebaker Forum on the Antique Automobile Club of America site as well as a listing of additional Studebaker websites.

www..classiclincolns.com  Several good forums about Lincoln automobiles from 1940 onward.

www.truckforum.org/forums  This site has discussion boards for vintage trucks. You should find be able to get some advice here on old parts for vehicles such as Dodge trucks. You also want to visit their section regarding truck classifieds for searching for parts. When registered you can list a part wanted.

www.cadillacforums.com/forums  Good discussion board about anything Cadillac. If you’re searching for that hard to find Cadillac auto part this may be the discussion group to ask. A good thread to follow on this site for older Cadillac car parts is found at url http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/classic-cadillac-forum/

www..packardclub.org  Site is operated by Packard Automobile Classics Inc. Check out their forum. Several discussion boards on mechanical procedures and parts. as an example, subject matter can pertain as far back as a 1938 Packard stop light switch and places to find it. Good forums for anything Packard.

www.desoto.org/classifieds  This is the website for the National DeSoto Club. DeSoto cars wanted and for sale are listed on this site. For parts see their classified section. Typical parts offered are fenders, grilles and hubcaps. You can also post a parts wanted ad.

(Article and photos copyright 2013 AutoMuseumOnline)

 

 

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