Finding Classic GM Parts

No automotive restoration project can move forward without access to the parts needed to get the job done. Time, money, space, skill and tools are all important too, but the ability to get the parts you need can make or break any restoration project, especially when working on older classic cars that are no longer supported by original factory replacement parts. Granted, a lot of restorations are undertaken as long-term projects where a good deal of time will be spent massaging and refurbishing used parts. However, project cars are notorious for surprises and the smallest and seemingly simplest restoration task can often turn into frustrating and time-consuming work, especially if you don’t have all of the parts you need to get the job done correctly.

Finding the parts needed to complete the restoration of an older car can be very challenging, more so if you are trying to utilize original factory equipment only. The older the car, the more difficult it will be to locate original parts, as many cars that are a few decades old now are just not supported by the factories anymore. This is especially true for classic GM brand cars, as the manufacturer quit making a full inventory of parts available for its older model cars back in 1982.Those enthusiasts who think that their local automotive junkyard will be a good source of inexpensive parts to restore an older car will likely be in for a bit of a surprise when they learn what’s really available out there. Although most auto graveyards come in two varieties, the full-service yards where the parts are already off of the cars, and the do-it-yourself yards where the customers bring their own tools and personally remove the parts they want, neither type is likely to have a very good selection of vintage GM car parts. Even if they do have the part you’re seeking, it will rarely be in very good condition and will almost always require some repair before it is usable at all. Nearly all junkyard parts involve some degree of rust and bent or broken pieces are common too. Although an enthusiast might find bargain prices attached to junkyard door handles, cylinder heads, lights, glass, body panels, and suspension components, the parts are likely to be in fair condition at the very best.

Even at those salvage yards that deal primarily with vintage cars, the chances of finding the exact parts you need for a specific car restoration are typically very low. Instead, what you are more likely to find is a lot of parts in marginal condition that can’t be used on your own specific car. If you do find a component you think you can use, you’ll have to inspect it carefully to make sure it works and is usable because salvage yards rarely offer guarantees after you’ve taken a part home. Although it can be a time consuming process, better places to gather used parts can be at your local swap meet or through online resources like eBay’s “Popular Parts and Accessories” category in its extensive “Motors” section. Another nationwide resource that can yield GM vintage parts is the Hemmings Motor News publication. Hemmings Motor News is a monthly, multi-hundred page publication described as the “World’s Largest Collector-Car Marketplace.” Although it is mainly filled with complete cars for sale, within each issue there is a large category titled “General Motors Parts” and it contains a wide range of vintage GM parts advertised for sale by private sellers around the country.

A more efficient solution for locating the parts needed to restore your classic GM car is to take advantage of the huge inventory of brand new, perfect-fit, restoration parts available from Original Parts Group. Inc. Ever since GM quit making its full inventory of parts available, OPGI stepped up to the plate and now offers a very wide selection of GM replacement parts. Parts from OPGI look exactly like the original factory equipment and are made to the highest standards of fit, finish and function, and in some cases, the new OPGI parts are built and finished even better than the original equipment was. Shopping for OPGI parts online will also be a lot easier than digging around through a swap meet or salvage yard.
Today, OPGI provides nine different free catalogs covering nearly every component needed to restore a classic Chevelle, El Camino, Monte Carlo, GTO, Grand Prix, Bonneville, Catalina, Le Mans, Tempest, Cutlass 442, Skylark GS, Riviera and Cadillac. Anyone undertaking a classic GM car restoration project will find that OPGI’s free catalogs are indispensable tools filled with hundreds of full-color pages of classic GM parts. Be sure to get yours today, the latest 2013 OPGI catalogs are now available for the asking by mail, by phone or online at www.OPGI.com