Many times a week people stop in looking for an odd part. A fuel pump for a 1949 Packard, a wheel bearing for a 1936 Nash or anything that traditional parts houses cannot get.
We then begin the search! After years of hunting for rare and scarce parts, we have developed quite a few sources (Read that OLD guys). A lot of the guys we work with either want a phone call or a letter and by the way, DO NOT ask about email information, as some will hang up on us!
Just recently we were working on the fuel system on a 1932 Hupmobile. After getting the fuel pump rebuilt, we needed to modify the new sending unit to regulate the amount of gas. I remembered that many years ago, I bought a selection of gaskets for fuel pumps. After being on the shelf, never using anything from it, I found the correct gasket. Now that is good luck!!
Some cars like the Model T or Model A Ford or a 1955, 56 or 57 Chevrolet have available reproduction parts listed in catalogs, available at shows or on the internet. Today it is possible to “order” a complete 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop body for around $22,000.00 or a Model A Ford, Mustang or Bronco body for around the same amount. Usually repairing a vintage body with a lot of rust would actually cost more than the purchase of a new body.
By the way, we found a New Old Stock fuel pump for the Hupmobile and the price was only $1,200.00! We rebuilt the fuel pump for $175.00. Much of our time at major car shows is spent looking for part sources, contacts with older vendors and generally looking for any leads we can find. We are lucky to have quality machine shops, metal fabricators and other repair shops to handle some situations we are not equipped to handle. Folks, stop by for a visit!!
