But while OEM is preferable, it can be costly at times Although, it is always recommendable to
go for OEM products, they are a bit costly. While OEMs may charge their customers and afford
the original equipment manufacturers, third-party manufactured parts may be relatively cheap
without compromising on quality. You can buy everything from the bolt to the nuts from
companies such as Rock Auto and CarParts.com if you are the owner of a vintage car.
A lot of the time these are made and designed in a slightly different form from the OEM but are just as good.
Pros: I have available, lower prices, quality products which are more or less similar to brand products.
Cons: Usually not same as OEM parts but may be compatible almost immediately in some cases but require some minor adjustment.
3. Junkyards and Salvage Yards
Owning a vintage car means one day discovering a goldmine in the dumpsites and scrap collectors.
Unless the boat has been poorly used, these places can turn into goldmines for finding affordable
used parts that are in good shape. Sometimes you would have to search for hours by going from
one car or one yard to another before finding what you were looking for. If you are new to buying
parts from salvage yards you may not be so sure of where to begin, you can use websites such as Car-Part.com to search for nearby salvage yards.
Pros: Cheap, may obtain a hard-to-find replacement part, environment friendly.
Cons: Some parts need to be refinished, not many on hand, takes time.
4. Vintage Car Clubs and Forums
Another way is to go online and search for a vintage car association or website where people, who are interested in antique cars share experience and information. People in these communities can provide or exchange parts, and occasionally at cheaper price than conventional retailers. Further, you will actually get the ideas from many members who could recommend where to purchase such part.
Hemmings, for instance, has a sales section where you can find and purchase parts to restore your car, as do ClassicCars.com and the Automobile Club of America (ACA). These groups also organize meet’ where its member along with other veterans of vintage cars and related vendors can be met personally.
Pros: Potential to meet potential sign language interpreters, instructor referrals, potential cost savings.
Cons: It may within certain time visit take time in looking for the exact part to join and availability depends with the members listing.
5. Specialty Retailers
When it comes to medium quality products with reasonable price, specialty retail stores are also quite suitable for you. Original Parts Group, or OPGI, and Classic Industries are alike focused on retro vehicles, and both can offer a plethora of choices. These are retailers who provide both OEM as well as aftermarket auto parts and you are assured of getting that perfect fit for your car model.
Pros: Reliable sources, variety of parts, stock and non-stock or original and used parts available.
Cons: May be even slightly costlier than junkyards and online marketplaces but a much better option for sourcing your Food Truck.