ebay or private party parts finder on web

[Jim Hufford]

Does anyone have any good url to find parts (NOS) sold on the web? So far I only found parts on the web at EBAY and a few other places.

I have problems knowing which parts are out of production or are pretty much impossible to find. I have a complete basket case of a 62, half of a body with a 60 and a completely destroyed 61. I am trying to stick with the 62 since most of the parts are there for it to build. I found out there are plenty of "NOS" parts on EBAY. I think most of the parts on EBAY are overpriced. I am wondering if I am going about it the wrong way buying parts from EBAY.

So far I have bought the following EBAY:
62 emblem
right and left bumperette
lower dash extension
rebound straps (which my dog ATE!)
rear emblem seal
dash lenses (which my dog ATE!) - I am serious!
body cushions (my dog ate three of them).

I really have not spent much yet. I just recieved my first newletter from NCRS which I think has some great deals for parts. I guess my main question is EBAY reliable and have anyone else been using EBAY to buy parts? Is there any other place on the web to find parts sold by private people? I would like to go with NOS as much as I can.

Really what I am looking for is a right front end piece for the 62? Original would be nice though not necessary

[Ed Jennings]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

eBay is not necessarily a bad parts source. Like any other swap meet, you need to know what you're looking at. Check the seller's feedback, it will give you some good clues. I recently bought a NOS 62 radiator, still in the GM box on eBay for $400. There's one just like it advertised in the latest Driveline for $2000!

[Robert C.]

Re:Sell your dog on ebay!!! *NM*

[Jack H.]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

eBay is not an "entity", it's a forum for buyer & seller to meet and interchange. As such, the item(s) you find there are only as good/bad as the seller(s) who represent them. Some ARE knowledgable and there will be a 'buy' here/there. Other sellers are ignorant and represent items accordingly.

The bottom line is: this is YOUR project and no matter how you slice it, you can't divorce yourself from the responsibility of project management. So, why not slow down, close your wallet, set the project aside and come on out to a few NCRS meets to see what goes on? Find out how this/that is judged and get a feel for what you need + how to identify it before you charge forth acquiring items.

In a number of situations, NOS doesn't mean good/correct--it just means new old stock and the equivalent reproduction part may actually be better & more faithful to the factory original item than the service replacement item that qualifies for the term 'NOS'....

[Joe Fisher]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

Try Grossmeulers in New Jersy, I think there web site is "gccorvettes.com.
They only have 53 to 62 parts.
Also, Mary Jo in California. I don't know there site.
Good Luck.

[John M.]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

Jim, Unless you are very knowledgable about what makes a part "correct", Then you should stay with the known vendors. There are people who will call almost any part NOS! There are people that call a brand new Delco replacement fuel pump NOS! Even those of us who think we know our parts well get taken every now and then, and you haven't lived until you try to get payment back from someone who intended to obscure the facts to begin with. Then you have the people who just think a part is correct and represent it as so. You can get some great buys on Ebay, but the best buys come from knowing parts well enough to be able to tell that a part which is listed as a a non-valuable part is in fact a very rare part! Parts that are properly represented as rare or valuable, very seldom go cheap. There are so many knowledgable people looking at parts every day that bargains are few and far between. Regards, John McGraw

[Don E.]

List the dog as containing NOS parts *NM* *NM*

[M W.]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

Jim,
Take it from one who know's ebay is a source for buying and selling parts but you must definetly know the source. I have dealt personaly with Jack Humphrey on locating many needed parts for my 61 redo job and he is first rate. Send him a e-mail and ask him to help. His advise about attending a few NCRS functions is priceless. Goodluck.

[Dennis M.]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

Jim,

I do not which area of the states you are in, but Corvettes at Carlisle is coming up August 22nd to 25th and I have found that this is a good place to see what you are buying as well as some good prices. Several of the repro dealers are there as well as some of the other sources listed in your other responses.
Another option, is to list your wanted items in the Driveline. There are often parts out there that a member may from other projects and have not listed them.

If your are not close enought to go to Corvettes at Carlisle, email me your needs and I will try to get some of the vendors names and email addresses for you. savethewave@radicus.net
Good luck, and also you may want to feed your dog before you open any other deliveries.
Dennis

[Christopher R.]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

Yes, you probably are going about it in the wrong way by trying to buy all the parts you need from Ebay. There's a lot of junk, overpriced parts, and just plain wrong parts there. Every once in a while there's a bargain. But you really need to know what you're buying. If you need to buy "safe" - that is, correct or mostly correct part for a fair price, stick to known suppliers such as Dale Pearman, Mary Jo, Zip, Paragon, Corvette Central, and some others. Depends on what you need.

With the condition you describe of the cars, maybe you'd be better off to stop buying parts for now until you can get an education on them. Concentrate on some other aspect of the restoration. You might consider joining a local NCRS chapter for some on the scene advice.

[Jim Hufford]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

I just joined the NCRS org so I think I am on the right track. I have not had the chance to go to a meeting since I have been on the road for work. I guess that was why I was using ebay on some of the parts. I really have a lot to work on and to learn. I really would like to build one of the cars into a driver with most original parts. I will give some of these people a call. I really appreciate all of your responses. Especially the "NOS Lab for Sale". She is only a year.

It was really bad. I had the parts sitting on the counter for about a week. My wife finally started nagging on me to put the parts in the garage. I placed the parts in a plastic box where some of the original parts are in. I had placed the straps, lens and rubber cushions in the bottom. I took the metal parts and placed them on top. I closed the lid thinking my dog would not get into the box. Well, next morning I went out to the garage to let Sophie out. There were all of the items I purchased in little pieces. I could not find any of the lens. Anyways, for now on the parts are going in the attic.

Crazy dog!

[Todd Pollock]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

Jim-

I am with the rest of the group. I have bought some great things on EBAY and some not so great. I think the best bet is when you find some parts on EBAY throw them in your watch list, and go check your catalogs for the various vendors. The worst thing to do is find something and go bid crazy just because you found it, don't let the emotions play into it. I have saved some bucks by just stepping back and realizing that waiting for the next big gathering or swat meet may be better and you dont have to pay the shipping.

I am on there looking for 62 parts also so don't outbid me!!!

Best of luck

Todd.

[tim anderson]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

NOS Hum...... I have recieved some NOS (jeep parts) stuff that must have been buried in the guys back yard for 30 years. KNOW your seller!

[Steve D.]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

Jim

Finding this board was a giant leap forward for your project. Priceless experience and information is shared freely here.

This bit of advice was given to me about 6 months ago:

Before you do anything else, clik the NCRS Store button at the top of this site. Order the Assembly Instruction Manual, Shop Manual, and Judging Guide for your 1962.

If you want to get an idea about parts prices, many of the vendors have online catalogs with pictures, diagrams and prices. As an example, you might try corvettecentral.com.

Good luck.

Steve

Steve

[Craig S.]

Re: ebay or private party parts finder on web

I am not close to Carlisle either, but it never stops me! Tucson to Harrisburg, Washington, or Baltimore by air and a short drive in beautiful country is on my agenda every August! Nothing beats Carlisle for looking before you buy, and the biggest selection you will ever see....Craig