Do you remember your fist car? Or maybe a friend's car in high school that was spectacular? That classic car you used to own can be found once again, thanks to the power of the Internet and online reproduction manufacturers.
What makes a car classic is the person who owns it. To you or me, it might look like some clunker, but to the owner, that car is a diamond in the rough, a true gem. Classic cars are getting harder to find, and some are getting harder to keep on the road as new laws make it difficult to have a classic car pass inspection.
Another problem with classic car building is trying to find the right parts that fit the vehicle. If a car made in the 1940s winds up in your stable, chances are you might be the second through tenth owner, and there is no telling what the other owners did to the vehicle. You won't know if anything is original until you start tearing the vehicle apart trying to salvage items or while trying to retrofit some new ones.
Take for instance newer radios. When the previous owner of the vehicle bought a new radio, he indeed cut into the wiring harness ruining the length of the cables and possibly had burned some. So, it would be wise at that point to simply replace the wiring harness from a reproduction manufacturer ensuring there will be no electrical problems in the future. But where do you begin to search for reproduction manufacturers?
Internet Advertising
Trying to find the right rear lens cover for your 1968 Camaro might be a chore unless you know where to ask. Post a message on one of the many free message boards trying to locate your missing part. Also, chances are someone has that part and has posted an ad to sell it. There are many auction sites to look through as well as public message boards.
Hot Rod Associations
Talk with members of hot rod car clubs to see if they know of a place to purchase the parts you need or of a person selling those parts. Most hot rod car clubs post notices in the paper and online on where they meet and at what times. Even though you might not consider your vehicle to be a hot rod, these are car enthusiasts and will love to help you hunt down the part you need. A lot of these member were once in the same predicament you were and have now mastered how to search for that missing part and some just seem to know everybody on the circuit.
Classic car parts are not always readily available and you may have to have something machined in order to get the piece you need. Then again you can always forgo building a car by hand and buying one that has already been completely restored.
