Just wondering about the part suppliers and the over all deal with that ,all you find is for the most part is chevy parts or 68-72 Cutlass parts aftermarket,Whats the deal? When talking to retailers they say no that part won't fit.Just venting.Nick

 

Supply...





Demand.




- Eric

 

It's called economics 101. Vendors are not a charity. Before manufacturing a repro part they determine if there is sufficient market to generate a profit. There are a lot more 68-72 cars being restored than those on either side of that band (and more 70-72 than 68-69, even), so parts availability is focused on where there's a market.

Sorry, but I have to laugh when I hear a complaint like this. If you think availability of 1965 parts is tough, try finding parts for a 1962 F-85 wagon.

 

When my wife decided we needed a convertible, I started looking around at what I could afford. I decided on 70-72 cutlass because of parts availabilty. I really like the front of the 68's better. Would have loved to get an old starfire or dynamic 88, but as a beginner thought better of it. Maybe the next time.
My first attempt at restoring an old car was in high school and was a 70 Opel GT. Before internet and finding parts was next to impossibe that was a total failure for me. So this time I made sure I could find parts somewhat easier and was at least a little different from the multitude of chevy and ford products.

Larry

 

Just my opinion, but it seems like there's more interest in the 66-72 A body market, and as both Eric and Joe pointed out - the $$ is where the interest is. There are some company's however that specialize in post war.

Not exactly cheap either to get some parts for 68-72. Take the Thornton W25 hood for example.....you can buy cheap pin ons, all fibreglass bolt ons, but they're not the same. Troy likely spent hundreds of thousands just in the tooling for this hood and it doesn't pay for itself by selling for the same price as cheaper (and not structurally similar) competitor models.

That works the same with 'options'. No one in their right mind will start producing a licensed GM 'option' that won't fit the niche of the enthusiast market or make money. So yes, call it supply/demand or Economics 101 and both are 100% right. Doesn't it suck to be one of the lone voices calling for demand?

 

I have no issues with supply and demand, a business is a business.

The two issues I do have lie with misrepresentation. If you're a vendor, and you don't market everything for everyone, and have no interest in doing so, do not claim to be God's gift to the restoration hobby and proclaim that you're in it to get cars back on the road and all that. If it's just a business to you, don't pretend it's something more than it is. For instance, Fusick's claims they have it all; they don't. Not by a long shot, and most of it is for just those years.

My second beef is with individuals. It's pretty easy to see who is a hobbyist, and who will pass on a good deal to a fellow hobbyist by selling parts he doesn't need at near what he paid for them, versus people who are in it for the money, who aggressively buy cars for deals, then part them and label every part that's common to the Olds A Body as a 442 W-30 part and demand top dollar.

I've got no issue with either one, but don't expect me to think you're an all around swell guy when you show you're in my hobby just for the money.

 

Supply & demand is right. It's like I can find lots of 2 door body parts like rear quarters, etc, but not alot of 4 door body parts. Especially for things like quarter panels. In this case you have to be lucky enough to find a donor car or really good body guy.

 

Well, I can respect the business aspect although I have some issues with some of the representations too, but not necessarily the same as your thoughts.

I'm not sure where you got your comment about Fusicks having it all. I looked in their cataloge and they say:
That's a far cry from saying they have it all, they simply state that they have a large percentage of what is available in aftermarket parts for these cars. But like I said I don't know where you got your information. And don't get the idea I'm a Fusick fanatic - their descriptions and products are lacking in some areas and their prices and shipping is getting pretty ridiculous IMO. I use different vendors for my parts supplies and today nothing is cheap. Some good deals come up on ebay but few and far between.

I am rarely surprised by comparing prices of the same aftermarket prices from the big aftermarket vendors. There can be anywhere up to 50% variation in pricing, so it just pays to shop around. Thank goodness for the net.

As far as how other hobbyists or enthusiasts go? I leave that entirely up to them as to how they want to pass along any parts they want to sell, trade, or give away. I've done that too with little thought of valuation EXCEPT on extremely rare parts. Those that I am wiling to sell help offset the cost of other projects. I know you inherently understand that too. For some folks struggling in today's economy,parting out cars for profit keeps the family going and I can only admire that. Even a hobbyist has to see their stash or project as a profit opportunity from time to time.

Anyway - it's ok to vent. I think we all need that from time to time. Doesn't take away the frustration but it sure feels good to release it, doesn't it? Best of luck on any future parts hunting for your project(s)!

 

Sorry, I was making a post in an established discussion. Wasn't looking to argue with you, "vent," or be a target for condescension.

 

It seems like there are more restoration parts available today for our cars than 10-15 years ago..

 

While you are frustrated, I have to agree with Allen. Fusick never claimed to carry every part for every Olds ever made. It just isn't economically feasible (at least not until 3D printing gets more mature). The fact that you CAN buy every part for a 69 Camaro brand new is a function of a market that's probably two orders of magnitude larger than the market for Cutlass/442 parts. Frankly, you should have tried to restore one of these cars 20 years ago. Be thankful for the stuff that IS available today. To me, chasing missing parts is part of the fun of restoring an old car (the thrill of the hunt). If you are looking for a car you can restore with a catalog and a charge card then Oldsmobiles are the wrong place to look. Sorry, but that's just the truth.

 

I agree with Joe that Allen was more than fair in his comments. Not only does Fusick deserve the defense, it should be pointed out that Fusick was here for the Olds guys long before almost all of the other Olds suppliers that jumped into the market when car prices climbed. Old friends are good friends.

 

Allen and Joe spelled it out.
Frustration is part of the HOBBY.
You Have to enjoy the hunt.

Fusic, Brothers, Legendary...
Hey, be happy there are parts
there that are at least available,
even if they need a little tweaking.

They can be a heck of a lot better than
beat up old pieced together originals.
Just my .02.

 

Yep, look at the pic of my 72 supreme under my name. Those wheel wells in the quarter panel are actually 67-69 camaro fiberglass patches that I had to cut up and bondo on because I couldn't find any parts for that car in 1980.

I too understand some frustration, many of these places have and continue to list parts as 68-72 or 70 - 72 when the are really a 69-70 part or 72 part only.

Repo parts can be a double edged sword. Easier to make clones but can also save many cars that just 20 years ago would have been considered worthless

 

Again, I did not post in this thread to get sucked into an argument. I would appreciate not being lectured or criticized, nor have words placed into my mouth. I did not say I was frustrated, and I've been collecting parts for my 442 for the better part of ten years, none of them being repop, so assuming that I am somehow new to the hobby, new to Olds, or desiring to order a bunch of repop parts with a credit card is erroneous.

 

Just to clarify, that your posts are in an open Forum which is commonly used to express ideas and opinions as you have done. Not expecting a response is illogical. May I suggest starting a blog and disallowing comments to your blog to better meet your goals.

 

I don't think I said anywhere that I did not want, nor did not expect, a response......

 

Point taken. I didn't think this was an argument - just a side discussion on the topic of parts supply. I certainly apologize if my interpretations and comments were/are interpreted as condescending; it was not intended that way at all.

It did sound like a vent and some degree of expressed frustration based on:
What's also a little confusing is
Parts suppliers/vendors are in it for the money - plain and simple. Are you suggesting a supplier or hobbyist to just give you parts for their cost? How do they make any money to live or further their project? The net result to them is they did all the legwork just to make someone happy?? Excuse my saying so but I think that's an idealism that just doesn't work.

Most of the people I know would agree the economy doesn't run on the barter system. I have tried it but it's not often successful as one party inevitably expects more for what they have than the other party is offering - so it's a compromise at best. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Just saying.

I thought carefully about your last statement to understand your point. The more I looked the less I could shake away what appears to be a contradiction of terms. First you have beefs, and then you say you have no issues when you clearly do?? So, in all fairness I'll just conclude I misunderstood what you were saying and leave it at that.

On the Plus side
If you can afford to make parts acquisitions work one way or another with no additional cash flow or loss, respectfully and sincerely, my hat is off to you and the other party. This is not condescending or negative in any way - just an exchange of ideas, ok?

 

Alan, thanks for a well written, polite, and reasonable reply.

Maybe "beef" was too strong a word, perhaps "disagreement on business practices" is a better term. I don't actively despise anyone for what I am about to say, I just would do it differently if it were me (which is why I am not in that business).

A common advertising theme is "we're just like you, and in it for the same reasons." In this hobby, it's "we're all car guys." But, I have seen companies, and individuals gouge, and gouge hard, while being all "we're all car guys here."

Yes, it's a free market, but there's a problem with old cars, digital media, and guns and ammo in a gun control panic, and that is that they all lose all touch with reality. You can't put a reality-based price on something when it's the only one, or only one of a few, around. So people price them, and some guys try for every penny, and some guys just try only for a fair profit.

So, on one hand, you have businesses professing to be car guys, but only making the things that will yield max $$$$, as opposed to just turn a profit, and on the other, you have parts hoarders trying to make 300% profit. Those two kinds of people are the only things I mind about having a non 68-72 Olds.

Hope that explains my ramblings.

 

Much easier to understand. Thanks for clarifying.

 

I should have known better dealing with OPG the sales guy i talked to wasn't sure about the part i was asking about.Basicly they lost me as a customer, i ordered the same part from a different vendor for 30 bucks less including shipping.The hunt for parts i enjoy, i've had great luck obtaining parts here from other members and am greatfull.Nick