WOW, have parts gotten expensive!

by 77camino Tue Feb 15, 2022 9:43 am

I can’t believe that NOS parts have got this expensive for our cars. I bought a NOS set of wheel well moldings about 15 years ago for $250. I understand supply in demand, but I’m still shocked.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-77-Chevelle-El-Camino-NOS-wheel-opening-moldings-Full-set-of-4-/284652304218?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

by Mcarlo77 Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:09 am

Back in '97 (a year after I picked up my '77 Monte), I went looking for wheel opening moldings. Even then, it was a scavenger hunt trying to find one here and one there at various dealerships around the country as they were already discontinued. When I did find them, the price was $54/ea. for the fronts and $30/ea. for the rears. Guess this Seller figures someone will pay his price for the convenience of getting all four at one time.

by zucchi Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:32 am

The price of unobtainum will forever continue to increase.

If you can arrange for someone to tool up to bang out 100,000 sets and saturate the market, you may be able to get these for less.

by impalamonte Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:35 pm

The dies to re-create these x4....would cost a minimum half million each . And I may be low in that assumption.

by zucchi Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:54 pm

impalamonte wrote:The dies to re-create these x4....would cost a minimum half million each . And I may be low in that assumption.

Using that scenario, @ $2M, that comes out to $20.00/set for 100,000 sets plus materials and labor. Even if the dies were twice as much, then adding material, labor, and profit…, who here wouldn't pay $200.00 or even $300.00/set for pristine new manufacture pieces?

The biggest challenge would be to find 100,000 buyers.

by crice63 Tue Feb 15, 2022 4:42 pm

Don't some of these companies get ahold of the original dies? That would be the way to go here.

by relic7680 Thu Feb 17, 2022 1:26 am

I've been after a set for my '76 for years....saw some during my early days on eBay ('05-'06) but passed on them for a few hundred bucks. That was a mistake. I still don't think these cars are popular enough for somebody to justify reproducing good ones, unfortunately.

by 1973 454 MONTE Thu Feb 17, 2022 9:42 am

monte parts are not that cheap either...ww moldings sold for 1800$.

so glad i bought mine in 88 for $10 each..

by 76Chevelle2Tone Tue Jun 14, 2022 4:39 pm

Be thankful if you are only looking for Chevy parts.

by Mcarlo77 Tue Jun 14, 2022 8:29 pm

This is why you'll never see much in the way of repro trims for our cars...a couple wks ago I decided I needed to run back out to my favorite yard (French Lake Auto) where I've had such great luck finding nice parts over the years. It had been a year and a half since I'd last been there. They had not gotten any new G3 arrivals in that time (which was very unusual for this yard) and had crushed a few of the old ones. Of those still remaining, as far as I could tell, not one had been picked thru since the last time I was there. In some cases, I noticed the parts I had set aside inside the cars were exactly where I had left them after deciding not to buy; including a floor console/shifter assembly. That, and along with my keeping a pretty watchful eye on Craigslist while noticing that what few parts are listed linger unsold for months...and, who knows if they ever sell, or the Seller just pulls the listing. Maybe things are different on Facebook marketplace...but, I just don't think this area I live in has much of an interest for these cars.

by g3chevy / Mr Pontiac Wed Jun 15, 2022 5:24 pm

I've wondered the same as to why more reproduction parts are not made for our vehicles. Companies like MotoRealm have faithfully reproduced the wheel well trim for 73-77 Lemans/Grand Am/Can Am vehicles and they cost $250 a set. Maybe with the advent of 3-D printers they were able to make inexpensive molds to produce these??? I have confidence that more and more reasonably priced reproduction parts will be available for our cars in the near future.

WOW, have parts gotten expensive! Motore10

by ant7377 Thu Jun 16, 2022 8:11 pm

I remember buying them in the dealer for 25 bucks each. I even bought them down at Carlisle for fifty bucks each at the end of the 90s. I wonder if they can be 3d printed and wrapped in chrome 3m wrap? You would think they would sell well since they cross 5 years of Monte Carlo's and the low rider crowd likes them on the cars.

by fasrnur Mon Jun 20, 2022 9:49 pm

Sad to hear Mcarlo77. French Lake has been one of my go to yards for parts for our cars. I haven't had the need for anything lately though. Great yard for sure.
As for these cars here in the Twin Cities, they're out there. I've seen a few more in the last couple of years in my daily travels. Not to mention that this body style has gotten a little bit more attention on late at some of the big auctions.

by impalamonte Tue Jun 21, 2022 10:53 am

Also, one would think that our cars would be gaining popularity as a lower cost alternative to get into the car hobby.

Stylish , 2-door , etc.

Guys...have you seen the prices people are asking for old 4-door cars?.....unreal at times!!

64-72 Chevelle , Nova , Camaro are mostly outside the realm of purchase due to outrageous "asking price" for people wanting to "get in".

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