restoration
How to find parts for a classic car no longer manufactured
Practical guide to find discontinued classic car parts: suppliers, custom fabrication, auctions and trade tricks.
9 min read
You have a broken classic and the part you need has been discontinued for 30 years. What do you do? This isn't the end of the road: there are more options than you imagine. We tell you where to look, what it costs and when it's worth commissioning custom fabrication.
The five main part sources
When a part is discontinued, there's a complete ecosystem to find it. These are the five routes we use in our workshop:
- Old dealer stock: some keep inventory 30+ years
- Classic-specialist scrapyards: pure gold for rare parts
- OEM parts manufacturers: still make small runs
- Brand clubs: have impossible contacts
- Custom fabrication: when it doesn't exist, you create it
Online platforms to search
The internet revolutionized the classic parts market. Today you can find in hours what used to take years.
| Platform | Specialty | Country |
|---|---|---|
| eBay Motors | All kinds of parts | Global |
| Catawiki | Rare auction parts | Europe |
| Classicoholic | Premium European parts | Germany |
| Moss Motors | British classics | USA/UK |
| Rockauto | USA classics | USA |
| Autokit.es | Spanish market | Spain |
Expert tip: always search with original OEM part numbers, not commercial names. Saves 70% of time.
When to commission the part
There's a point where stopping the search and starting fabrication is most efficient. We apply this rule: if you've been searching 3 months, it's time to fabricate.
Custom fabrication is more accessible than you think. Today with laser cutting, CNC and 3D printing, the cost of a unique part has dropped dramatically.
- Simple metal part: €80-300 (laser cutting)
- Plastic part: €40-200 (3D printing)
- Structural component: €500-2,000 (CNC)
- Complete headlight: €600-2,500 (design+fabrication)
- Specific chrome pieces: €150-800 per piece
Specialized scrapyards
Classic scrapyards are the industry's best-kept secret. In Spain there's a network of about 50 specialized yards keeping parts from cars nobody makes anymore.
Most known: Desguaces la Torre (Madrid), Recambios Clásicos Beni (Valencia), Desguaces Cortes (Barcelona). They keep 40-50 year inventories.
Key fact: many rare parts appear in uncatalogued scrapyards. Visit them in person, don't call.
Brand clubs as parts source
Official brand clubs have knowledge that isn't online. They know who has what part and when it'll be available.
Most active in Spain: Classic Porsche Club, Classic Mercedes Club Spain, Alfa Romeo Club Spain, Historic SEAT Club. Annual fee (€30-80) pays off on first use.
Practical tips to save time and money
After years searching parts, these are the tricks that work most:
- Take detailed photos of the broken part before disassembly
- Note OEM numbers before throwing anything away
- Buy in batches when possible (per-unit price drops 30-40%)
- Always negotiate: few parts have fixed prices
- Ask at fairs and gatherings (there's stock in trunks)
Frequently asked questions
Can classic parts be imported from USA or UK?
Yes, but pay VAT + tariffs + shipping. Add 35-45% to listed price. Worth it if no European alternative.
How long does custom part fabrication take?
Between 2 and 8 weeks depending on complexity. Simple laser cut part in 1 week. Complex CNC component can take 2 months.
Are reproduction parts same quality as originals?
Depends on manufacturer. Certified parts (OEM, OES) have identical quality. Aftermarket parts can be better or worse than original.
Where to fabricate custom parts for classics in Spain?
At Gredos Garage we have our own workshop with laser cutting, CNC and 3D printing. We fabricate unique parts for our projects and third parties.
Finding discontinued classic parts is an art combining patience, contacts network and, when needed, custom fabrication. If you have a project stuck due to parts, visit our workshop in Gredos. We solve more problems than it seems.