When you start to plan your car build, one of the first things to pop into your mind as far as modifications go, are those mechanical items that make you go faster. This could be engine upgrades, transmission upgrades, suspension upgrades and a host of other mechanical items designed to get your car to go faster or just work better mechanically. And lastly, the interior.

The interior typically even comes after paint and body work, and when you think about it, this makes sense. After all, the interior is the last part of your car that anyone sees. The first impression happens when the car is seen or heard, and not when the car door opens up.

But, the interior is still an important part of your car, and really, where you spend most of your time. However, it doesn’t really matter if you need seats or a new transmission for your project. All that matters is that you find what you need at a good price. So, then, this begs the question: where do you get the parts you need?

Well, here’s another question for ya: How much cash flow are we talking here?

If cash is no issue for you, than you can open up just about any catalogue and build the car of your dreams. But, if that were the case, you’d likely not have any desire to read this tech post. I’m not a betting man, but if I were, I’d bet that you’re like me.

Broke…

Your car is on a budget. You can only spend so much money at a time on parts, because let’s face it, this ain’t a cheap hobby. Is this you? If so, keep reading because I have a few solutions for you. Heck, you may even make some money on the way (which is the last tip).

Buy used (or new) off the internet:

This actually isn’t a “tip” it’s a no brainer. Listen, if you’re not already trying to source parts for your project car on the net, you’re missing out because there is no bigger cache of parts than there is on the World Wide Web.

If you buy used from the internet, you can get a great deal on just about anything. You will likely have to buy some of your parts this way, anyway. After all, depending on the rarity of your car, you won’t be able to find those ϋber rare parts at the local junkyard.

But, that’s okay. If you shop around on the net, you’re able to find some great prices on car parts. One of the best places to look is eBay. This is where people (who practice the last tip – below) sell off extra parts that they don’t need.

Junkyard:

You would think that this is another no-brainer. But, maybe not. I’m not talking about walking around the yard and looking for a solid 1967-72 Chevy pickup truck with excellent parts (which is what I’d be shopping for, by the way). Chances are good, that ain’t happening, because most of these trucks were scrapped for metal years ago.

Photo Credit: We Got Used

But, what if I need some bucket seats for my old truck, and I find an intact mid-90s Camaro/Firebird?

I can buy (at my local u pull it) a set of front bucket seats for a total of $40. Of course, I have to do some work, but that’s half of the fun, right?

I just looked at their inventory, and they currently have one Camaro, one Firebird and two Mustangs. And, I’m sure that those aren’t the only cars at the place with bucket seats.

But, I digress…

Whole parts car purchases:

This is a novel idea, and one that I’ve used a few times when I was into the whole 4X4 scene. If you buy a car for a steep discount (whether it was wrecked or not), take what you need and sell the rest, you’ll make out like a bandit. The only downside, is that you have to pay more upfront than if you were just looking for a couple of seats.

However, if you buy the right car, with the right drivetrain, you can actually make money on the transaction, and roll it right back into your project.

For example, let’s say you buy a totaled from the rear mid 90s F-body car (Camaro/Firebird). The car is optioned out well with an LT1 and T56 transmission. Let’s say you pay less than $2,000 for it (which happens a lot).

This Camaro is a base coupe with an LT1/T56 upgrade that sold for 1,600 last month on eBay.

So, you take the leather seats for yourself. And, whatever else you think may prove useful. You sell the drivetrain for, get this, $1,500. More than half of what you spent has just been recouped. You can sell the:

• Fenders: $100 each
• Fender wells: $35 each
• Engine Wire harness: $200
• Rear seat: $50
• T-Top: $50 each
• T-Top holder: 30$
• T-Top headliner: $150
• Smaller wire harness: $40 each
• Rear view mirror: $20
• Door panels: $75 each

Catch my drift here? People buy this stuff because as we learned earlier, it’s cheaper for them to buy it on the internet. If someone smacks their front fender on a huge rock, light pole or something else but the rest of the car is in fine shape, they look for the replacement parts on places like eBay and Craigslist. It happens more often than you might think.

There are other factors that you have to consider, too. For example, not all of these parts are going to sell right away. You may sit on them for a while. And, some of them are pretty big. So you’ll need to store them somewhere they won’t get ruined.

We are currently up to $2,525, and that is just the amount of research I’m willing to do right now. I searched completed listings on eBay for a ’95 Camaro and those were the first few things that came up.

And there’s a ton more stuff on this car to sell. If you paid 2k for the car, you’ve made money. If you paid more for a better car, you’re almost there. The driveshaft, hood, rear hatch, doors, dash components, electronics, lenses, bumpers, rear end, wiper motor, wheels etc. should put you well over the top. The point is that sometimes it pays to get creative when you’re sourcing parts.

I know people who have funded their whole project in this way, and wound up with a beautiful car.

So, tell me. Have you ever sourced parts off the internet, or by buying a whole parts car and then selling the rest? Please let me know in the comments below. Also, let me know if you have any other methods of sourcing parts that I have never thought of.