Where do you look mostly for new projects or parts? Do you have a favorite junk yards or swap meets? Online forums, craigslist etc?
I've had the most luck with Craigslist. You've gotta keep on it though, and be willing to spell things wrong and drive a ways. Always check the overlooked areas on your craigslist. And sometimes perfectly good cars are in the "parts" category.
If it is something you have been having a hard time finding, the next big swap meet hang a 'sandwich board' sign over your chest and back with your wants written in marker. Many times, someone at the meet will say that their neighbor or someone has exactly the item you were needing. ---John
They find me. Folks know I'm into older cars so everyone always says hey so and so has this or I saw this in her yard.
Thanks guys! I do the craigslist thing and sometimes ebay and swap meets. Always wondered what methods people are using to find what they are looking for. Seems like lots of people on here come across some amazing finds!
I have found alot by just listening at car shows-swap meets or resturants. I seem to perk up at key words instilled in my brain. And like Ester Eddie they find me. The hunt is half the fun.
I used to find a lot of stuff in back yards and such places when I had a job that allowed me to go places unnoticed or not appear to be an intruder. But I no longer work there so I hear about stuff through networking. Listen in to people talking about old cars and start a conversation with them. Driving an old car sometimes starts the conversation with people whom you would not think knew about them.
I much prefer to find everything at swap meets, but I have had the most luck (by far) finding both parts and cars the past 13-14 years online.
I'm pretty lucky to live in a area where there are still a lot of cars and trucks. Tons of trucks. I just drive around. I allso pig hunt a bunch of places and find them that way. Just make sure you have cash in hand. The easiest time to get them is the first. And most of the old folks have had people stop an never come back.
Oddly enough, most of my favorite projects were vehicles that someone else saw and thought I might be interested in, usually they were right.
Five hour radius of Craigslist Swap meets friend network and always keep cash on hand for those guys that have parts or cars and need money
My favorite method is driving. I like to drive anyway-I drive to clear my head or just for fun. I'll pick a direction and go until I get to an area I've never been to, and look. Hitting the streets is where it's at. Knocking on doors is very effective, or has been for me. If you're already driving an old car, it helps loosen them up a little too...
Do you know anyone that works on the railroad, good friend of mine does, RR'ers get to see the backside of every building in typically not the best part of town, find a RR'er with a smart phone and have them click the gps coordinates on anything they see
fix cars for hot rodders! my favorite thing to do is trade parts for labor, these guys have all the parts anyway
UPS guys, mailmen, utility company guys. They all run a route and can tip you off to some good stuff.
Just thinking about it... even pool cleaners would be a solid person to help get leads. atleast here in california where you need pool service year round
I like Craigslist, but I also have a friend that goes to auctions, mostly farm but others in the past I've told him what I'm looking for and he usually can find it or knows other buyers that might have it. The auction guys all know each other and who's looking for what.
The Jalopy Journal
