Folks Of Interest What an Auto Parts Store should be.

The local CarQuest is called Surfside Auto Parts. A true car guy owns it and started a club called Our Gang where they have meetings every other Sunday and wrench on member's cars. Brake jobs, front end rebuilds, carb swaps, etc. He gives car guys like me the club discount even if you are not an active club member. Good people.

 

Don & Lens NAPA, Belvidere, NJ

When I walk in they usually skip the computer and go right to the old books.

Seriously, They're good guys.

 

You were lucky Tim, you know what its like up here..............

 

Aint that the truth.


I feel pretty lucky to have some of the locals shops here in town. The Napa parts people don't stock a lot of old-timey stuff but usually know where to find it.

AutoValue is another I have good luck with, but only if dealing with Rhonda or Amanda. The rest (worst of all, the manager) are a buncha puts'.

By far my favorite to deal with is Elmac/Bumper-to-Bumper. I have yet to stump them yet, they're fast and polite. If you are in town and need help, go see Tiffany @ B-2-B she'll go out of her way to help you out and isn't scared of the old stuff.

PartSource can kiss my ass.

 

Franks Auto Parts in Melvindale Michigan 313-382-4648. He is a hot rodder, does all sorts of machining, still presses bearings, turns old ford drums etc. Here's a pic in front of the place, my kid made it look old. When you walk into an autoparts and there are 2 complete Hilborn Injection manifolds on the shelf above the counter, you know you're home.

Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

 

Arrow Automotive in Flint. Mi. and Holly auto parts in Holly, Mi.

Both top of the line "REAL" auto parts stores. Walk in with a part. They know it and they have it or it will be there tomorrow noon.. Even the odd ball stuff I bring in to them. But, like the rest of us. They aren't getting any younger and several of the guys are way past retirement age.

 

And that's a fact for most of us

 

Midway Auto Parts in Greer, SC...owned by Fred Taylor, who used to be a big dirt track fan. Several guys in there that's been at it for a while, and still have a lot of old stuff in stock. I walked in earlier this year and bought a rebuild kit for a 1955 Chevrolet master cylinder.

The Napa in Greer is pretty good too. Used to be call Earley's, but I think they changed the name of it.

Even our local Advance on 290 in "Duncan" is not bad, they dont have a lot but they are helpful and at least try.

 

Belmont Automotive Distributors in Belmont, NC. I've been doing business with them since the mid 60s (they've been there much longer). Run by a wonderful lady by the name of Wanda. If she doesn't have it she will get it. She is a real peach to deal with and has probably forgotten more about cars than I will ever know. If you're in the area drop in for the kind of service and attention you won't get at the chain stores.

 

Calling on the other states out there to have at least one store. Back to the top.

 

My family used to own Downers grove auto parts it was one of those place ......to bad my family decided to sell it after my grandma died

 

A parts store should be more then just a parts store for car guys. It should be a place to hang out shoot the shit. Most of all they should be there for a shoulder to cry on when you have no one else. Just sayen. maybe im dreamen.

 

There is a real auto parts store on Sheldon Rd in Channelview(east Houston) You can always tell when you have walked into a real auto parts because the place always smells of chemicals and heavy cigarette smoke. I'm not a fan of cigarettes, but an auto parts ought to have cigarette smoke in the air.

 

Lee Auto Supply in Alameda (NAPA) is my go to parts store. Guys have been around forever and know their shit. Even the young guys that work there know what's up or when to ask the old guys.

 

After some 55 years of messing around with cars,here in Vegas, the choices for a decent parts house with personel that give a darn,are getting slimmer . Some of the NAPA stores have pretty good help and will work at finding what you need. It's all about the people. I have to flashback to 1955 , General Auto Parts and a mentor, lifelong friend Jimmie Dudas, this man knew cars, he knew parts and would grab what you needed without looking in the book, you notice I said needed not wanted. He knew the difference and would explain it to you. I followed this gentleman from one parts house to another and probably pissed off many countermen by asking for Dudas by name. Sadly Jimmie passed a few years back and I still feel his loss . I learned a great deal from him --Thank You Jimmie !!

 

Our Napa in byesville Ohio is doing a fine job too they still will take the time to break out a book and find the right yeah it may take a day or two but what the hell that's what parts stores are spost to do sell parts right

 

Seems that NAPA is still at the forefront of parts service, for the most part anyway. Ely's that I spoke of in the begining is also a NAPA store.

Our Shop was a NAPA at one time with great counter personel, just a machine shop now.

 

There's a mom n' pop CarQuest up Normandy, MO that stocks everything down to clutch head drivers and 6v bulbs. One dirty old computer, the same guy workin every day and the customer area is maybe 15x6'. The attached garage/shop next door has some early '50s cars going in and out and the the old timer in the shop behind/below is restoring a Pierce-Arrow. My buddy's shop backs up to the alley behind. ...its a little slice of urban automotive heaven back there.

 

The name of the place would help

 

ED's Auto Parts (one of the best)

919 East Covina Boulevard Covina, CA 91724
<table class="ts intrlu" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><nobr>(626) 756-4335</nobr></td></tr></tbody></table>

 

We have a carquest here too. Good place. You can tell it's good by the jack stand/car jacks/engine stands for sale in the window.

Hate big parts places most of all for the "upsell" when I'm pretty sure if I wanted something else than I asked for.. I would've asked for it.

 

Thanks Man!

 

I wish we still had a good old parts store around here,the last one close by closed up around 8 years ago due to a death in the family,I will have to admit I strayed away when the big stores came rolling into town but slowly came back after I realized what was going on. No computer but plenty of books and a hand written receipt,I was joking with then the last time I was in there that if they ever hired someone who worked at the big box parts stores they would have alot of troubles with books only.

 

Adair's in Mazie, OK was one of the best old time parts stores around when I was growing up. I haven't been there in years, so it may have changed since then. Kenny really knows how to build a slushbox too.

 

Napa in Conroe, TX.

It's locally owned, has a machine shop in the back and has knowledgeable countermen.

There are swivel seats to sit on and the counter is all worn down in places...from years of guys leaning on it and sliding car parts across it.

About a year ago, I was getting into my car in the parking lot and a bum approached me to ask for money and the manager came out, threw the guy off his property and told him to never come back.

That's old-school right there.

They're a bit more expensive, but I GLADLY support them with my business.

 

Centereach Auto Parts in Centereach LI.

It is a family operation, same family since 1960 with a machine shop and Mike is a heck of a welder with a 300 amp Lincoln (that I told him would be a bad investment & he is very smart...doesn't listen to me).

His father Butch is a wealth of knowledge at the counter and they even deliver. Chain stores have come & gone over & over and they are still there.

 

Napa in Novato California, Steve and Jason yes others not so much. Plus Vintage Vehicles ( 74 and older only please ) is around back.


Poverty leaves an impression

 

Cool! The last two are from each end of the country, keep them coming in please.

 

Around here we have the usual suspects.O`Rlieys,Auto Zone,Advance and NAPA.The first two do pretty good,as they have some pretty experienced counter help.Advance not so much.And NAPA?Well,the last time that I was in there,the place looked like an explosion in a land fill.Dusty,dirty and just plain nasty.Have`nt been back since.
Generally have good service at the first two mentioned,unless they are plumb slamed.Like on Sat mornings.Don`t mind the wait though.Have a chance to visit people that I have known for a while as we wait our turn at the counter.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Cotten's napa on east river road in anoka Minnesota. Good mix of young car guys and cranky old timers who all know their shit. I frequently get parts there for my galaxie and flatheads that other stores tell me are no longer available....