[Fullback66]

I am ready to order some parts for my 66 GTO.
I really have questions on whom to buy from.

My wish list:
1. Door panel lower chrome strips
2. door jamb sill plates (ribbed)
3. arm rests (front and rear with pads)
4. Parking lamp lens
5. Parking lamp lens gasket

This is my first GTO, It has the original parts mentioned above. They are just old and worn out. I want to order these parts and I am sure many more but, who do I buy them from.

I am leaning toward Original Parts Group. I have read some nasty things about them. Is there anyone who can give me some positive feed back from them or have ordered these parts from them.

I ordered some arm rest pads and lock pulls from Ames already and was not overly impressed. I thought the pads were too thick and the lock pulls did not even screw over threads, the threads in the lock pulls were to small.

Do all of these companies buy from the same distributors? And where are the parts made? (USA or Japan)

Cost does not matter to me if the parts are well made and will fit right. (don't get me wrong, I do not want to spend $50 for a gasket)

Please help me. I need to order soon.
thanks
fullback

[Fullback66]

I am ready to order some parts for my 66 GTO.
I really have questions on whom to buy from.

My wish list:
1. Door panel lower chrome strips
2. door jamb sill plates (ribbed)
3. arm rests (front and rear with pads)
4. Parking lamp lens
5. Parking lamp lens gasket

This is my first GTO, It has the original parts mentioned above. They are just old and worn out. I want to order these parts and I am sure many more but, who do I buy them from.

I am leaning toward Original Parts Group. I have read some nasty things about them. Is there anyone who can give me some positive feed back from them or have ordered these parts from them.

I ordered some arm rest pads and lock pulls from Ames already and was not overly impressed. I thought the pads were too thick and the lock pulls did not even screw over threads, the threads in the lock pulls were to small.

Do all of these companies buy from the same distributors? And where are the parts made? (USA or Japan)

Cost does not matter to me if the parts are well made and will fit right. (don't get me wrong, I do not want to spend $50 for a gasket)

Please help me. I need to order soon.
thanks
fullback

[satman]

fullback,

I have ordered parts from all the major restoration suppliers. I think a lot of them use the same manufacturers for some of their parts. I have noticed soup to nuts in regards to the country of origin and quality or the part. I have used OPG, the parts are fair to good and reasonably priced, the only beef I had with them is the shipping and handling costs. When you go figuring out the price of the parts, make sure and add in the S/H. OPG seemed higher than the rest and it scaled up quicker for more parts ordered.

Also need to way in quantity discounts or points programs each may have. I did an excel spread sheet, pricing out all the parts used in my restoration, calculating in the shipping costs within the group of parts I was ordering at any one time.

Any reproduce restoration part is just that, a repro. Not all my parts fit exactly perfect, but for the most part, they were all acceptable.

The door jamb sill plates I did were foreign repro’s. I am not doing a concourse car so that saved me $$ and still looked good. Armrest pads were from Ames, color matched great, fit was ok. My problem is color match. 71 LeMans Conv White interior, some parts are Ivory for Chevy, which is a shade different that Pontiac’s white

When ordering on line, or at least checking parts out on line, I liked PY and Ames because they let you know if a part is in stock, the other you have to call and wait on hold for ever just to ask a simple question.

Another consideration was timing, if I needed a part in a hurry and didn’t realize it until late I the day, OPG is in Calif, two hours behind me. That was convenient at times!

Well, getting long winded here, hope some of this helps!

[Blackcat]

Putchase from Performance Years!
they have great service and it also helps support the forums!

[Rugratman]

Purchase them from PY, that way when you need help installing them, This <span class="ev_code_RED">FREE</span> forum will be here to help you.

OPG, I am still waiting fro my backordered headliner to come in. I have since bought one and installed in from PY..... Last year!

If PY does not have it in stock, there is a good chance that Ames will. They are also top notch. I'm sure they did not make the arm rests.
Blame China........

[gtoguy1967]

I bought every thing you mention plus more from py while at a show. Chris did not have every thing with him at the time and said he would ship me the rest, he did just that and was quick about it.
Don

[mike nixon]

opg, the prettiest catalog and the worst service in my opinion.

p/y is my first call on pontiac parts. the services is top notch and the prices are reasonable. quality has also been good on everything i've bought. they do pack an awesome skid!

ames is my second call, decent parts and service.

if it takes 3 calls to find something usually i'm in trouble.

mike

[Red Goat]

I agree with Mike. PY and Ames both offer excellent service. I have ordered parts from all three, and would not recommend OPG unless you have awhile to wait for your parts. Half of what I ordered from them was out of stock. I was receiving items 6 months later that I had forgotten I had ordered.

[Fullback66]

Thanks guys,
You all have made great suggestions. I will go with PY to order my parts. I have to agree with Mike OPG does have a prettiest catalog.

thanks again,
time to order
fullback

[NW S/D]

Recently I needed to order some parts for my T/A, IMO never a question about who to order from, & then Ccass went & started Pypes, how can it get any eaiser. Thanks to all @ PY.
NW S/D

[Jonesyisgod15]

when i need to order parts it pretty much comes down to whose online catalouge is easier to understand. Bassicly whose description is better so that way i know what i am getting and that there could be no confusion and i get somthing i dont need. I always order from PY or Ames. They both have great customer service and to there best to describe a part booth good and bad.

[Ccass]

PY.....Never like them.

[wolf]

Let's hear the horror stories about OPG. Seems they're the only ones that are willing to ship via FedEx ground to Canada, which I need (UPS has been an absolute nightmare here). My GTO project has been on hold since Ames went to a UPS only policy recently, and I need to order parts from somebody, RIGHT NOW.

[Ccass]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wolf:
Let's hear the horror stories about OPG. Seems they're the only ones that are willing to ship via FedEx ground to Canada, which I need (UPS has been an absolute nightmare here). My GTO project has been on hold since Ames went to a UPS only policy recently, and I need to order parts from somebody, RIGHT NOW. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wolf, we have and always will ship whatever method you prefer. But there are disadvantages to you. Some are critical...as in 'if the parts don't make it to you, you have to deal with the paperwork yourself'.

[wolf]

Chris,

I definitely would like to do business with PY, so I'm happy to read your response, since earlier I inquired about shipping directly to [email protected], and received the following response:

"Sorry we only use UPS or postal service."

As for "paperwork", I'm all too familiar, with all shipping companies when things go wrong (since for US to Canada shipments, I always have to deal with things on my end).

BTW, I had some trouble when I tried the online ordering, so I guess I will call in my order. Thanks.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wolf:
Let's hear the horror stories about OPG. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well . . . I've ordered a few things that went on "backorder" and didn't see them for WEEKS . . . maybe months. Also - I was not happy with the fit of some of the parts I received from them (firewall insul, dash insert). I thought everyone got their stuff from the same supplier and resold it - so I'd shop for the best price - won't make that mistake again. I'd post q's about the particular part you need - some may have better quality than others.


Good luck.