Finding the right car parts at a swap meet can be a tricky business. Simply showing up and looking for an alternator, a starter, a water pump, or a fuel pump is going to leave a wide margin for error. A lot of times it’s not enough to simply know your vehicle’s year, make, and model when looking for a specific part. Thankfully, with some common sense and modern technology, you’ll never have to buy the wrong car part again. Here are four tips to help you find the exact part what you’re looking for:

  1. Do your research! First, and this may seem obvious, but you need to figure out what you’ve got in the garage. Is your ’66 Mustang a 6 cylinder, a 2BBL V8 289, or a 4BBL V8 289? Does it have a/c, power steering, or the thermactor emission system? These things matter when looking for replacement parts. Different engines and add-ons may require different components. Doing your research ahead of time will help you to get the right replacement part the first time.
  2. Bring a smart phone. Seriously, don’t forget your phone at home. With your smartphone you can instantly verify that the part you’re buying is correct for your classic car. Even if you know the part number you’re looking for, it’s always a good idea to double check it on the lot. Remember, OEM part numbers and after market part numbers may be different… so shopping for a replacement using the part number you scribbled down on an old receipt might not be the most efficient use of your time!
  3. Snap a picture. If possible, take pictures of the original part before you remove it from your car, and also once you’ve taken it off. Pictures can be very helpful in ensuring that the new part will fit your ride. Match your pictures to the new part and you’re good to go!
  4. Bring the old part with you. This may be the best piece of advice we can give. If the part is small enough to carry with you, bringing it out to the show can help greatly. You’ll be able to quickly double check the replacement part to ensure that it has the same fit, sizing, connections, bolt holes, whatever, that the original part had.

The Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show is a great way to find the parts you need for your classic car, while meeting other enthusiasts… who are usually more than happy to share advice and stories about whatever project you’re working on. As California’s largest classic car marketplace, it is the single best place to buy, sell, or look at classic cars. Visit us soon and see for yourself!