ok this is a BIG post for Mr. Me. OK as most of everyone on this site...i am restoring my camaro...and i need parts to do all this. I, therefore, need a place to buy them from. As i am here in Cali...i am thinkin NPD would be good for everything because they are close. Does NPD use GM certified parts...i want the real ORIGINALITY correct stuff from GM (chevy whatever). Are they a good dealer for the natural stuff like interior door panels, chrome bumpers, knobs, bells and whistles etc. ??????? Do they have a good reputation, service, QUALITY PARTS, etc??? HELP please! should i get repro, original parts...so confused???? thanks everyone.

NPD is great on most things, others get from Classic, also located in Southern Cali.
With NPD though keep in mind that the Cali store closes around 8, and calls after are forwarded to Florida. If ordering late night, specify that the parts get shipped from the Cali store. No matter what your looking for, you'll have to run the gammit of more than two parts houses.
NPD
Classic
Ground Up
The Paddock
Rick's
Ecklers
D & R Classics
Camaros & Classics
In no specific order, but all have good and bad. Classic seems to carry more OER, but charges more on a lot of items too. Price, availability and patience play a big roll in the game.
As for wether you should get repro or NOS. You'll have to answer this question.. Who are you building the car for? Yourself or to impress the Jones's. The Jones's aren't flipping the bill for the parts. You can get good and bad of either, and both will likely take some work to fit properly. In the end though, do what makes you happy. Thats the only way we all enjoy our mistress's.

I think you are going to find that it depends on what you are buying. Original parts like sheetmetal and such are always going to be better than the repop stuff, no matter who you choose. Interior and other hard to find OEM parts are going to be hard to come by this day and age, and will be pricey for quality specimens.
It's all in what you want and can afford.
After hearing of the troubles of some repop quarters for example, I am the type that would buy a shell and take from it what I needed.
Some things you just can't get original OEM anymore. I've never dealt with NPD, but have you considered Classic Industries? They are local to you as well.
Just remember, any aftermarket parts place, will never reproduce an "original" part. If you want "original" be prepared to pay for it.

I have dealt with NPD numerous times. I have never found a better outfit to deal with. I'm in NY and when they ship i have the stuff in 1-2 days. There are 2 places that i consistantly order from one is NPD and the other is Summit Racing both have outstanding customer service you wont be dissapointed with them

I've had good luck for Ricks First Generation. I always seem to have my stuff within a couple of days. Classic Industries is good as well. Keep in mind if you order from the east coast shipping will take longer. For aftermarket parts, both Jegs and Summit are great places to order from with good prices on most things. I've never dealth with D& R or NPD so I would assume they are good places as well. I do know that my brother got a lot of crappy parts from the Paddock when he restored his Nova a few years back.

If you want some bookmarks, send me an email (buttons above the message). I've got links to all sorts of stuff including our sponser Ground Up Restorations (http://www.ss396.com)

I am here in California. I prefer buying out-of-state. No sales tax. Classic is mostly higher in price than Ground UP, Rick's and Classic Muscle. Classic Muscle is a Chevy dealer in North Carolina and sells a lot of GM parts. In a pinch I have used Classic (with their 20% sale). I don't see freight being that much higher from back east. Just my $.02.

ok so which dearler sells the most of correct GM parts? Also what does all those OEM, OER, NOS, etc words mean?? Which is more pricey, better quality etc???

Camp, The way I understand it is... OEM means Original Equipment Manufacture. Meaning a part made by GM back in 67,68,69, etc. OER means Original Equipment Reproduction. Meaning a part made from original tooling or remanufactured tooling on a date after 67,68,69, etc. Pretty much started in the early 80's until now.
NOS has 2 interpretations, New Old Stock, or New On Shelf. Both mean (to me anyway), that they are OEM parts made by GM in the same time frame as the car, and have never been installed or used, so in a sense are "new".
As far as better quality and fit? OEM
As far as most pricey? OEM
This is what I believe to be true, but maybe others can chime in with corrections.

Camp, these cars are 35 years old... there are very few GM parts, and those that exist are either on ebay in very old boxes (NOS-New Old Stock) or in the bowels of some Chevy dealership somewhere.

Virtually everything for our cars is reproduced. Much of it carries the "OER" Logo, that stands for Original Equipment Replacement. These boxes are approved by GM and carry GM's logo as well. In some cases, this is little reassurance of quality, case in point being dash pads, which universally s*ck.

Many or most small detail stuff, emblems, bumpers, interior parts, and much much more are readily available AND very high quality appearance duplicates of the original parts.

I've dealt with Rick's, NPD, and D&R, and have never been disappointed. I deal mostly with D&R, cause they're close, but this sales tax thing's got me thinkin about that.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer); OER (Original Equipment Reproduction); NOS (New Old Stock). An OEM part would be one that is made by the company that originally supplied it to the car factory for use in building the car. OER is a company that is licensed by GM as an official restoration parts manufacturer. You will find the Genuine GM logo on these parts. You have seen their bold yellow and black logo OER I am sure. NOS parts are those that were made back in the day but have never been used. Good luck finding those($$$$$). If you are not doing a concours resto just work within your budget and do what makes you feel right. Good luck.-----Scott

ok thanks everyone...so if i just stuck with NPD and/or Classic Ind. (have two maybe if one didnt have something)...would i be ok?? Also, i know Classic uses OER parts...but do you guys know if NPD does...i dont want some "XYZ" brand of repro parts...I would like the OER repro parts. thanks

i believe classic is oer, and other companies carry oer as well, including npd. but, fyi just because it bears the gm logo, ala oer, does NOT mean its the best stuff. i have had great luck with npd, but also with a local guy, who i usually try to buy from (vintage camaro). i think your better off buying from a place that doesn't have particular interest in a company, such as oer, and they may sell you whats a better reproduction, not just what thier line is. this is why i like my local guy, he sees the stuff and wont carry crappy repops, because he uses it too. just my opinion of course.
i can say i have been sorely disappointed in some of the oer stuff i've gotten from a "classic" distributor, namely any interior soft trim.

i see...u mean like inner door panels, dash, console, etc. Hey i just noticed that i bought my camaro in everett! cool! I got it from a guy named rich...wonder if you know him...he has 70's camaro too. So where is a better place to buy interior stuff?

That's one thing I like about D&R. They carry a number of different manufaturers stuff, and their sales staff in not shy about saying what to get and why. They also often have nos body parts, as well as salvaged used stuff.

Originally posted by JimM:
Camp, these cars are 35 years old... there are very few GM parts, and those that exist are either on ebay in very old boxes (NOS-New Old Stock) or in the bowels of some Chevy dealership somewhere. My point on Classic Muscle selling Gm parts was that they have "quality GM replacements" that Rick's etc. may not carry. graemlins/beers.gif

I was just up at NPD on Saturdaypicking up a drivers side fender. I must say that I was quite impressed with the service and knowledge of the counterperson. Fast service too...I ordered the parts, paid, got them, looked them over and was back in the car with 15 minutes. I have always used classic in the past and have been fairly pleased with them except they are a bit of a drive in LA traffic. The front fender I got was a repop ROT - Republic of Taiwan. I installed the fender on Sunday and the fit was fantastic. I have heard horror stories about NPD in the past, but i was pleasently surprised. The fender was $30 cheaper than Classic, paid 3/4% less in sales tax and picked them up. Freight on fenders is pretty high.

Bob