what do you collect of parts ...and how many?

[Domino]

Super question for which there is not a correct answer. I have so many parts many of which need restoring before they are usable that I have simply run out of storage space. In fact, they take up so much room that I can't even work on the cars I have. While I have put it off for a while I need to rid myself front ends, rear ends, blocks (with hairline cracks), 3-4 transmissions, etc. I just don't have the heart to "dump" parts and due to location it is not feasible to sell via ebay and the like. My wife keeps asking "what am I goign to do if something happens to you with all your stuff". That indeed is a very good question. Guess out of respect I should due somethingto ease her concerns.

Don't do as I do but keep an "extra" of those that would mostly need replacement.

[LukeDahlinger]

I primarily collect NOS parts and excellent sheet metal when I find it for a good price.

Have been collecting early 28 stuff for a few years in hopes of building a 4 or 5 digit car at some point.

[Purdy Swoft]

Over the years I have collected any model A parts that I thought I might ever need , if the price was right. I've ran out of storage space and will have to build more storage buildings or quit collecting.

[asapguy]

In 2002 I purchased a huge collection of orig., mostly used, Model A parts. It was from two wrecking yards that had lots of "A" parts. There were 50 eng. blocks, cranks, cams, etc. Lots of sheet metal stuff, 48 doors, 20 cowls with gas tanks, 35 rad. shells, 60+ wheels, 20 frames,, 300 brake shoes & too much other stuff to mention. I bought it from a restoration shop that was being sold. The guy that had it wouldn't sell any individual parts. I bought all the stuff as a lot. It took 17 trips with my 3/4 ton PU & car carrier trailer to get the stuff home & each trip was 150 miles round trip. I've sold about 75% of the stuff & have kept the items I may need. The nice thing is I can usually find any thing I need for my own cars. There were also many bins full of new nuts, bolts, washers & screws. On the down side, there was so much stuff that it was impossible to check every part. I got 35 heads & over half were cracked as were many of the blocks. At least a good % of the parts are back being used.

[TDO]

I do have some extra parts, couple engins,carbs, springs ,cranks, cams, rear ends,and more. you can't get enough. I'm like a kid in a candy store when I get around Model A parts. Good hunting to you all.
Troy

[Paul_nz]

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Okay, time to fess up, books about Model A's, can not go past them. Every now and then, you do need to lay down on the couch and have a good talk with yourself to realise that we do not have an obsession with our passions.

[Jerry Parr WI]

When you need a part you buy one. Then you find a better one, and then an even better one. After a few it becomes a habit to always buy that part. Then it becomes another hobby to organize storage.

[Stretch Cab]

I have a nice office at work with plenty of book cases. We are a ministry organization and while it would be expected of me to have an office to reflect "ministry" mine reflects special things in my life. I have a clock mirror from an A or V8, two Zenith 3 carbs, Texas commemorative gear shift knob for 1936, (off my fordor) and other items like the old wall hand crank telephone. I think sometimes the boss doesn't know what to do with me. Books I will never read mean nothing to me, but each part has a memory. I have a special metal stool that I love to sit on in my barn and just look at my other stuff. Eclectic should be my middle name but sitting there is very calming. I'm not a hoarder, I'm a curator.

[Stretch Cab]

Oh, forgot to mention an original quail.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Jerry Parr WI

When you need a part you buy one. Then you find a better one, and then an even better one. After a few it becomes a habit to always buy that part. Then it becomes another hobby to organize storage.

When you start building special racks for each part (brake drums), then you know you are in trouble! LOL

[Ed in Maine]

Collecting parts is part of the hobby. I go for starters, generators,water pumps and carbs. I look for the stuff that can get you off the road and ruin a weekend. A few years ago I had the job of cleaning out my Mom & Dad's house of 50 years of stuff. What a terrible job. So while you are collecting, also know when to part with your stuff. Label things so that your heirs will know what it is and what it goes to and its approx. value. The last thing you want is to have all those great parts that took you years to find to end up in the dump! Ed

[wrndln]

What I would like to know is how to organize all the parts I have. I have tried to store them in boxes on some shelves with a title marked on the box as to what it contains. However, there are so many different parts, that's a lot of boxes to try to easily access. Most parts that are large are no problem as they can't be lost or misplaced easily. However the small and medium sized items are quite numberious and take a lot of space. Any suggestions (I know - get rid of a bunch of them) would be helpful.
Rusty Nelson

[Purdy Swoft]

I line the walls of my model A parts buildings with shelves. I like to use coffee cans for carburetors and other parts that will fit. I keep carburetors and carburetor parts together in cans with notes inside like where I got them, what I paid. If the part is restored I list what was done and when . I keep engine parts together and so forth and so on. I have a few buildings filled with model A parts in this manner.

[msmaron]

This is where you ALL Have to be next month...book your space now or show up and find what else you need or dont!!!

Contact me on a PM and get reserved NOW!

[Purdy Swoft]

Some of the larger parts that are not too heavy, I hang from the trusses in full view.

[msmaron]

great post BUT See mine on WHO Will sell their collections?????Hmmmmmmm

[Purdy Swoft]

I've ran out of space to organize some parts. My shop and buildings are full of parts. I can barely work in the shop anymore because it is so cluttered with parts. I've got to put up more buildings.

[Purdy Swoft]

A few more.

[CJH]

When I first started in this hobby, I could not understand why someone would spend the time or money on old parts when there are parts stores full of shiny new reproduction parts.

Then I started buying some of those parts . . .

Now I fully understand collecting quality original pieces!

Chris



P.S. I do recognize that there are some good reproduction parts available.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Yo, Purdy,
You remind me of our REAL GURU, he "THINKS" he has 8 out-buildings in his orange grove!LOL.
I'm still holdin' the COFFEE cans for you, got 20 now! Bill W.