Finding the Right Parts to Restore Your Classic

Vintage automobile repair is serious. Restoring older cars is no small feat—the hours of manual labor, thousands of dollars, and sporadic bouts of frustration it involves require a dedicated commitment to see a project through. The biggest challenge in repairing and restoring classic cars comes from searching for parts no longer in production. For hobbyists and enthusiasts, scouring their local, national and international markets for a specific, rare part is the ultimate treasure hunt. Thankfully, some cities throughout the United States are better equipped than most to cater to this niche set of needs.

The antique car business requires intense knowledge and a collector’s spirit, and Ohio knows just how to help. Shops and salvage yards can span decades, makes and models, but searching for classic auto parts in Cincinnati can lead to a relatively short hunt if you know where to look.

Classix Auto and Trux

In 1989, founder Steve Ruben opened a salvage yard for older vehicles, specializing in collector cars. The original Classix focused on pre-1980 General Motors automobile salvage and started buying up parts and cars from individuals, salvage dealers, and salvage auctions. Over the years, Ruben’s collection grew to include first-generation Camaros, Firebirds, and Monte Carlos.

Over the next 10 years, Classix acquired the inventories of collectors and Gearbox Grannies, a national distributor of reproduction and aftermarket General Motors parts. When the demand for aftermarket auto parts in Cincinnati made up 80 percent of Ruben’s sales, he closed the salvage yard to open the warehouse on Voorhees Street today.

Classix has a 1,000-square-foot showroom and another 1,000-square-foot space operating as the restoration and service shop. While they do take on some projects for customers, those restorations are limited to disc brake conversions, sheet metal installation, floor panel installation, and suspension restoration. They also restore fenders, trunks, and hoods in their warehouse.

The 4,000-square-foot warehouse is home to the wide range of parts offered, which can be installed in the service shop after purchase. Classix has a nationwide client base, with a reputation on an international scale in collector’s circles. As part of its services, Classix carries a variety of classic model cars at any given time, including the Chevy Nova and Oldsmobile Cutlass. It offers free consolations and ship nationwide.

Green Sales Company

Founded in 1957 by John Greenleaf, the Green Sales Company is an independent Ford and Lincoln-Mercury parts warehouse. Greenleaf began the business by leaving the Fuller Ford dealership and moving to Fairmont products, a company that supplied aftermarket Ford lookalike parts. Because Ford did not have a buy-back or trade-in plan for old parts, John saw a unique business opportunity and ran his own trade-in program with dealers.

His collection grew rapidly, forcing him to house the parts in two chicken houses in Hamilton, Ohio, and eventually outgrowing those as well. Around 1967, Greenleaf opened his own store.

Circumstances forced him to move his collection again in 1973, and again in 1993, as the number of Ford parts expanded past its housing. Part of this need directly came for the termination of dealers in the area, as Green Sales Company bought out full inventories for affordable prices.

Today, the 120,000-square-foot warehouse is home to the collection of almost two million individual parts. Selling over 220,000 different parts, both current and obsolete, Green Sales Company has locked down auto parts in Cincinnati for Ford makes and models. The majority of the clientele is made up of service centers, hobbyists, and dealers.

As part of its services, the company specializes in brakes parts, suspension, mouldings, water pumps, and more. Green is easy to find and look up parts, whether or not you know the exact number, and it works with customers internationally.

Sam Smyth Imported Car Service

Classic car restoration isn’t just the business—the Smyth family has passed down their love of vintage cars since the business was established in 1934 Ireland. Sam Smyth, owner of the Cincinnati store, has been professionally trained by both the Rolls-Royce Owners Club and Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club for both the USA and UK. He began learning from his father and grandfather in their garages, training at nine years old with certified mechanical engineers. The store is Cincinnati’s first and oldest European car repair center, founded in the 1950s.

Above all, the company specializes in Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles but deals in European and other foreign designs as well. It provides appraisals and brokerage on rare and unique collector vehicles, gearing towards a high-end market. A major component of its business is providing brake service, providing the factory parts for all its cars to properly run despite age.

Smyth technicians specialize in European vintage and classic cars, offering a variety of services. The business is well known for restoration and maintenance but also deals with sales, services, and auto parts in Cincinnati. For those looking for imported and international parts, Smyth is one of the best options in Ohio.

Online

If finding a specific classic auto part in Cincinnati still proves difficult, keep in mind there are many online forums and websites dedicated to vintage car enthusiasts. Some forums are specifically geared toward a single make and model, with other hobbyists who can help search for the part as well. Swap meets can be organized to sell, trade, or buy these auto parts.

Online auctions sites can also turn up classic auto parts, as can searching through online databases and inventories. Many warehouses are able to be searched via their website for aftermarket parts. Some local salvage yards may be better known for carrying classic cars, so it’s always a good idea to search online as well.

As time progresses, more and more automobiles are graduated to vintage or classic status. Cincinnati has a wide array of both contemporary and historical parts available from a number of well-established vendors. For anyone already invested in the hobby or those who are thinking about getting started, auto parts in Cincinnati are more readily available, with experts ready to help