Is there a UK market for used parts for older american muscle cars?

13 years ago

Google is your friend on this one.

See what the competition is like. If people are selling, then yes there is a market.

Nice "Niche" btw

Thanks
1 reply

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deckman 13 years ago

Originally Posted by GoodnightSweetRatRace

Google is your friend on this one.

See what the competition is like. If people are selling, then yes there is a market.

Nice "Niche" btw

Certain keywords the search volume is three times as large globally vs locally. I need to narrow this search to see where the majority is coming from.

Yeah I am kinda found of it myself. Classical go fast!
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- grafic 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by deckman
  
  Would you say that they are mostly Caddy's and Continentals or?
  
  I had to do a web site for one of these companies once... There is fierce competition over there.
  
  From what I can tell there seems to be two types.
  
  Those who have 3 or 4 yr old limos and then those who have 10yr + limos. Most of them as you say are Caddys and Lincons.
  
  Just recently there the Hummer stretch limos have become really popular and most of the major companies in every town seem to have at least one.
  
  Originally Posted by deckman
  
  Certain keywords the search volume is three times as large globally vs locally. I need to narrow this search to see where the majority is coming from.
  
  Are you just trying to find UK search volumes? Can't you just set Market Samurai to give you local search results?
  
  Thanks
  
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grafic

13 years ago

You might have some luck selling to the limo trade...

There are huge amounts of American stretch limousine companies in the UK. Most have quite old vehicles. They all need spares and I believe they are difficult to get hold of in the UK.

Thanks
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deckman

13 years ago

Originally Posted by grafic

You might have some luck selling to the limo trade...

There are huge amounts of American stretch limousine companies in the UK. Most have quite old vehicles. They all need spares and I believe they are difficult to get hold of in the UK.

I am seeing that there is also a good global search volume for stretch limos. You say that "Most have quite old vehicles". Would you say that they are mostly Caddy's and Continentals or?
Not only does he have several of the above but being in the salvage/recycle/scrap metal biz he is connected with other salvage yards. A lot of this is being sold as scrap to recycle but my idea of recycle is a little different.

Thanks

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deckman

13 years ago

how could i get a true search volume coming just out of the UK. Is this possible?

Thanks

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funkynassau

13 years ago

I have a friend in the UK who is into American Iron from the 50s and he has many friends there with the same interest, so your idea may work well. I've sent him parts a few times for his cars from Ontario, because it was cheaper than ordering them from a US website, the shipping was the killer.

Thanks
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deckman

13 years ago

Originally Posted by funkynassau

I have a friend in the UK who is into American Iron from the 50s and he has many friends there with the same interest, so your idea may work well. I've sent him parts a few times for his cars from Ontario, because it was cheaper than ordering them from a US website, the shipping was the killer.

Thanks for responding. There is also lots of 50's stuff that is being scrapped. Wanna be a middle man?

Thanks
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Mr Bill

13 years ago

Originally Posted by deckman

...There is also lots of 50's stuff that is being scrapped...

I hope not!

Tell me where and I'll go and stand between the 50s car and the crusher.

There is a HUGE UK classic american car scene but I'd say you would want to know what you're selling because these guys really know their cars.

Thanks
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grafic 13 years ago

You could test the market with the limo owners simply by making a few phone calls. Most of them will be quite accommodating as they are owner operated.

You could check out the photos on their web sites to see what car they have first then simply ask them if they were in need of any parts.
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deckman

13 years ago

Originally Posted by WSOHelp

I hope not!

Tell me where and I'll go and stand between the 50s car and the crusher.

There is a HUGE UK classic american car scene but I'd say you would want to know what you're selling because these guys really know their cars.

What would you say are the major types of american cars that are owned/sought after and what parts they would be looking for?

Thanks

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deckman

13 years ago

Dont have MS but maybe I need to get it.

Thanks
1 reply

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grafic 13 years ago

Originally Posted by deckman

Dont have MS but maybe I need to get it.

Its my favorite IM tool

There is a free trial if you want to just check it out.
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spearce000

13 years ago

I'm sure there would be a market. You might test the waters with an ad here: For the best news in the American car World - Classic American Magazine (not an affiliate link).

Thanks

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Mr Bill

13 years ago

Stick to the Big 3 and you'll be fine.

GM (including Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Chevrolet), Ford, Chrysler (including Dodge, Desoto, Plymouth). There are various niches such as stock restored, modified, hot rod (pre 1949), classic (pre 1964) muscle car (1965 - 1972).

All the normal parts are needed chassis/suspension/brakes/steering, body/glass/chrome/trim, interior, power train. Parts are divided into three types. Used, New Old Stock (N.O.S.) which is old parts still in boxes found on shelves and repro(duction) parts which are made new today to fit the old applications.

I know it can be a bit of a chore to find the parts you need but most enthusiasts have got it covered. Suppliers are everywhere but it still could take a while to find what you need. A parts locating service might be a good idea. "I have no idea where it is - but I'll find it for you!"

Thanks

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deckman

13 years ago

Does anyone know of any UK sites that have to do with American Classic and muscle? I spoke to my contact today and the guy has already plucked 150 cars to keep them from being crushed and he saw two come in today. He also said this same guy owns another six yards that we can pull these from.

Thanks for all your help Warriors!

Thanks

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Mr Bill

13 years ago

That's horrifying!

What sort of cars are these? Do you have pics? You'll need lots of pics but keep in mind that cars guys are notoriously cheap and want most things for free or to pay 1950s prices.

Depending on what they are will depend on where they go. Anything American before 1964 should never ever be crushed and then 1964 - 1972 is another popular era. Anything after 1972 is not as popular (for the most part) I've been playing with cars for all my teenage and adult life. I can probably point you in the right direction but cars are not cars. There are cool cars and there are "cru****" cars. Nothing before 1972 should ever be crushed. If I was a billionaire I would save them all.

Thanks
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deckman

13 years ago

Originally Posted by WSOHelp

That's horrifying!

What sort of cars are these? Do you have pics? You'll need lots of pics but keep in mind that cars guys are notoriously cheap and want most things for free or to pay 1950s prices.

Depending on what they are will depend on where they go. Anything American before 1964 should never ever be crushed and then 1964 - 1972 is another popular era. Anything after 1972 is not as popular (for the most part) I've been playing with cars for all my teenage and adult life. I can probably point you in the right direction but cars are not cars. There are cool cars and there are "cru****" cars. Nothing before 1972 should ever be crushed. If I was a billionaire I would save them all.

Is there a market in Australia? I was thinking of focusing on the UK but hey!
The cars are all over the spectrum and I dont have any pics or inventory. Before I go to the extreme of doing this I need to find my overseas market and go from there.
If you have a need for a car part and it is hard to come by then I wouldnt think that you can be cheap. There is a large enough market here in the US to market to and I wouldnt have to market any where else.

I have owned SeaDoos for probably the last 20 years. They use a Rotax engine that is made in Austria and the rest is built in Canada. The parts get very expensive.
I have a good friend from Austria and when he tells me that the Rotax factory is less than an hour from where his dad lives, I got excited. I was in need of a new motor and thought that maybe I could get from there and save a little money being that his Dad travels here to visit and could have brought it with him on the flight.

Not the case. SeaDoo and Bombardier has it locked up tight. I know this is used parts but the same principle applies when you have something that someone needs. Not trying to be a smart ass but if there is no money to be made then why would I even do it?

On another note if there is a market there in Australia and you would like in on the action we need to talk. Maybe we can work together and both make some $$$$.

Thanks

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Mr Bill

13 years ago

I was talking about the UK market. I thought you were in the UK. You didn't mention you were in the US trying to export to the UK. Don't do that. No money in that. Just sell them there in America. Or on ebay. Parting out old cars is not for the feint hearted but you will need to get makes, models and lots of photos before anyone will buy anything. Once you know what you have you'll know what to do with it. Stay away (generally) from anything that has more than 2 doors. Convertibles are coupes are always worth saving especially if they are pre64 or pre 49.

Thanks

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deckman

13 years ago

Once I find the best market I will. I know there is a market out there I just need to find it and if that is here in the US then that is where I will market. Just looking at all angles my friend.

Thanks

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Mr Bill

13 years ago

Yep, I get that now but you didn't say that in your original post so I presumed you were in the UK with US cars about to be crused looking for UK buyers and that was very rare so you got my attention but now I know you're in the US that is obviously the most massive car market in the world so just set up a site with a massive picture gallery with 4 or 5 pics of each car and you'll get people coming.

Thanks

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dougyt

13 years ago

I knew a guy who had an American only breakers yard here in the UK and he shut up shop a good few years ago. There are a lot of American cars still in the UK though and as someone pointed out already there are a couple of specialist car mags (American Car World, and Classic American) so there must be a bit of a market.
I used to drive American cars in the UK personally (not for profit) and then there was a few specialist shops but they seem to have died off, but the cars must still be around somewhere needing parts.

Thanks

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deckman

13 years ago

I think that I really need to just have a site built and not worry about trying to market to one general area. I think that if someone is looking for US car parts that they would be searching in the US.

Thanks for all the input warriors!

Thanks

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Is there a UK market for used parts for older american muscle cars?

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