Describe it. We’ll find it.
The part you can’t name, the supplier you’ve never heard of, the NOS find you’d given up on. Tell CarSpanner what you’re looking for — in plain English, from a photo, or by part number — and we’ll tell you exactly what it is, what your options are, and who actually stocks it.
Classic car parts hunting is a game of patience — obscure forums, dead supplier websites, and waiting days for a response that may never come. CarSpanner cuts straight to what you need: the correct part name, your options (OEM, NOS, or quality reproduction), and the specialist suppliers most likely to have it in stock.
No signup. No subscription. No nonsense.
- “Leaking from somewhere behind the camshaft on my 1967 MGB”
- “Unknown trim clip from a Series 2 E-Type. No markings. Photo attached.”
- “The chrome thing that runs under the rear quarter window on a C2 Corvette. Nobody can tell me what it’s called.”
- “C9OE-8505-A — water pump for a ’69 Mustang. Is this a genuine Ford casting?”
- “The front suspension bush that three different suppliers have given me three different part numbers for”
That’s enough. Start there.
Why CarSpanner is different
Knows the difference between OEM, NOS, and reproduction
Not all parts are equal — and for safety-critical components, the difference matters considerably more than the price. CarSpanner explains what you’re looking at, when each type is appropriate, and which to avoid. For brakes, steering, and suspension: quality reproduction or NOS only. Always.
Knows which specialist suppliers actually stock it
The right part for a 1965 Austin-Healey isn’t at a chain auto parts store. It’s at a marque specialist with thirty years of inventory and the institutional knowledge to match. CarSpanner knows the supplier landscape — British, American, German, Italian, Japanese — and points you directly to the right one for your specific vehicle and part.
Can identify parts you can’t name
Upload a photo of an unidentified component. Describe the symptom. Say “the thing that connects X to Y.” CarSpanner works from casting marks, part numbers, physical characteristics, and vehicle context to identify what you’re looking at — and cross-reference it against the supplier who stocks it.
One conversation. The right part.
The part you need might go by three different names. The supplier who stocks it won’t appear in a Google search. The forum thread with the answer was posted in 2009. CarSpanner knows all of this already.
You describe it. We find it.
Tell CarSpanner what you need in plain language, upload a photo of the broken or missing part, or paste a part number. No jargon required. “The rubber thing connecting the gear lever to the gearbox tunnel” works fine. So does a blurry photo of a rusty bracket with no markings.
OEM, NOS, or reproduction — you decide.
CarSpanner explains what you’re looking at. Original equipment, new old stock, quality reproduction, or reconditioned — each has its place in a restoration. We tell you the difference, when each matters, and which to avoid for safety-critical components. No guesswork required.
The suppliers who actually stock it.
The right part for a ’65 Healey isn’t at a chain auto parts store. It’s at a marque-specific specialist with deep inventory and decades of knowledge. CarSpanner knows which suppliers carry what, for which vehicles — and points you directly to them.
Ready? Tell Geoff what you’re looking for.
Find a Part →If it has a dedicated specialist community, we know it.
Classic and historic vehicles occupy a unique space — exempt from modern emissions regulations in most jurisdictions, maintained by specialist communities rather than franchised dealers, and sourced through supplier networks that have almost nothing to do with mainstream automotive retail. CarSpanner speaks this language.
- Jaguar (E-Type, XK, Mk2, XJ6)
- Triumph (TR2–TR6, Spitfire, Stag, Herald)
- MG (MGA, MGB, Midget, MGC)
- Austin-Healey (100, 3000, Sprite)
- Land Rover (Series I / II / III)
- Morris (Minor, Marina)
- Austin (Mini, A-Series, Westminster)
- Lotus (Elan, Europa)
- Ford Mustang (1964½–1973)
- Chevrolet Camaro (1967–1981)
- Chevrolet Corvette (C1–C3)
- Chevelle, Bel Air, Nova
- Pontiac GTO, Firebird & Trans Am
- Dodge Charger & Challenger
- Plymouth Barracuda & Road Runner
- Studebaker
- Porsche 911 Air-Cooled (1964–94)
- Mercedes-Benz (190SL, Pagoda, W114)
- Volkswagen (Beetle, Bus, Karmann Ghia)
- BMW 2002 & E9 CS
- Opel GT & Kadett
- Alfa Romeo (Giulia, Spider, GTV, Montreal)
- Fiat (124 Spider, 500, Dino)
- Lancia (Fulvia, Stratos)
- Citroën (2CV, DS, SM, CX)
- Renault (R4, Caravelle, Alpine A110)
- Peugeot (404, 504)
- Datsun / Nissan Z-cars (240Z–280Z)
- Toyota Celica (TA22–RA21) & FJ40
- Honda S600 & S800
- Mazda RX-7 (early FB / FC)
Free. Always.
CarSpanner is free to use and always will be. No subscription. No premium tier. No account required.
When you find the part you need and click through to a specialist supplier, CarSpanner earns a small affiliate commission — paid by the supplier, not you. You pay the same price you’d pay going directly. Not a penny more.
It’s a clean model: you get expert, unbiased guidance; suppliers get introduced to customers who know exactly what they want; we earn enough to keep the lights on. Nobody’s incentive is misaligned.
Everything you need to know about CarSpanner
- Is CarSpanner really free?
- Yes, completely. There’s no subscription, no premium tier, and no account required. CarSpanner earns a small affiliate commission from specialist suppliers when you click through and buy. You pay the same price you’d pay going directly — the commission comes from the supplier’s side, not yours. You get free, expert guidance; suppliers get introduced to a buyer who knows what they want; we keep the lights on. Nobody pays for anything they didn’t buy.
- How does CarSpanner identify parts it can’t see?
- Upload a photo. CarSpanner’s AI examines visible part numbers, casting marks, manufacturer stamps, shape, dimensions, and mounting points to identify what it’s looking at. You can also describe the symptom: “leaking from behind the camshaft” or “the rubber connector between the gear lever and the tunnel” gets you to the correct part more often than you’d expect. On desktop you can drag-and-drop images or paste directly from your clipboard.
- Does CarSpanner cover all classic vehicles or just popular marques?
- CarSpanner covers any classic or historic vehicle with an active specialist parts community — which is most marques worth restoring. British (Jaguar, Triumph, MG, Austin-Healey, Land Rover, Mini), American (Mustang, Camaro, Corvette, Mopar, GM A-body), German (Porsche 356 and 911, Mercedes-Benz, VW, BMW 2002), Italian (Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia), French (Citroën, Renault, Peugeot), and Japanese (Datsun Z-cars, Toyota Celica, early Mazda RX-7). If a vehicle has dedicated specialist suppliers, CarSpanner knows them.
- What’s the difference between OEM, NOS, and reproduction parts?
- OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts were made by or for the original carmaker — right for numbers-matching concours restorations. NOS (New Old Stock) are original parts, never used, still in their original packaging — the gold standard for serious concours builds. Quality reproduction parts are made to original spec by specialist manufacturers — ideal for driver-quality rebuilds. Reconditioned parts are original components professionally rebuilt to working condition. Pattern parts — cheap generic copies — should never be used for safety-critical components. Read the full guide →
- Can CarSpanner help with safety-critical parts like brakes and suspension?
- Yes, but with stricter sourcing guidance. For brakes, steering, suspension, and fuel system components, CarSpanner will only recommend OEM, NOS, quality reproduction from known specialists, or professionally reconditioned parts. It will not recommend pattern (cheap copy) parts for safety-critical applications. Always confirm the correct part with your chosen supplier before ordering, and consult a qualified mechanic before fitting safety-critical components. Read the safety components guide →
- Where can I find classic car parts online?
- CarSpanner searches across specialist suppliers, eBay, and marque-specific dealers to find OEM, NOS, and quality reproduction parts for any classic vehicle. Specialists like Moss Motors, SNG Barratt, Classic Industries, and NPD hold deep inventory for their respective marques; eBay is the largest single marketplace for NOS finds and harder-to-source items. CarSpanner covers 20+ suppliers and directs you to the right one for your specific part and vehicle — all in one conversation. Browse the supplier directory →
- How do I find NOS (New Old Stock) parts?
- NOS parts — original parts, never used, still in original packaging — most commonly surface on eBay Motors, through marque-specialist clearance stock, and via classic car club forums and newsletters. eBay is the largest single source: precise part number searches and saved alerts beat one-time browsing for rare items. CarSpanner helps you identify the correct OEM part number so your searches are accurate, and can suggest which specialists are most likely to hold NOS for your specific marque and part.
- What are the best classic car parts suppliers in the USA?
- For American muscle and pony cars (Mustang, Camaro, Corvette, Mopar), the leading specialists are Classic Industries, National Parts Depot (NPD), JEGS, and Summit Racing. For multi-marque and import classics, RockAuto and Pelican Parts carry wide ranges. eBay Motors is the largest marketplace for NOS and harder-to-find items across all marques. CarSpanner’s supplier database covers 20+ specialist and general suppliers and recommends the right one for your specific vehicle and part type. Browse the supplier directory →
The part you’ve been hunting for, found faster — with the confidence that you’re buying the right one.
Classic car restoration is a patience sport. The searching shouldn’t be.