Thread: Spare parts and repairable cars into the future.

I have no direct experience, but I was under the impression that most parts for the Ford T were still available? But bear in mind that this would not include most body parts, as except for pressed steel parts like running boards, mudguards etc, the bodies were usually repaired from raw materials rather than 'parts'. But parts are no longer cheap.

Originally Posted by prelude

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Finally I do agree that the P38's popularity is waning. When I started there still was some activity around the vehicle but these days there is not much. Still, a decent one (like in the state I bought mine back then) will cost up to 4x as much these days! And that with parts availability drying up... ouch..........................

-P

Looks like you should've bought two P38's, one for spares.

Met my next door neighbour yesterday (on the boundary). He has bought a 'new' tractor, only 18 years old. He told me he wanted to buy an older one that was simpler and easier to work on "but they're all worn out and cost too much".

Support for tractor parts of all ages is pretty good, we have a 100HP Fiat of early 1980s vintage and I don't thing there is anything I haven't been able to get that I've needed for it. Even the parts support from New Holland (who bought out FiatAgri) is pretty good for the specialist bits, although I believe that some parts like the rear axle were still in production until pretty recently.

Regards,
Tote

Yes, so far I have had no issues getting parts for my 1969 Chamberlain. But his point was not lack of parts, but their condition and price made newer ones more attractive.

At the risk of sounding like a Defender driver there is a real conundrum there. Using our tractor as an example which has around 6000 hours on it later models can be had with more features but the disbenefits of software controlled operation, less tolerance to poor fuel and condensation, more complexity and difficulty to repair start creeping in, particularly when ours might be lucky to do 100 hours a year.

Regards,
Tote

If you want to see the old gear can do, see the true story of Alvin Straight Alvin Straight - Wikipedia which inspired a movie "The Straight Story" who rode a 1966 John Deere riding mower240 miles to visit his ailing brother.

Originally Posted by RANDLOVER

Looks like you should've bought two P38's, one for spares.

Oh I have a spare P38 lying around However, I already used most of it. My wheel bearings have been replaced several times over (I think water ingress is what is killing them) The prop shafts have been nicked, both rear lights one front, front wing, bumper... the list goes on and on.

In any case. We will see what the future brings. I think I'll stock up on my tools (like a lathe) so that I can fabricate my own stuff when needed.

-P