Using NOS car parts in a classic car restoration project is preferred by many car collectors.
Just what does it mean when car parts are referred to as NOS?
New Old Stock (NOS) sometimes called New Obsolete Stock or even New Original Stock. NOS car parts are old car parts manufactured for auto dealers to service and maintain vehicles, but the car parts were not sold at retail. In other words, it’s an unused replacement part that is similar if not the exact same as the original car part installed when the car was assembled. The term NOS can refer to other industries too. In general, it can represent any merchandise being offered for sale which was manufactured long ago but that has never been used. The product may not be produced anymore, and the new old stock may represent the only source of original replacement parts available.
In the automotive industry, car manufacturers like Ford, GM, Chrysler etc. either manufactured car parts or licensed the rights to manufacture car parts to subsidiaries so that there would be a supply of replacement parts available for car dealers to service and maintain vehicles. For example, GM had developed a series of for profit parts manufacturers like AC/Delco that were owned by GM and developed replacements parts to be delivered to GM dealerships. Car parts manufacturers often produced replacement car parts for several years beyond original production dates for any given car model.
When the original manufactured replacement car parts were stocked as inventory at dealerships, but went unused, the dealerships often sold these surplus parts to private buyers to reduce their inventory costs and get recoup car part inventory costs.
Why use NOS car parts in your classic car restoration
NOS car parts fit like an original car part. While there may be an additional expense, NOS car parts can be far better than after market reproduction parts in fitting, time installing, and often can increase the value of a classic car restoration.
What to look for when buying NOS car parts?
NOS 1954-1955 Ford Crown Vic Amp gauge FoMoCo
When buying old car parts, keep in mind things like if the NOS car part has the original packaging. For example, this classic Ford car part includes the original FoMoCo part packaging.
1955-56 292 & 312 engine exhaust manifold
Look for car part identification numbers stamped on the NOS car part. Take a look at the original NOS car part for a 1955-56 292 & 312 Ford engine. Notice the Ford NOS car part is stamped with the part number identification marking. Look for crisp lines and markings. Sometimes an original mold is used to reproduce New NOS car parts which can fit fine, but over time, the mold can show wear and tear that show in the finished car part. This may impact the fit and installation time for the NOS car part.
NEW NOS car parts
New NOS car parts are available too. These new car parts are often manufactured under an license agreement with the original automotive manufacturer with the intention of replicating the NOS car part. See the Ford Logo marking has lost some crispness and the lines are a bit blurry. Could be the result of an aging original NOS car part mold.
NEW nos part packaging
New NOS car part water pump
NOS car parts Summary
OK class, lets review. NOS stands for New Old Stock and means the NOS car part was made by OEM manufacturer, a subsidiary or a licensed car part manufacturer. The NOS car part was produced to be shipped to car dealerships for repair and maintenance purposes and were very similar if not the exact same part as the original. Look for original parts packaging, parts stampings that are crisp and if possible any documentation that included in the original packaging.
Sometimes a NOS car part is actually a NEW NOS part. Meaning a new car part was manufactured to replace discontinued parts. Often these parts are produced under license from the original manufacturer and in these cases are a high quality car part.
Some New NOS car part manufacturers are not producing under a license and these parts can be of inferior quality and poor fitting which can lead to increased installation time and may reduce the value of a classic car restoration. Unlicensed New Nos parts could be referred to as reproduction parts which some reproduction manufacturers offer quality products, but many do not.
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