Whats going on with Fiat parts Online

[MNspiderman]

I used to buy parts from Rayce because their prices were great. Then I went back to get more parts and Bam. They sold their fiat stock to some place in Florida I believe. So no more fiat parts from Rayce. Then the other week I was looking to get some stuff from Bayless and they email'd me and told me that Midwest X-19 bought Bayless out and is transfering all the goods to Columbus Ohio to their store, so no goods will be available for a few weeks. I JUST WONDER WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. Any clues. I kinda doubt that its got anything to do with the Chrysler/Fiat deal.

[htchevyii]

I think Art Bayless was semi-retired and ready to be fully-retired, not sure about the other.

[So Cal Mark]

you'll find most suppliers are fazing out Fiat parts due to low demand. The exception is the few that specialize in Fiat parts. My suggestion is to support those that specialize in Fiat parts. If they go away due to low volume maintaining and restoring these cars will be impossible. While once in awhile you find a discounter that has a few Fiat items, they are just skimming the easy to find stuff. If those are the sources you support, pretty soon you will only find the few easy-to-get items and nothing else. It might cost a few cents more, but you'll be doing yourself a favor in the long run. I talk to mfgs all the time about Fiat parts, and rarely will any discuss building items since the market is so small. As manufacturing moves offshore volume becomes the main issue and they won't even discuss low production items.
If you pay attention to IAP, I believe they are losing interest in Fiats and focusing on Alfa.

[narfire]

I tried placing an order with IAP this past week for my newly purchased 72 124. They did not have half the stuff I wanted (eg. timming belt for a 1608) and some parts they said might be in this fall. I have used Iap pretty much exclusivly in the past for all new parts I bought for the 80,other than a couple of gasket sets from Ital in Edmonton, and have been very satisfied. This is scary. Tried Vicks and had better luck but still no gasket set for the 1608. Head gasket is the hard one to get it seems.Just wanted one to have in stock incase the engine needs to be addressed.
Hope they hang in there..just keep rescuing those fiats from the crusher.
Chris

[Gunsmith]

Mark as usual is right on the money. I try to buy everything I can from IAP or Vick's for new parts. Fiat parts are such low volume I can't believe we can get the things we do. It would be a pretty tough sell to get a bank or investor to give you any capital for a Vintage Fiat parts business that's for sure.

[mbouse]

I think Art Bayless was semi-retired and ready to be fully-retired, not sure about the other.

this is fact. remove the word 'think' from the above statement. Matt Brannon and his wife are going full time into Fiat parts. if you are patient, expect to see some parts that have long been hidden from the market as Matt recatalogues and makes the Bayless inventory available in a 21st century manner.

also, expect some favorable changes in our direction from the folks in Fort Worth, as Jerry Lee has personally stated such, in writing.

but like mark suggested, even these suppliers will succum to the law of supply and demand. no demand? supply will dwindle.