I was at a swap meet this past weekend and I bought a 1970 Collision Parts catalog dated February 1970. It is approximately 150 pages and lists pictures, part numbers and prices for items commonly damaged in an accident. All domestic 1970 models of Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler, and Imperial are shown.

The catalog says at the beginning "The Prices listed herein are supplied merely as trade information. Distributors, Wholesalers, Dealers or other persons handling the products herein are not required or expected to follow all or any such prices, it is being expressly understood that they are absolutely unrestricted in such respects". Probably a disclaimer for antitrust.

I have a couple of questions. First, are the prices listed in a catalog such as this the price suggested to the customer? Then would the dealer price be say 50% of that and the jobber price be say 65% of this? For instance the price listed for a 1970 Road Runner rear bumper is $ 51.40. The price listed for a 1970 woodgrain steering wheel is $ 33.45 and the price for a black RR steering wheel is $ 20.30 with full ring and w/o Grooved Rim.

Second, most of the parts have a price followed by a B, for instance 9.15B. However some are followed by an A, for instance 1.05A. What is the difference in nomenclature?

2nd Picture

prices listed are MSRP

can't answer the rest,,,,,, but I seriously doubt dealer cost is / was 50% of retail. It isn't now and I seriously doubt it was back then.

The prices were usually a bit low.After the repair you would submit a suppliment for the price difference to the insurance co.The insurance companies and mostly the ins. adjusters were very different then.You could reason with them.

I have a 68-74 Mopar Crash Parts Book. Also includes Dodge trucks. It is awesome for quick reference and interchange.
Mine doesn't have any A's or B's after the prices but does have labor units which is nice for body panels.

Thank you everyone for the answers! Looking at the catalog further, it seems like the "A" items are usual dealer service items; light bulbs, wiper blades, seals, fuel pumps, alternators and the like. These "A" items seem like they would be items the dealer would usually stock for daily use so they would not need to be special ordered. The "B" items seem like they would have to be ordered from the warehouse. So it gives an idea of what types of items the dealer typically had on hand for daily use.

I am also thinking that this catalog is something like a body shop got in 1970 so they could order parts from a C/P/D/I dealer. It is really interesting to see the prices that were charged for items in 1970. Something like a 1970 Belvedere trunk lid was $105.80, making the price of used items pretty reasonable today, reflecting the relative durability of the item. Where the price of things like plastic lenses for lights which have deteriorated/cracked today were really inexpensive in 1970, but expensive today reflecting the relative fragile nature, cost of reproduction and a good profit. Another thing about the catalog is the pictures of the sub assemblies and the accompanying parts numbers tied to the pictures. After 40 plus years it becomes very easy to see where the proper item on a Barracuda was say replaced with a similar but improper item from a Fury.

In 1979 I remember Cuda wheel opening trim cost me $4.95 each and a superbird nose listed for $700, aar cuda black grille was $65, including special shipping charges. It was nice back then just order what you needed and it showed up. The discount varied a little with the part but was 25% or better.