Parts to stockpile

I've a '67 GTX and have noticed that some small parts are hard to obtain via local auto parts stores. For example, I had a hard time finding seals for my brake rotors; rear wheel cylinders; several years ago it was getting a new P/S pump. Distributor caps and rotors have to be "ordered". Bulbs for the various lights. There are other parts, but I wanted to keep the list short for the readers. So, I've been stockpiling these items purchasing from Rock Auto. Have you guys had similar experiences? What are some other parts I need to stockpile? I understand the market for classic car parts is shrinking, and manufacturers are cutting back production for business purposes. But because of the extensive amount of expertise on this board, I believe some of you guys know more about the whole supply/demand thing. Is this a legit concern? Or do the local parts guys in my area suck?

Local NAPA stocks lees parts than they used to. You can still can get the same things as in the past, but you have to order it and wait a few days.

Part stores seem to be leaning towards city type parts stores where it's al about wiper blades, batteries, car wax, and that sort of thing. If you want to tear into something to change out a seal or bushing they are going to want to sell you the whole component instead.

I've been keeping a handful of gaskets on the shelf just for this reason. Water pump and housing gaskets, valve cover, oil pan, timing cover gaskets, etc. All those need to be ordered now, so if you need them in a hurry you're sol.
Spark plugs too. Last time I did brakes and needed wheel seals, I got an extra set.

Seems like anything for these old cars isn't kept in stock anymore. Just last week I had to order a thermostat for my dad's road runner.

I've stockpiled stuff for years,haven't used more than 15%,now I'm dumping anything I don't have Immediate need for.As an example,I had three N.O.S. sixpack filters in Mopar boxes since I finished my bird in 1992,kept them 25 yrs because I figured I may need them,well,guess what,they are gone because the one in the car now is as nice as it was when I put it in back in 92 ! Same with these,62 300 H dual quad filters,had the since 97,they are going also.

In thinking tuneup parts, seals and gaskets ( provided the gaskets are and can be stored nice and flat and dry )
Bulbs are another one, maybe fuel system and Carb parts , wheel studs might a good item to stash away , brake parts shoes and pads etc
I am thinking I may grab a red dash pad while they are avail

Im not going to worry to much about sheet metal or trim

The way I look at it we’re all terminal, no sense in hoarding a bunch of extra parts for our loved ones to deal with! says the man with a bunch of used stuff

What stores are you shopping at? Cap and rotor are ones that should be available

Haven't had much of a problem, really.
That said, OEM CORRECT stuff is harder to find than very-similar aftermarket stuff.
And old-school rebuilders are aging out/retiring (radiator shops, for example).
Cap & rotor I usually use the tan Accel stuff.
Bearings & seals are numbered and can be found that way (Timken, etc).
Some stuff, I tend to update to more modern internal operation (voltage reg, distributor internals, etc) in the OEM housing/cover.
That said, my old cars are usually pretty bare-bones: no PS, PB, PW, AC.
I am just about out of my stash of correct wide-flute headlamps, though.

GTX Matt & others: have the usual parts places- NAPA, Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, etc. I live in Houston-large market- just irritated having to order some minor parts on a regular basis. Had an old school parts place called Miller's; they always had a supply of the old stuff at hand (fan belts, gaskets, etc). Closed up a few years ago. I've got extra engine gaskets (oil pan, valve cover, thermo) to get me through minor repairs or replacement. Didn't think about getting extra brake shoes & pads. Bottom line is, as stated, can only use so many parts in a lifetime. Well, I knew what I was getting into buying a 1 year model only classic car. But, throttling her up on the roads makes all that melt away.Thanks for the input guys.

Due to the ages of our older cars, I suggest to always call ahead to whomever you deal with... they may likely have to order and get them shipped... maybe 1-2-3 days or longer, pending the item.

Its only going to get worse each year for us. Most all parts distributors don't want to stock anything that is not an A or B... or C mover... our parts typically don't fall within the A-B-C movers.

I work with major brand aftermarket parts distributors.. they are progressively making most old items obsolete... they won't even intend to keep them within their ordering system from various suppliers. So, stock-up now!

my wife continuously says : "i hope i die first so i don't hafta' deal with all your shi, er, i mean, "stuff" ! "

MOPAR PERF has dropped a lot of stuff.
Do they even do a paper catalog anymore?

i "think" it has been a down-loadable deal for many years now.

Moparx- nice one!!

As stated, Mopar Perf has been a pdf for a awhile. Was parts shopping yesterday, and spotted some bulbs needed for dash, courtesy lights. Grabbed them up.

Any model and year specific parts are going to be an issue, especially if the model run was only a coupe years (or less) long.
Electrical and mechanical switches are going to be the things that will bite you. The more you really don't want to have to modify to get something to work, the more parts your going to need to stockpile (70s Dodge truck heater cores?).

The more common things you have a chance someone will reproduce, but I suspect things will become a single offering that is suppose to fit many different applications, which comes back to weather or not you want to modify something to work. Gene

As I've mentioned in other posts, I've started having problems finding parts for my '93 Dakota. I bought the truck, 4-5 yrs ago, and had book marked a bunch of websites I wanted to order parts from.

Life got in the way, and I never ordered the parts back then and when you click on the link(s) now, they're dead links because the parts are no longer available.

All the normal wear parts are still easy to find the problem is the quality of the part. Then again anything with rubber doesn't age well either even when it's just sitting on a shelf.
I use my space to keep the harder to find stuff like body and interior parts.

Statute of Limitation = 7 years... even some later model "newer" vehicles, regardless of brand, make, etc, are having their parts obsoleted... its a shame.