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There are three letters in the English alphabet that, when strung together, can mean a couple of things to a gearhead. Performance junkies are drawn to the letters NOS (Naws for you Fast and Furious fanatics), while restorers and collectors see NOS as something entirely different.
New Old Stock (NOS) refers to a part that is still “new” for all intents and purposes, often including the original packaging, but was put on a parts department shelf many decades ago and forgotten. It typically sat for many years unsold until someone blew the inch-thick dust off of it and decided the time was ripe to run the gamut and see if someone was willing to pluck it off eBay or snatch it up at a swap meet. Sometimes these parts were purchased, but sat in a garage for a couple of decades and never saw the light of day.
To a restorer, it means shelling out some big bucks, as prices on these NOS items are often out of reach for the average hobbyist. Pricing can sometimes be more than triple the original cost of the part if purchased when new. Throw a catch phrase into the mix, like “Hemi”, and that can put the part into a completely different category.
Such is our latest find on eBay – a pair of NOS carburetors (item #361441311033), complete with dilapidated boxes, for the 1970-early ’71 Mopar 426 with dual carbs. Both Carter carburetors (part #4742S front, part #4745S rear) are date coded and unused, and are available for those with a desire to meticulously restore their favorite B- or E-body Mopar. But they come at a price tag that is quite out of this world.
Selling for a “Buy it Now” price of $8,900, without the option to make the seller an offer, we wonder if there is anyone who willing to fork over that kind of coin for these carburetors. There are a few people watching, but with more than a week left it’s hard to say what will happen. Of course, if you’re okay with remanufactured instead of NOS, you could snag up this pair of carburetors (item #321947406731) for a similar application at a reduced starting bid of only $6,500.
Almost a bargain compared to the NOS set above, but not by much. Ah, the prices people pay to get those extra points at a car show. This pair doesn't include the intake manifold.
Do you think the price of parts for classics is a bit out of hand lately? If not, then here’s your chance to pick up a pair of classic carburetors for your prized Mopar. For nearly nine grand, don’t you think they should throw in the shipping for free? Or you can forego all of this nonsense and just buy a set of tags for 80 bucks (item #281788456973).
