Using the correct repair guides for your specific car can help you to diagnose problems and also help you to restore it in the correct manner. This can save you many hours of work and a lot of money too. You’ll need the right Service Manual, Assembly Manual, Fisher Body Manual, and Chassis Service Manual for your particular vehicle, and thankfully most are still available today as GM licensed reprints of the original books.

The Assembly manual is valuable because it lists every part by part number, and also lists every option that was offered for your specific vehicle. The Assembly manual also contains many useful exploded part diagrams and lists the torque values for all of the fasteners on the car. The Service manual will list the specific tools you’ll need by their GM part numbers and it will also tell you how to remove and replace all of the parts that normally wear out. The Service manual will tell you how to work on big parts like the motor, transmission and the rear end, and it will also cover many of the smaller parts like the steering column and the alternator as well. The Service manual will also contain valuable trouble shooting tips to help you diagnose problems with the brakes, ignition, electrical, cooling, air conditioning and suspension parts too.

The Chassis Service manual will cover your car’s front and rear suspension as well as detail all of the specs needed to align the front end. The Chassis Service manual will show you how to remove and replace nearly every part on the car that is connected to the frame except the gas tank and fuel lines. This info will allow you to rebuild your front end, replace the tie rod ends and ball joints, and explain how to rebuild your steering gear box too. The Fisher Body Repair manual contains everything you need to know about all of the body sheet metal and chrome trim, and also details how all of the interior parts are removed and replaced.

These valuable books can be found packaged together as complete Restoration Information Kits, or purchased separately as individual manuals from OPGI in the “Books and Manuals” section of the Restoration Parts Catalog for your specific GM vehicle.

Remove the guess work this holiday season and get the car enthusiast in your life something they can really use. With an OPGI gift card you are granting an all access pass to our huge, 75,000 plus selection of restoration and performance parts, accessories, tools, car care, books, apparel and much more. If you’re still unsure if this is the right gift to give this holiday season, here are five that will change your mind:

1.      They do not expire.

This is one of the best features gift cards have to offer.  An OPGI gift card allows your car-lover time to decide what they want, when they want it. And because OPGI offers thousands of new parts every year—including quality steel reproductions to interior products and everything in between, you can bet there will always be something that interests your enthusiast down the road.

2.      You choose the amount.

Every year, we test the limits on how far the budget can be stretched during the holiday season. Going with a gift card gives you the power to spend as much or as little as you like. Want to throw in a stocking stuffer? No problem. OPGI gift cards start as low as $10. Want to surprise them with a completely assembled interior kit, but don’t know where to start? Then the OPGI gift card is your best bet. Whether it’s big or small an OPGI gift card has you covered.

3.      Your recipient has the freedom to choose from more than 70,000 parts and accessories.

For the past 30 years, OPGI has strived to offer the largest array of in-stock restoration parts, anywhere! And when you give that special someone a gift card from OPGI, you are not only allowing them to select from our huge inventory, but are giving them an experience they will find rewarding, honest and valuable to their restoration. With a gift card from OPGI, they have access to a world of auto-related treasures all under one roof.

4.      One size fits all.

Again, going the gift card route is the easiest way to make sure you’re on the right track. You don’t need to go through the stress of finding the right customized dash cover or what emblem kit and engine designation fits their model year. Worrying about the right size, what fits or if it’s even the right part is a care left in the past. You’ve done your part… leave it up to them!

5.      An OPGI gift card can be used online, in the showroom or over the phone.

Finally, an OPGI gift card is redeemable nearly anywhere. Whether it’s shopping online with our easy, organized, point and click and fully secured checkout at www.opgi.com; a phone order placed with one of our knowledgeable sales representatives; or a visit to our Seal Beach, CA showroom, the OPGI gift card gives your special someone complete and total access to what they want, when they want, guaranteed!

This season rid yourself of stress and guesswork, while making their holiday one to remember.  The freedom and endless choices at OPGI will make sure your gift is a hit with a friend or that special someone in your life!