Just got back from San Diego Sunday.
I was down there on a training run and got the weekend to hunt the yards.
There were lots and lots of Thirdgens in 3 seperate yards. I even found an impounded '88 GTA with a moon/sunroof that was electric operated. I didn't even know that option existed. Didn't show it on the build sheet, but it looked factory as all get-out. The rear end and engine were already gone and when I noticed the "JG1" on the build sheet, I dropped to my knees to look and it was gone too.
Trans Am tail lights were available and unscratched. Z28's and IROC's also. A 3.73 limited slip with disc brakes and the WS6 package was available but I couldn't get it all in my rent a car and get it onboard the ship for the transit back to WA. Bummer. Had to leave it all.
But I did score some new speaker sail panel covers that are plastic and not the cardbord stuff, newer radio pod (mine was disintegrating), hatch screw motor and plastic sub-assembly, upper hood vents, lighted rear view wiring, newer rear seat belts, right rear seat (mine was torn), and shift boot, all for $22.50.
I will be transferring back to San Diego in August of this year and will keep ya'll posted as to what is available down there. I like the yards down there as they are cheaper than most places and you can pull the stuff yourself.
Also, a lot of the cars are impounded at the US Border by INS and the Border Patrol and go to the boneyard bidders at lot sales near LA. I usually look for the INS barcode on the windshield. That means that somebody just lost thier ride for good and the parts are usually in better shape and the aftermarket mods are still in place.
Thumbs up for SoCal.

 

thats awesome that you can find parts like that, i'll tell ya though, if you want clean parts, don't come here, for anyone else in the north i have some advice, check the junkyard, and get ready to call a company that brings them up from the south! But if your into G-bodies then you'd be in heaven, i was at the heap the other day, and i swear i could build 6 or 7 different montes up decent using just scrapyard parts, and remember you G-body folks, most of the f-body suspension stuff bolts up!

If anyone wants any info on this G-body scavenging drop me a pm or email me at pmpnthebuick@aol.com and i'll hook you up with the right combination for the ultimate/affordable suspension hook up.:rockon:

 

Gosh I wish there were tons of 3rd gens at the nearest j/y located 25 miles away from me. I can only pic parts from 4 camaros and 1 firebird. But I still love going there and remember always have fun at the j/y's

 

just out of curiosity which yards were they and where were they located at? I live in carlsbad (about 30 mile snorth of the Murph on the coast) and the few yards up here suck ***........

 

They were down in Otay Valley in Chula Vista, CA. Drive down 805 or 5 and exit on Main St. Drive East under 805 and at the third set of lights (I think) turn left onto Energy Way. That street will t-bone at Nirvana Dr. There are two yards on that street. Pull-a-part and Ecology.
The best yard is Pull-a-Part. $2.00 entry fee and an additional $2.00 to get into the "Primo" car area. In the Primo area are cars that are usually impounds or INS seizures that have little or no body damage and good interiors, but the prices are the same.
Ecology is a $1.00 entry fee and pretty good prices on stuff, but the cars are a little more damaged.
Ecology also has a yard up by Brown Airfield off of Hwy 905. You can also get to it by exiting Energy way the same way you came in, turn left at the light, follow the road past Coors Amphitheater and take the next left. Follow it around a snake like mini-canyon and it will level out at the top. Ecology will be down on the right. You can't miss it. Happy hunting.

 

I'm from San Diego and I've been to those yards a few times. Not looking for third gen stuff as I barely bought my 82 TA about a week ago, but I did notice that they did have quite a few thirdgens there. I'm sure I'll be going back more often this summer as I'm restoring my 82.