Expert: William Forster - 6/13/2006

Question
Mr. Forster:
I've got a 1979 Chevrolet El Camino...decent shape, and I drive it a good bit.  Had a little fender bender recently, alas...and need to get a headlight bezel for the driver's side.  I thought about trying to bid for one on eBay, since they pop up there frequently.  But I want to make sure I get EXACTLY the right one, since they changed slightly every couple of years.
Is there a website or other resource where I can go to look up the EXACT part number for that year/model?
Also, I'd like to get some "touch up" paint (only got one little small scratch), and I wondered if there is a website or other resource where I can find out EXACTLY what color I need.  (Doesn't a car's VIN number have a code that identifies color?)
Any suggestions or advice greatly appreciated.
Warm regards,
David Gardner
davidg32@yahoo.com  

Answer
Sorry, I can't help you on the exact part numbers for the bezel. They should be cheap on ebay, so take a chance, and buy one for the exact year of your car. Ask the seller what year car it came from. The paint code will be on the vehicle VIN tag, located under the hood somewhere on the cowl. It may even say "paint" with a code after it. If you are unsure, copy the info from the tag EXACTLY as it is stamped on the tag, and take it to any store that sells auto paint to body shops, such as napa or big A. Their paint expert will know exactly what numbers are the paint code. Or, have a body shop lift the paint code and make you some touch up paint. This is a favor as far as they are concerned, so be sure to remember the shop the next time you need body work. Don't expext a perfect match, it's touch up paint. If you want a perfect job, you will have to pay to refinish the panel. Bill