Anyone who’s run an American vehicle in New Zealand knows the drill. You find the part you need, track it down to a supplier in the States, wait three weeks for it to arrive, and then discover it’s either the wrong spec or poorly made. It’s a familiar story, and it’s exactly the gap that American Pickup Parts was built to fill.
The business has its roots in Bunce Motor Company, where founder Peter Church spent 23 years as parts manager before purchasing the company’s stock and setting up on his own. Vincent Offenbaker worked alongside Peter at Bunce, left for Perth in 2012 to run a branch of Kenworth parts supplier TRP, and when he heard the business was up for sale, he didn’t hesitate. He’s now relocated American Pickup Parts to a warehouse in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore, where the focus is on doing one thing and doing it properly: parts for American vehicles, from the 1960s through to today.
We sat down with Vincent to find out more.
You moved back from Perth specifically to take over this business. What made it worth uprooting your life for?
“I’d known about American Pickup Parts for a long time and the reputation it had in the industry. When the opportunity came up to take it over, it felt like a rare chance to step into a well-established business with a loyal customer base. This gave me the opportunity to bring that experience back home to New Zealand and build on something that already had a strong foundation.”
What do most people not realise about owning an American vehicle in New Zealand until they actually need a part?
“Most people don’t realise how many variations there can be between models. Two trucks that look identical can actually have completely different parts depending on the engine, drivetrain, or build spec. Because these vehicles weren’t originally sold in huge numbers here, getting the correct information up front makes a big difference to making sure the right part arrives the first time.”
That’s not just a talking point for Vincent — it’s baked into how the business operates. For vehicles built after 1992, he confirms parts fitment using the VIN number before anything is ordered, which he calls a first-fit guarantee. If a part turns out to be incorrect, even if it’s been specially imported from overseas, he issues a full credit and covers the return freight. No argument, no lengthy back-and-forth with a supplier in a different time zone.
What’s the most obscure part you’ve managed to track down?
“Some of the hardest parts are for older trucks where production stopped years ago. In those cases it often comes down to digging through supplier networks in the US and sometimes finding new-old-stock sitting on a shelf somewhere. A lot of it is persistence and knowing who to call when the usual channels don’t have the answer.”
And if someone’s on the fence about importing a part themselves versus calling you?
“You can absolutely try importing parts yourself, but the difference is the backup you get when you buy through us. All the parts we sell are backed by our warranty, so if there’s ever an issue we can handle it locally. Trying to deal with a warranty claim with a supplier in the US can be pretty difficult with shipping, time zones, and communication. We also deal with these vehicles every day, so we make sure the right part is ordered the first time.”
Peter Church — the original founder — still helps out. What does that continuity mean for customers?
“Peter built the business and has decades of knowledge around American trucks and their parts. Having him still involved means there’s a huge amount of experience we can draw on. Sometimes there are little details that don’t show up in catalogues, but Peter will remember them from years of dealing with these vehicles. That kind of knowledge is invaluable for customers.”
What’s in your own garage — or what’s the dream American vehicle?
“I’ve always had a soft spot for classic American trucks. The newer pickups are incredibly capable, but the older ones have a lot of character and simplicity to them. A clean classic truck that you can actually drive and use would definitely be up there as a dream setup.”
American Pickup Parts’ range covers Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, and Dodge — classic and modern, trucks and cars — with a New Parts Import service that handles price confirmation, customs paperwork, and door-to-door delivery anywhere in New Zealand. Glass is covered too, from curved C10 windscreens through to modern RAM pickups, with correct tint, thickness, and DOT markings.
It’s a tidy operation for a niche that New Zealand has never had particularly well served. If you run an American vehicle and you need a part, it’s worth a call before you start scrolling through overseas listings.