Supposedly there was an initiative to get all the salvage yards to
categorize their inventory and share it via the Internet.  I know before the
year 2000 all the salvage yards bragged about how they had an automated
database.

Has this continued in a positive direction so that I can enter my zip code
and choose either the closest or cheapest part via Internet query?

I suppose this is as good a place as any to ask that question.

Also, Pep Boys and its competitors (Pep Boys is a Philadelphia company where
I am) seem to carry parts like head rests too. It you still want *new*.

If someone has inside knowledge of an Internet based portal for used car
parts, that is not a google or yahoo ad sponsored piece of bs, I'd like to
read more. And, as a follow up, where did the funds come from to create such
a project i.e. govt?