That part can be ordered through www.gmpartsdirect.com for a 40% discount over dealer retail, sometimes more.

Then you can have it painted anywhere. A slight difference in shade of paint on that part won't be as visible as if it were the fender itself. There are obvious 'division lines' between it and the other parts around it.

If you're interested in the gm 8 digit part number, pm me.

I guess this might be obvious in retrospect: if I remove the body part, will the part number be stamped on it somewhere? Failing that, is there an online parts catalog which shows *pictures* of various part numbers so that I can confirm that the part I think I'm ordering is in fact the correct part?

Well, the mystery deepens. I went ahead and took off the part to look inside for a number. It does a number, which is 25620990, and it also says "FRT FND LH". However, when I go to the gmpartsdirect.com website, it doesn't recognize that part number. What to do? This is very odd.

First off I'd start calling salvage yards in your area and ask if they have any 1996-99 SSE or SSEi's. Then just tell them you an exterior trim piece and if they have a car go take a look-see and you should have it for no more than $20-30 max. About another $30 for paint and painting.
Good luck. I'd supply a part #, but I haven't the faintest clue what part # it would be.
Stylez

That's the same info I gave him, but was going to confirm. Thanks, Don.

Thanks everybody. I guess I'll leave it as an unsolved mystery as to why the number stamped on the part is different from the number in the parts diagram. Time to order and move on.

I ordered the part. It should arrive by Tuesday. I also bought one of those parts lists. The parts list arrived already. Strangely enough, it shows the same picture as the one you show above but different part numbers:

http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL204/...5/33304985.jpg


This is truly odd. How many numbering schemes does GM have for the same part?