When they have nos parts like fuel rails for 15 yr old cars taking up space in a warehouse, it would seem common sense to me to sell those parts for a cut rate to get rid of them. By charging a ridiculous price they lost the sale and made nothing, whereas they could have recouped at least part of their investment. Better something than nothing.
As for simple parts like the ball studs and bushings, if NAPA can turn a profit at $8, Ma Mopar should be able to turn one for $25, and I would pay that for factory parts. No reason to ask $100 for nos parts that were made by the tens of thousands and hasn't changed it's design in 40 years. The R&D costs were recouped long ago. As for making replacement parts today, it's not like they'd pay a manual lathe operator and invest an hour of setup/machine time in each stud, CNC's can spit the things out in about 2 minutes a piece. GM does it, Ford does it, NAPA does it, Chryco could to. But they won't. Add in a lousy attitude about warrantying said shitty parts and it's easy to see how their corporate name became Fiasler.
Aftermarket interior/exterior parts are different game. For instance, when I can buy a brand new offshore fender for $112, why in the hell would I spend 50 hours straightening and sanding a raggedy $50 fender from a boneyard? You have more money in the boneyard fender, bondo and sandpaper, not mention the time invested.
http://www.partsgeek.com/mparts/fender/dodge.html
Parts like door panels etc. for K5 Blazers/78 Chevy pickups aren't in that great of demand either. I can't recall the last time I saw a nuts and bolts restored K5 at Barret-Jackson, but you can buy the parts. Would I pay $200 for a brand new door panel? Hell yes. I've seen crappy looking used ones on Ebay for that. $135 for this crusty topped POS
Hell I'm sitting on a gold mine because I can lay my hands on dozens of crusty topped panels.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-93-Dodge-Pickup-Truck-Right-Door-Panel-/170813930097?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27c54dba71&vxp=mtr
For another $55, I'd rather have new.