340 exhaust heat shield needed for Van's to repop.

No, that's economics. It's not a matter of how many years the valance panel has been out, it's a matter of how many they need to sell just to break even. And there isn't ANY company that's in business just to "break even".
On a low demand part (be honest with yourself- how many people are actually going to be buying the part? These aren't Big Macs), it could take decades to recoup costs- so just be glad someone was willing to take the leap at whatever price. If you don't like the cost, break out a hammer, a piece of sheet metal and make your own; it's what you'd be doing if nobody reproduced the part anyways.
You think you've got it bad? Buy a Studebaker.
My dad had a 1962 golden hawk and a 1953 commander and I turned them both down because of no parts available. I avoid amc products and several different mopars, l don't want to waste my time on the computer looking for good used parts. I've seen enough and heard enough horror stories about buying used junk.