Restoration Anticipation

Raise your hand if you have a story like this. The first (or second, or 37th for that matter) car I ever bought, an Austin Healey 100, is awaiting restoration. It’s been 25 years and counting. When I bought my Healey, friends advised against it. MGAs were more plentiful and parts availability was far superior. “No one will ever reproduce parts for a low volume car like a four cylinder big Healey,” they said. “They” ultimately proved wrong.

In its own twisted way, that car in microcosm is the story of my life. “If you want your own car, then save up and buy one,” said my father. Uh okay, I can do that. Upon purchasing the car I was asked “How are you going to pay for the insurance?” Insurance huh, I hadn’t thought too hard about the extended costs. Early economic lessons are some of the hardest ones. Now fast forward 25 years and we’ll pick up the narrative.

Sitting in a barn, collecting dust and rodents since 1982, there is an Austin Healey 100 awaiting restoration. Having reached “middle adolescence,” I’ve been thinking it’s about time to drag the car out and send it off for restoration. In the intervening years, big Healeys have benefited from over two decades of aggressive parts sourcing and reproduction. Pretty much everything I need can be had new from the Moss catalog. That sure wasn’t the case in 1982.

Stories of multi-year, or even multi-decade restorations, are common around here. Have a look at “Old Healeys Never Die, They Just Rust Away” on page 10. Unlike repairing an 8 track tape player, classic British sports cars can be safely set aside until the time is right to restore them. It really is possible to sit on a project for decades, yet expect to be able to pick up where you left off. I’ve spoken with any number of enthusiasts who wonder if the parts supply will be there when they are finally ready to start a restoration project. 2008 will be Moss Motors’ 60th anniversary year, and with your continued support, we intend to be around for a quite a while longer.

The simple fact of the matter is, we will be around until every British classic out there has been restored at least twice (or preferably more). There have been many chicken and egg discussions about the symbiotic relationship between British car owners and companies like Moss. Is there so much interest in the cars because parts are available, or did an existing demand for parts spawn our restoration industry? For me it’s a simple answer, no pre-existing interest, no business. For every car entering hibernation, there is one coming out. On behalf of the entire Moss Motors team, I say hang onto your dream car as long as it takes, and thank you for your support.