The British Parts Guy

Back in my Austin Healey Sprite days, I spent much of my time (when I should have been in school) at European Sports Car Garage. They proved to be useful in ordering parts for my Sprite.  This same place came to mind when I need parts for Austin Healey 100/4. I simply had too many parts to track down individually and knew I needed a parts place if I was ever going to restore this car.

I performed a Google search of British parts store with the intent to see if European Sports Car Garage had a website. However, in my Google search, another British car place comes up, British Car Specialts. As I checked out their website and online catalog, I found they have almost everything I need. The icing on the cake was that this British car parts store was located in Stockton, California. I couldn't believe my luck! Out of all places where such a place could be located to have it so close (only 40 miles away) was a relief! But maybe it’s too good to be true. So I called them. They were just as knowledge and friendly as I had hoped they would be. Dave, the owner of British Car Specialists, encouraged me to come and visit his shop to see some Austin Healeys under restoration, see his parts warehouse, and to touch base with him as I begin this restoration process.

In late-September 2014, George and I took a quick road trip to Stockton to visit the British car specialist. From the moment we go there we were treated with great customer service. Dave escorted us around, showed various Austin Healeys in his shop, and showed us his parts warehouse. He answered all of our questions and gave us invaluable information about my Austin Healey. He had every part available I would need to rebuild the car.

He even encouraged me to think seriously about putting in the original engine and transmission back into the car. According to him, it would add about $40,000 in value.  However, it will cost me approximately $15,000 to go that route. Now I have to do a cost-benefit analysis (I knew the policy analyst in me was going to come up). I will be thinking about this in the months to come. 

Moving forward, British Car Specialists will prove to my main resource for parts and will make this restoration process so much smoother!