Healey Journal
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This page provides a categorized listing of vendors willing to sell you all sorts of things for your Healey and cars more generally. Virtually all are UK based, though a very few American ones are included too.
Special suppliers of equipment and tools are also listed as are companies that provide the necessary materials too.
I've attempted to identify two or three sources for most things that might be needed- I've often found single suppliers aren't always able to meet the unusual needs an old Healey may have.
Some specialist service providers are also listed.
Where I've had dealings with a vendor, or have some view on the user-friendliness of their web site I've generally said so. With most vendors this is based on a single transaction so it may not be representative- a small sample may be biased and these experiences may differ from your own....
But first: Foreword: Caveat Emptor
NOTE: I've NOT listed shops or people that restore Healeys, there are several that do so and advertize regularly in the British Austin Healey Club magazine.
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Austin Healey Specialists (UK) Alphabetical Order, avoiding the appearance of favoritism. |
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A photo of a typical page from the AH Spares catalog- it shows what you're ordering but its not detailed.
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I have patronized AH Spares a great deal. I have, on the whole been happy with the service and parts supplied. Their website works well and is eminently useable. Their printed catalog is fairly large (80 pages) and useable, though its diagrams are a little crude they're sufficient to identify what's what and whether it's the item needed. Their website is well devloped and very useable, with effective diagrams coordinated with same-page parts listings and pricing information. Choosing and ordering parts is easy (too easy, my Bank manager might think....) and the site works well. I dread to think of how much I've contributed to their cash flow over the years. AH Spares along with SC Parts seems to provide the bulk of the Healey components in the UK. I have visited their premises and found them to be willing to allow parts to be inspected and quite forthcoming in discussing questions, however, I've not put any "hard" technical questions to them. I've created an Excel spreadsheet tool with many (700+) of the items from their catalog that I used to plan purchases, and to think about the financial consequences of performing various restoration work at different times. This initially allowed comparisons across several potential suppliers, but the effort of keeping that up was daunting- particularly since as time passed and I acquired various components some of the other suppliers had progressively fewer and fewer items that I needed. The spreadsheet may be accessed: AHSpares Spreadsheet Caveat: the spreadsheet is offered as information only- a public service- and may not accurately reflect AHSpares's current prices or parts availability. The spreadsheet is not an offer to sell. Use at your own risk. When I developed this I included prices from other vendors to do comparison shopping, and to see how much damage I'd do to my budget planning acquisitions over a couple of years- but the other vendor's data isn't so readily available now and I've not the time without a direct monetary interest in it, and this spreadsheet is likely to gradually go out of date too.... |
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| ATB Restorations | A new Healey vendor offering a limited range of chassis, inner and outer body panels produced by Kilmartin of Australia. I've no experience with them or with the Kilmartin panels, though a number of comments from American fora recommend them. | |
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I've patronized Cape to a modest extent in the past. I suspect that patronage will continue in the future. They seem to produce good, appealing products. I'd happily buy again from them. Their website works well and is eminently useable (the trick is to ignore the "Catalog" choice on their menu and opt instead for the "Cape Shop" and then "browse" - this gets you to listings of their parts and prices- the catalog provides nice pictures only). They do not print a catalog but send out newslettery notifications about their products. Their site is a much better source of information about what they've got and costs. I've not visited their premises but have spoken with them at one of the Car Shows they attended (and over the phone), they seemed very forthcoming and approachable. |
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This is one of the newest Healey suppliers and seems to offer a more limited range than the others. That said, the company does seem to be quite eager to establish itself and seems more inclined to compete on price. I've not tried haggling with any of these vendors to any real extent, and perhaps my opinion is a superficial perspective but... its all I have to go on. I generally look to this vendor first, and then do some comparison shopping elsewhere. Their website works reasonably well and is pretty useable. They do not print a catalog and their site is the only real source of information about what they've got and costs. These too are a vendor I've patronized modestly in the past and would be willing to use again. | ||
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Dennis Welch is also high on my list of preferred suppliers. They're friendly enough and their specialty is high performance components for the Healey. One point of minor criticism is that their parts don't always come with particularly useful instructions- they seem to assume that you've got the ability to sus it all out without hand-holding. Given my interests in uprating various aspects of the car it means that I'm a prime candidate for the sorts of things Dennis Welch sells. I've bought a fair bit from them (suspension upgrades, mostly), but have yet to actually see what it all can do. But I can't wait.... I've bought a number of things at various times in the past, and have been happy enough with their service and parts to use them again. Their website works well and is eminently useable. I've visited their premises and they were very approachable, allowing parts to be inspected (and even sat upon) and letting me look over a car in their shop and speak with one of their mechanics about the finer points of some installation. Their printed catalog is fairly modestly sized (50 pages- but with many photos and item descriptions- not just a list of parts) since they supply a more restricted range of range of products than the other vendors. It describes the products well and uses photographs to show them. Its not cheap, but DW products aren't....
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The SC Parts Catalog- its big.
A typical page- detailed and well drawn with every part shown and given a part number, BUT NO prices are shown AND unavailable parts are listed alongside available ones. |
SC Parts too have seen their cash flow benefit from my acquisition of a Healey. Nearly as much as an aforementioned vendor has done. But, unfortunately, that is more in the past than now. In the "old days" SC provided a perfectly useable though modestly sized catalogue with basic graphics and straightforward pricing information. Very similar to AH Spares, the Northern Healey Centre and quite presentable and functional. Their use of IT was limited- a disk was available with a DOS based product list without graphics. BUT then .... that basic approach was replaced with a web-based system that was completely diabolical. After a year or so it seemed SC finally appreciated the system's inadequacies and shut it down except for general information and contact information. More recently the site has been re-incarnated with a web-based catalogue and ordering system. It doesn't seem all that useable still- more difficult to navigate through and with a more unwieldy method for selecting items though I haven't actually used it to complete an order fully. Each section's graphics are taken from their catalog so they're very detailed, but largely unreadable as a consequence- and the magnification comes up in a different window that then needs be closed. I've found the site is most easily used alongside a paper copy of their catalogue. Once a desired part is identified and selected only then does the pricing information for just that part and a query to order it become displayed- its all just a little messy and amateurish. One point I found odd was its handling of apparently out-of-stock items. They seem to invite the customer to make an offer to buy, and seemingly will respond in due course. This seems to follow their paper catalogue and "manual" approach. Not only is their web site unimpressive, I cannot say that their "new" catalogue is an unreserved success. Its BIG, its filled with lots of goodies and obscure items otherwise unobtainable and is appealing, superficially. Its appeal dims considerably once a close reading of its pages reveals a complete absence of pricing information. I trust such price guides will be made available, and regularly updated. Until such time, though, the catalogue is only good for stimulating phone calls/e-mails/etc. or visits to their website to solicit prices. That process isn't bad for a couple of parts now and then, but a major restoration may require pricing every piece of rubber for example and thus trying to solicit prices for two or three dozen items is time-wasting and tedious by comparison to others' printed and on-line catalogues. And, more annoyingly, the discovery that many of those tantalizingly hard to obtain parts are not actually available, even though they are shown in the catalogue. I will undoubtedly patronize them in the future. Its just that a little better marketing on their part might work to BOTH our advantages. Their website is useless and the catalogue is literally priceless, and consequently, it too is more-or-less useless. I'll still patronize SC, but doing so is far more difficult than the other vendors's systems allow.... |
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I've bought a modest amount of material from the Northern Healey Centre, and have found them entirely satisfactory suppliers. I'd buy again from them. Happily. Their website works well and is eminently useable. Their printed catalog is modestly sized (60 pages) but useable nevertheless, though its diagrams are a little crude in comparison to some other vendors they're sufficient to identify what's what and whether it's the item needed. My impression is that their product range is rather more limited and that they're more interested in the fuller service of restoring and maintaining cars than simply parts provision. I've visited their facilities and they have been very approachable and helpful, letting me photograph various aspects of a car being restored and also letting me look at whatever parts they stocked, which was rather limited. They were also the ones that put me in contact with the seller of the new "old" chassis I got to replace my rotted one. |
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I'd not originally planned on including any vendors in this category- I do not intend to use them much and really could not say much about my experience with their services. |
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Cape too advertize their services. I've no experience with them, though. |
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In addition to making and sourcing odd bits of kit for Healeys, Welch's establishment will do some of the work for you too. I've not made any great use of their facilities, but the one or two little jobs (like installing king pin bushes and their reaming) I've put their way were well done. But they're too far away to just drop in with the odd little job ... much as I might be tempted. |
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The company restores and provides various services in maintaining and modifying Healeys. I've no experience with them, though. |
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The UK Healey Centre also restores and provides various services in maintaining and modifying Healeys. I've no experience with them, though. Several of my friends with Healeys have patronized them and recommend them to me. For what its worth, these facilities are the ones seen in the Duke Video "Project Healey 3000" . | ||
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Orchard restorations also advertize other services they provide in maintaining and modifying Healeys. I've no experience with them, though. | ||
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Rawles is heavily into competitive activities and advertize their services in converting and preparing cars for race and rally, as well as restoration and maintenance services. I've no experience with them, though. |
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Seems a good source for general automotive products and sundries. They also seem to focus more on cars older than Healeys. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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A good source for general automotive products and sundries. They too seem to focus more on cars older than Healeys. They offer a useful catalog, but charge for it. Their on line shop is fairly useable. I've bought from them and have had good enough service to buy again. | ||
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Seems a good source for general automotive products and sundries. They seem to focus more on cars older than Healeys. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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A major source in the US for Healey parts but they seem to do little business in that line in the UK and focus more on MG and Triumph. I've bought a few items from them once and have had good enough service to buy again. |
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A good source for general automotive products and sundries. A fairly price competitive source. They offer a useful free catalog and their on line shop works OK, though it seems to me that the range is more restrictive than their printed catalogue with many fewer items on offer. I've bought a few things from them at different times and have had good enough service to buy again. |
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A good source for general automotive products and sundries. A more limited range than Europa and less that is suitable for Healeys since their focus is on more recent cars. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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A good source for general automotive products and sundries. A more limited range than Europa and less that is suitable for Healeys- their auto sports orientation limits their range. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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A national retailer selling general automotive products and tools. A good source for items not specific to Healeys, and available locally and immediately. |
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Provide an extensive range of electrical products. As might be expected they offer wire in a multitude of colors, combinations, sizes, and connectors, relays, lights, sockets, etc. Their web site isn't bad but I think their catalog is much preferred. I've bought fairly sizeable quantities of wiring and components from them on two occasions and have had good enough service to buy again. | ||
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Also provide a good range of products, though not as extensive as V W P. They seem a little more oriented to older cars. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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Provides hardware and a limited range of other items. A good source for general nuts and bolts, and they do odd sizes, half nuts, and "economy" packs of nuts, bolts and washers. Sell through a small catalog and a fairly useable web site. I've bought from them once and have had good enough service to buy again. | ||
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The name says it all. They sell stainless steel hardware. Items are priced per piece though a mixed pack is available. Useable website. I've bought from them once and have had good enough service to buy again. | ||
| Stig Fasteners |
Stainless steel supplier, located in Darlington (North England). Seems to hold a wide range of stock. I've no experience with them (yet). |
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A generalist hardware supplier. Mostly metric and not much for Healeys or old cars generally. Some tools. Its more oriented towards household DIY. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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| Rubber & Trim | ||
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A generalist supplier for old cars. Site shows what's available and a printed catalogue is available on request. I've no experience with them (yet). |
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| John Skinner |
Supplies interior components, carpets, hoods and upholstery for Healeys. Offers original colors and others on special order, in both vinyl and leather. I've no experience (yet) with them. I have recently (Spring, 2006) visited their factory and was allowed to inspect some of their work for Healeys and other cars- they provide an extensive range of materials and seeing them provides a far better impression than the small swatches of leather, vinyl and carpet commonly made available. It was well worth the trip and I feel that I'll be better able to choose colors and materials than I would have been otherwise. |
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Also a generalist supplier for old cars. Site claims to have over 700 sections of rubber available and offers a wallchart with 160 profiles. I've no experience with them (yet). | ||
| Plating | ||
| Kent Metal Finishers |
Chrome & other plating services. I've no experience with any of these yet. |
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| Marque Restore |
Chrome & other plating services. I've no experience with any of these yet. |
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| Tregunna Chrome |
Chrome & other plating services. I've no experience with any of these yet. |
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Chrome & other plating services. I've no experience with any of these yet. |
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Manufacturer/Importer of MIG and spot welders, tools and associated equipment. Reasonable site with some technical information, but their help line is more effective for advice. Doesn't sell retail, directs enquiries to Tools by Post as described below. | ||
| The Welders Warehouse |
Retailer of welding equipment and supplies, seems to have a good range of products. Sells on line and mail order. I've limited experience (once) but they've been good so far and I'd buy again from them. |
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| aircompressors.co.uk |
On line retailer of air compressors, air tools and associated equipment. I've bought from them once and have had good enough service to buy again. |
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| bambi |
On line retailer of air compressors, air tools and associated equipment. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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Manufacturer of air compressors, air tools and associated equipment. Reasonable site with some technical information- mostly on welding, but their help line is more effective for advice. Doesn't sell retail, directs enquiries to Tools by Post as described below. | ||
| bodyshopwarehouse.co.uk |
An on-line retailer of equipment, tools and supplies for body work. Seem to have a fairly comprehensive range at reasonable prices, sold through an accessible site. I've no personal experience with them, however. |
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| Eastwood |
An American supplier of specialist tools, equipment and consumables for restoration. They have a lot of very interesting items and are a good source of ideas about things that may then be located in the UK. They will export to the UK, but the costs are relatively high if the item is heavy or bulky, and there's also import duties and VAT to pay as well. Their website is reasonably useful and accessible and they'll send a paper catalogue too, on request. I've bought from them once, and would buy again if I couldn't source the items locally. |
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A fine source of restoration products and specialist tools- the UK agent for Eastwood and the UK distributor for POR-15. Not the cheapest source usually, but good products on the whole and many not available elsewhere. They offer a useful free catalog (64 pages) and their on line shop works well. Their product range seems to be expanding with many newer items introduced over the couple years I've been getting their catalogs so its much better now than previously. I've bought from them several times and have had good enough service to buy again. |
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| Machine Mart |
A generalist supplier with a wide range of products. They distribute a large-ish catalog (100+ pages) and have a fairly wide chain of retail stores (one is now in Glasgow and staff are helpful) and a useful website. The only real flaw in the website is its failure to show small items (like fittings) so it is sometimes a little difficult to be sure of what's on offer. I've bought from them and have had good enough service to buy again. | |
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A generalist supplier with a wide range of products. They have a fairly useful website. Many handtools and things suitable for automotive maintenance and repair. I've bought from them once and have had good enough service to buy again. |
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Provide a good range of compressors, air tools, welding equipment and many other items. They seem to be very price competitive and advertize in British magazines read by enthusiasts. Their web site is accessible and useable. When contacted by phone they seem knowledgeable about their products and helpful. I've bought from them several times and have had good enough service to buy again. | ||
| Industrial Ancillaries |
An industrial supplier, concentrates primarily on tubing and associated products. Sells Bundy tubing in the UK. Was willing to sell small amounts to me, good service. Fairly useful website, but phone for orders. I've used them once. |
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An industrial supplier, not really oriented towards the restorer that only needs the odd thing, once in a while. Nevertheless, if you want something they'll sell it to you. Their general catalog is enormous (1000+ pages) and they send out regular sales updates and there's a smaller "Workshop" catalog too which is largely a subset of the larger one but it seems to have some items only found in it too, nevertheless only a very small proportion of it all is of possible interest. A good source for odd tools and equipment not otherwise available. (Update 6/05) Their website is NOW very useful- they've introduced an on-line catalog but the number of items is so large that I've found that browsing through the printed version and having a shopping list is the most effective approach. To simply look around the site doesn't require anything special but you'll need to register first before placing an order, and that may take a little time. On the day I wanted to do it I phoned the company and they registered me within 10 minutes and it all then proceeded very easily. I've bought small numbers of items from them a couple of times and have had good enough service to buy again. |
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| Mallard Metal Packs |
Supplies sheet and other types of metal. Some tools available. I've no personal experience of their services. |
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| Metal Supermarkets |
Retail supplier of sheet and other types of metal. Local outlets in some locations. I've found them to be very customer-friendly and will cut what's needed rather than whole sheets, bars, etc. Website not that useful except for locating outlets and generally seeing what's available. I've bought various items from them a few times and have had good enough service to buy again. I do not believe they do mail order- I've always gone to them. |
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| Services | ||
| Cam Coat |
Applies high tech coatings to enhance performance. I have had them apply a heat reducing coating on the exhaust system- both headers and muffler, though I haven't yet installed it or am in any position to judge its effectiveness. A little pricey (aren't they all!) and it took the best part of a month- not that I was in any hurry. But it does look real nice.... |
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| Competition Transmission Services |
Rebuilds, repairs and upgrades transmissions and differentials. Useable and informative website. Not a Healey specialist but has experience with them. I've used their services but have yet to put the car on the road to evaluate their work... but it looks good. |
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| Hardy Engineering |
Rebuilds, repairs and upgrades transmissions, overdrives and differentials. A Healey and classic car specialist. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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| Heritage Trust |
British Motor Heritage Trust runs a museum and serves to inform people about the British motor industry. It provides heritage certificates for Healeys (and other cars) confirming their production details- dates produced and equipment originally fitted. I acquired a Certificate when I bought the car and they were reasonably fast. There have been some reports that the Certificates aren't always accurate and deviations between factory records and what was really on the cars have occasionally been found, but this seems to be fairly rare.... |
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| Overdrive Repair Services |
Rebuild repair and uprate overdrives. They too have a useful and informative website, but phone or e-mail contact to confirm the work to be done, any extras (like uprating) prices and turn-around is advisable. They are specialists and their prices compare very well with the Healey specialists. I've used their services, but my assessment must wait until the car is running. |
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| Chessman Engineering |
Automotive machine shop specializes in engines for classic cars and Healeys and performance modification. I've no personal experience of their service. |
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| West of Scotland Engineering |
My local automotive machine shop. A generalist taking all comers that seem capable of handling most ordinary tasks that may need doing. I've used their machine shop services and they've been good enough service to consider using them again. |
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| Cool Louvres |
Specialist louvre cutting. The only one I found in all the UK. I've used them and the louvres do look nice, though still in primer. They do other body work enhancements, mostly on cars thirty years newer than mine.... |
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| British Car Films |
A supplier of video and other format films that show British Cars. I've no experience of them. |
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| Duke |
A Supplier of video that show motorsports and classic cars. A very limited selection of Healeys. See the comments in the Books & References page. |
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Copyright© 2005 James M. Wilson All rights reserved.