There are few classic cars with as many a following as the Austin Healey. If you’re lucky enough to have one, unless you’ve purchased a restored example, you’re probably looking for information on Austin Healey restoration. One of the main problems many classic car enthusiasts face is finding parts for their projects, so what are the best places to find what you need for your task?
Since production ended in 1968 and the company is no longer in existence, it is inevitable that it will become increasingly difficult to find new parts for your car over time. Even if authentic parts are available, as they become scarcer they will become more and more expensive.
One place to find parts might be an owners club, and there are plenty of them. If you attend meetings you will often see people selling or trading parts, often the club will have a website. Sites like these will always have people looking to sell or trade parts, whether through classifieds or on a forum. Also, parts owner organizations will be an invaluable source of help and advice once you start working on the car.
Another good place to look for rare parts is junkyards, many of which are more like parts stores than junkyards. You can find used components that are often refurbished or tested and guaranteed to work. As they are rare classic cars, it may take a bit of email or phone work to find yards that have what you need, but this can often be the cheapest option. You may be able to find a damaged one because you can buy donor parts this way. Or even find your next Austin Healey restoration project if it’s only slightly damaged.
Online auction sites like eBay can be another rich source for the parts and equipment you’ll need. It pays to keep an eye on these types of sites for bargains. If you go the donor vehicle route, you can even use sites like this to sell any parts you have left over when your project is complete.
For large structural parts, such as chassis rails, you may be able to have metal companies fabricate the part for you. Often for obscure parts or to repair large parts that would be expensive to replace, this can be the most cost-effective option.
As you can see, Austin Healey restoration can be a challenging prospect, but finding Austin Healey pieces should be doable. Due to this magnificent popularity of classic cars, even though production stopped over forty years ago, it should still be possible for some time.