For classic car enthusiasts, few things are as satisfying as bringing a vintage vehicle back to life with authentic parts. Whether it’s an original MGB GT, a 60’s Mustang, or an old Land Rover, the pursuit of original components is both a challenge and a badge of honour.
But in recent years, this has become much more challenging, and much more expensive. The classic automotive parts industry is grappling with a disappearing supply chain, leaving suppliers, restorers and collectors facing serious hurdles. So, what’s going on?
OEMs Are Long Gone
Many of the companies that once produced parts for classic cars—especially niche suppliers—have closed their doors. Once a manufacturer shuts down, the tooling, blueprints, and skilled knowledge required to reproduce those parts often disappears as well. In some cases, even major automakers no longer have access to their own archival resources.
Without original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or authorized suppliers to fall back on, the industry is left scavenging what’s left in warehouses, junkyards, and private collections.
Limited, Aging Inventory
So called New Old Stock (NOS) parts—original components manufactured decades ago but never used—were once the holy grail for restorers, but no more. As more vehicles are restored and collectors snap up what’s left, these once-available treasures are fast becoming extinct.
Additionally, many NOS parts suffer from degradation due to age. Rubber components dry out, metal corrodes, and plastic becomes brittle, making even "new" parts unreliable.
Aftermarket Gaps
Reproduction parts help fill the demand, but quality varies widely. Some aftermarket parts are reverse-engineered without access to the original specs, leading to fitting issues or subpar durability. Purists often avoid these parts, viewing them as compromising authenticity or risking mechanical failure.
Even reputable reproduction efforts face challenges: small batch manufacturing is expensive, and without significant demand, many niche parts simply aren’t viable to reproduce.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Recent years have seen unprecedented disruptions in global logistics. The COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, and shipping bottlenecks drastically slowed the production and delivery of parts. For small restoration shops and specialty parts businesses, these delays can be devastating, leading to longer project timelines and unhappy customers.
Knowledge Is Disappearing
The supply chain isn’t just physical, it’s also intellectual. Many of the people who understood how to rebuild, refurbish, or machine classic parts are retiring or have already passed on. Without a younger generation taking the reins, much of that hard-won knowledge risks being lost forever.
So What Can Be Done?
- OEM Heritage Programs: Some car manufacturers, including the likes of Porsche and Mercedes are reviving classic parts production to support their vintage models.
- Knowledge Sharing: Online forums, YouTube channels, and social media groups are becoming invaluable repositories of technical knowledge, sourcing tips and encouragement for budding enthusiasts.
- Digitally Preserving Blueprints: Classic car enthusiast groups are scanning and archiving original documents for future use.
- Low-Volume Manufacturing Advances: CNC machining and small-batch foundries are becoming more accessible for one-off or small-run parts.
Conclusion
Despite the odds, the passion that fuels the classic car community remains strong. Preserving these pieces of history is about more than aesthetics—it’s about heritage, storytelling, and craftsmanship.
But to keep them on the road, it’s clear the industry must adapt, innovate, and collaborate. Because once they are gone, they may be gone for good.
Case Study
Read about how De Facto Software has helped MGOC Spares thrive in this challenging market.