Holden and Rare Spares unite for restorers

After several years supporting fans of Holden car restorations, Rare Spares has joined with the Lion brand to offer a range of endorsed parts.

The range of parts spans various models from the 48-215 through to the VS Commodore. Available items include badges, electrical components, exterior and interior components, parts for the engine and cooling system and even indicators and lenses, and wheel caps.

According to the company the parts are manufactured to original specifications using genuine Holden diagrams and tooling where possible.

A website has been developed for online shoppers, with a downloadable catalogue and store finder: holdenrestorationparts.com.au. The restoration parts are also available through Holden's participating dealer network and Rare Spares outlets.

Holden and Rare Spares spokespersons said the arrangement, which "has been in the pipeline for quite some time", was an historic occasion for restoration enthusiasts. The joint venture comes after 35 years' association between Rare Spares and Holden.

"It's been a very good relationship," said Rare Spares director David Rayner. "We've made a lot of friends and made a lot of parts. We feel we [Rare Spares] were the obvious choice to be involved with GM-H because we've pioneered the manufacture of so many parts over three decades.

"It's a great testament to the cars GM-H has produced over the years... Who would've imagined the popularity and value of these cars today? They are great quality cars; that's why there are so many car clubs with enthusiasts building these cars.

"Many components that were not available because of the cost of tooling may in fact become available. It's going to be up to the Holden Car Club and enthusiasts to let us know what they want us to make," said Rayner.

The Rare Spares website includes a new car parts alert function and 'Parts I want made' feedback form. Rayner said his company was open to suggestions for future parts.

"Who knows how popular the VH or even the VN Commodore will be? What we do know is the VT is going to be very popular in years to come.

"But it's very much up in the air in terms of which model is going to be the next HK Monaro... We suspect there will many cars that will become sought after.

"With the help from GM for the tooling, we'll be able to help get these cars restored. We value this association very highly," he said.

Rayner also commended the support his company had received over the years from Holden dealers, hence the shared arrangement for distribution.

Holden's Aftersales Director John Scotten said the "officiating" of the relationship with Rare Spares was a great outcome for the companies as well as the many passionate Holden restorers he'd encountered, including his former boss Mark Reuss. While he was in Australia as GM-H managing director, US-born Reuss restored an FX with the help from Rare Spares.

"The Holden Restoration Parts program is not a piece of software shared between our companies; it's been brought together by enthusiastic people... We look forward to building on our long and successful relationship with Rare Spares," said Scotten.

Today's announcement was made at Holden's HQ in its Hero Gallery, which houses beauties like the GT-X, convertible Monaro (Marilyn) and the SS-X all-wheel drive Commodore.

V8 Supercar driver Will Davison and drag racer Maurice Fabietti were also in attendance. Davison is an ambassador for the Holden Restoration Parts program while Fabietti is carrying Holden Trade Club (supplying parts for repairers) and Rare Spares signage on his Top Doorslammer.

Visit www.holdenrestorationparts.com.au for details.

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