Rare Spares is a name that’s so prodigious nowadays it’s become synonymous with classic car ownership and restoration. If you want a reproduction part for your classic Holden, Ford or Chrysler Valiant, you head to Rare Spares – it’s as simple as that.
It seems like it’s been that way forever, but Rare Spares is still a fairly young company in the grand scheme of things, having yet to reach its 50th Anniversary. That milestone is fast approaching, though, which makes it timely to look back on the history of this great Australian company and the great things it’s achieved to ensure Aussie-made Fords, Holdens and other classics are more than just memories – they’re working, driving, “living” pieces of Australian history.
IN THE BEGINNING…
While it carries a diverse range of parts for many different marques today, Rare Spares was initially a Holden-only venture. That’s because its founders - Les McVeigh, John Rayner and David Ryan – were madkeen owners, restorers and modifiers of FX and FJ Holdens.
Back in the early 1970s, the trio moved in the same Holden enthusiast circles in suburban Melbourne, which meant they inevitably encountered each other; Les initially, with David and John introduced via a mutual friend.
