British Car Enthusiasts Launch Heritage Spares

Genuine OE classic British car replacement parts made available in North America
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HIGHLAND, Mich., November 17, 2009 – In light of more than 60 years combined experience in the automotive industry and a true passion for classic British automobiles, Brian Thornton and Keith Leigh-Monstevens are embarking on a new venture together with the establishment of Heritage Spares. Headquartered in Highland, Mich., the company will serve as a principal North American distributor of renowned AP Braking (formerly AP Lockheed) brake and clutch replacement parts.

“By reintroducing genuine AP brake and clutch replacement parts to the U.S. and Canada, we are providing the British car enthusiast with the optimal maintenance or restoration solution – the ability to fit factory specified, original equipment replacement parts to their cars,” said Brian Thornton, president and vice president of sales and marketing for Heritage Spares.  “The brake, clutch and automotive engineering experience that Keith and I bring to the company, along with our intimate knowledge of classic British cars and our singular focus on brake and clutch replacement parts, will undoubtedly establish Heritage Spares as a premier source for the British car owner, restorer or mechanic”.

With backgrounds stemming from mechanical and automotive engineering, respectively, both Thornton and Leigh-Monstevens have an appreciation for the technology behind high-quality automotive parts.  In addition, Leigh-Monstevens’ 40 years of experience working for AP companies, including AP Braking, and serving as its chief engineer further drive his passion for making premier British parts available to American and Canadian classic car aficionados.

At the helm of Heritage Spares, Thornton and Leigh-Monstevens will provide customers with a product line that features genuine AP replacement parts that are manufactured to original tolerances from original AP tooling and specified materials.  This commitment to quality will help maintain the performance and safety that the British OEMs originally engineered into their products.

Heritage Spares customers will have access to: front and rear brake drums; calipers; remote and direct-acting servos; single and tandem master cylinders; brake valves; repair kits; brake hoses; wheel cylinders; clutch master cylinders; clutch slave cylinders; clutch hoses; and clutch dampers. The parts will be applicable to models spanning the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s for several of England’s classic brands, including: Austin; Austin-Healey; BMC; Jaguar; Land Rover; Mini; MG; Morgan; Morris; Riley; and Triumph.

This year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas served as the company’s unveiling, as it introduced itself to worldwide car enthusiasts and industry counterparts.

“We were thrilled to be a part of the SEMA festivities,” said Leigh-Monstevens, the company’s vice president of engineering.  “This is the main stage for all things automotive, and we hope the great response we received in Las Vegas will continue to help us reach those who share our affinity for classic British cars.”

For more information on Heritage Spares and its available product lines, visit www.heritagespares.com or call toll free 877.278.6465.