Our Story
Where can you find rare, obsolete parts for your restoration project? Who’s still making them to original specifications? Who’s the best upholsterer to repair that tear on your original seat? Why is it so hard to find original Nu-Link floor mats?
Those questions defined everyday life for my late husband Paul and I. Paul was a third-generation Land Rover enthusiast with encyclopaedic knowledge and a perfectionist’s eye for detail. His grandfather sold new Series One parts in the 1950s, and by the time Paul left school in the 1980s, he was already restoring Land Rovers and helping other enthusiasts hunt down hard-to-find components.
As original parts became scarce and most people settled for repair sections, Paul refused to compromise. He went into aerospace manufacturing to master precision engineering, working on Rolls-Royce engines for military aircraft before dedicating years to reverse‑engineering obsolete parts to the exact original specifications, never accepting “close enough”.
My own appreciation for craftsmanship was shaped long before Classic Is Key. I grew up around F1 and karting enthusiasts and a father who was a skilled craftsman in wood, so quality, originality, and good design were simply normal. I learned what real workmanship looks like not from search engines, but from watching people who cared about every last millimetre.
That’s why Classic Is Key exists. I know where Paul sourced those elusive parts and which manufacturers make the best replicas today. But this goes beyond parts—it’s a carefully built directory of specialists passionate about originality, driving tours that suit classic cars, rallies and retreats worth planning your year around, boutique hotels that understand our needs, and the lifestyle gear that belongs in this world.
What you’ll find here: Specialists who share the same uncompromising approach to quality. Driving tours from Scottish highlands to hidden European rallies. Gear worth the investment. Experiences that deliver. All vetted with hard-won knowledge about quality and authenticity.
Ready to explore?
Experience providers & specialists: [email protected]
Debbie, Founder
Disclosure:
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