TRF has a unique place in the LBC parts market history. 15 years ago,
there were a few cruddy suppliers, junkyards, the occasional import parts
house and TRF. TRF was king. We put up with backorders because we really
didn't have a choice. We waited for 2 months for a parts catalogue to
arrive, and it wasn't that big of a deal. TRF had ambience (as much as a
parts supplier can), and decent prices.
Bigger suppliers came along (VB, etc) and provided the same parts and
cheaper prices. What you didn't get was the 'flavour' of being in a British
Car Club. For some of us, we simply don't care about living a lifestyle of
a WWII pilot returning victoriously from the war to have a pint of warm
bitters in a cozy pub. We simply like odd cars, and when the parts break,
we don't want to discuss it endlessly, we just want the part to fix it so we
can continue driving.
Then the internet hit, and people like Mr Runyan were left behind. (Who
here remembers *trying* to get TRF online???) I still have a hard time
getting price lists/catalogues from TRF, and am about ready to stop
requesting them. Within 10 minutes, I can request catalogues from half
dozen small suppliers or large ones here or across the pond.
Parts are the same story. Ten years ago, I couldn't have imagined being
able to buy half of the bizzarre items with the ease I can today.
We all have TRF to thank for really starting the profitable parts
business for LBC's. There's not a lot of profit in green radiator hoses,
correct colour spark plug wires, and TRF should be commended for their
effort there. However, Mr Runyan needs to realize that though there are a
number of people who might wish to travel to somewhere in rural Pennsylvania
to go to a English Pub and maybe buy some parts or vintage Castrol Oil,
there are a whole lot of people who just want to keep their LBC running, and
really don't care if they buy their parts from the US, UK or wherever has a
decent part at a fair price.
TRF will go the way of MG Mitten if they're not careful.
Greg Tobin
list subscriber since '88(darn I'm feeling old)
72 Mark IV daily driver
79 1500 garage potato
69 GT6+ rust and more rust
70 GT6+ stripped body on sawhorses
54 Ford Crestline for variety
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