Moss Motors Ltd., a supplier of sports car parts and accessories headquartered in Goleta, California, is acquiring Victoria British Ltd., a former competitor from Lenexa, Kansas, the company announced.
Victoria British LTD. was founded in 1981 and is a manufacturer and retailer specializing in British sports car parts and accessories for MG, Triumph, Austin Healey and Sunbeam models. Victoria British was a division of Long Motor Corp., which will continue to operate its LMC Truck division.
Moss Motors Ltd. was founded in 1948 by Al Moss, an avid sports car enthusiast who converted an MG into a truck to deliver parts to drivers at racetracks. Today, Moss is a multi-national warehouse distributor, manufacturer and retailer of performance, restoration and replacement parts for vintage British and specialty market vehicles including Jaguar, MG, Triumph, Austin Healey, classic Mini and Miata.
“After more than 30 years, Victoria British Ltd., a division of Long Motor Corp., has decided to pass the baton to Moss Motors Ltd. to carry on the tradition of supplying car parts and accessories for British car owners around the world,” said Kevin Kastner, director of marketing and sales, Moss Motors, Ltd.
Victoria British President Becky Hanrahan said, “It was not a decision that we made lightly. We were Victoria British before we were LMC Truck, but we know we have not been giving the British market the attention it deserves. We feel our customers would be better served by a company whose primary focus is the British car market.”
Victoria British has for many years been a key resource for British sports car owners and their mission to “Keep’em On The Road.” The Moss Motors acquisition of Victoria British is aimed at maintaining support of the British sports car industry and community, the company said.
“As a long-standing name in the British sports car community, we recognize the rich history of Victoria British and will do our best to carry on their legacy,” said Ed Moss, president, Moss Motors. “It’s an exciting chapter for Moss Motors and we look forward to bringing together the best traditions of both companies to continue serving the industry by supporting car owners, restoration businesses and British sports car enthusiasts alike.”
In the coming weeks, both companies will be posting news and reaching out to customers, suppliers and other contacts regarding the details of the transition.
Dennis Plaunt, a member of the Fox Cities British Car Club (www.foxbrits.com), told THE SHOP that he was a satisfied customer of both companies and he looks forward to seeing what changes, if any, Moss’ purchase of Victoria British will mean to the 11,000 British car shops across the United States, as well as to British car enthusiasts.
