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SPRING 2010
OWEN WEBB
INDUCTED INTO THE RARE SPARES LEGEND HALL OF FAME
Owen Webb, House Of Kolor paint master and Chief Steward of the
Summernats Festival, has become the fourth winner of the inaugural
Golden Helmet, and has been inducted into the Rare Spares Legend Hall
of Fame.
Owen Webb was awarded the esteemed Rare Spares Legend Golden
Helmet at the Summernats festival during the popular Saturday night
entertainment. As has become tradition, Owen received a lap of honour
around the main Summernats arena, which was met with a rousing standing
ovation as the crowd payed homage to a visionary and true legend of the
motor industry.
Now in it’s the fourth year, the Rare Spares Legend Hall of Fame recognises
the lifetime achievements of those that have given great levels of dedication
to the motor industry. Each yearly inductee earns their place in the Legend
Hall of Fame and receives a number of personal benefits as well as national
acknowledgment.
“We saw it as our duty to the automotive community to create an award
that recognises the lifetime achievements of those individuals that have
given great levels of dedication to the motor industry” explained Rare
Spares General Manager, David Rayner.
“Owen was the ideal candidate for this year’s ‘Legend’. Our past three
‘Legends’ have all been leaders in their respective fields of the motor
industry. Owen, with his 35 years of devotion to the Australian car scene
and especially modified vehicles, has been a great influence in shaping the
modified car scene in Australia in so many ways. He is truly revered by his
peers.”
Owen joins Chic Henry, Australian street machine pioneer, inducted in 2010,
Howard Astill, master car builder, inducted in 2009, and Rod Hadfield,
pioneer of Australian racing and custom car building, inducted in 2008.
“I am so honoured and humbled to be given this recognition. It’s very
humbling to be honoured alongside past ‘Legends’ like Chic Henry, Rod
Hadfield and Howard Astill. They’ve all been recognised, as hopefully I
have, not just for what they’ve done as individuals, but for their significant
contributions to the motorsports industry as a whole,” said Owen.
“I was very surprised when they read out my name as winner of the Golden
Helmet. I didn’t see it coming at all! While I don’t do what I do just for
awards and accolades, it’s great to be recognised. Starting the Legend Hall
of Fame was an unbelievable initiative from the guys at Rare Spares. We
spend so much time here in Australia looking up to the Americans and what
they’ve achieved, so it’s great to get some local home-grown heroes.”
“I’d really like to thank Rare Spares not just for the award and recognition,
but for everything they’ve done for the industry.”
Owen’s road to the Rare Spares Legend Hall of Fame has been a long
one. After starting his panelbeating / spraypainting apprenticeship at 17,
Owen realized that the motoring industry was where he wanted to be.
At 22, Owen branched out and started his first business, restoring and
customizing cars. After 15 years, he sold the business, begun at ICI Dulux,
and worked his way up the ladder for ten years, becoming the Commercial
Transport manager. It was then that Owen moved onto his real passion;
demonstration, selling and training House of Kolor custom paints. The rest,
as they say, is history.
Owen has been heavily involved in Summernats, where he is Chief
Steward, and has been judging at the festival since its inception. He is also
involved in a number of other automotive shows across Australia, including
MotorEX, Meguiars Superstars, and several other shows judging the best
cars in Australia. He also contributes to magazines such as The National
Collision Repairer. His love of colour and painting vehicles has since taken
him to great heights, ranging from a multitude of street machines to royal
carriages for the Queen.
Rare Spares ‘Legends’ also receive mainstream recognition through
a dedicated website www.rarespareslegend.com.au and full page
advertisement in leading publication Street Machine Magazine, along with
a professional photo shoot.

At the end of July we had what
we called a “Super Saturday
Extravaganza”. It was a carnival
atmosphere with many customers
mingling with the five staff from Rare
Spares Head Office. I was lucky
enough to make the trip, and enjoyed
many an interesting conversation
with the customers.
One thing that many customers
talked about were the kitted
products we make, and how they
could be improved with the addition
of screws, nuts, bolts and clips
where appropriate, as many of
the small attaching parts are lost
during restoration. I also had many
discussions on what products need
to be remanufactured and made a
few promises in that area. Suddenly
our product development area has
just become a lot busier. This was
a great opportunity for me to get
some genuine feedback from our
customers and to explain to them
some of the difficulties we have
experienced not only in making
parts, but also in making the decision
to actually make the part in the first
place.
Feedback from customers is one of
the most important things for us as
a company. Over the years we have
made many parts and improved
many parts, because of what our
customers have said. We always
welcome feedback, either positive
or negative. Positive feedback gives
us a good feeling that we are doing
the right thing, negative feedback
tells us we need to pull our socks
up. Hearing negative comments is
probably more important to us as
a company, as it gives us a chance
to correct whatever is wrong. We do
take negative feedback seriously. So
much so, that we recently sent Lance
Corby to Newcastle to investigate
a problem. As it turned out, it was
not the fault of our product as first
perceived, but rather a fitting issue.
After reviewing some negative
feedback, the customer may be
referring to his car that could have
been modified by a previous owner.
This is a matter of getting all the facts
and helping out the customer. I just
recently talked to a customer who
said a certain component had 12
bolts to hold it on, whereas our kit
only had 10. Showing him the parts
book was not enough to convince
him, but when we showed him on
another car it was.
Anyone that runs a business, from
a one man band to a multimillion
dollar enterprise, needs customers
to survive, for without customers
there is no business. We all need
to listen to our customers even if
you think they are wrong, because
in their mind they are right, and
sometimes they are. Many of the
people in the restoration market are
experts, and some are only an expert
in their own garage, but nevertheless
their thoughts are important. I
always try to listen to all the experts,
because I only have a broad spare
parts knowledge, not the hands on
knowledge that the restorer has. At
some time these parts have been
changed but kept the same part
number, and I would only know what
the spare parts book tells me.
As I said, it is good to get feedback
but only if you act on it, otherwise it
is a total waste of time.
Les Mc Veigh
from the desk of the general manager
Recently we tried something a little different
by staging our first 20% off ‘Super Saturday’
which was held in Brisbane, Ipswich and
the Gold Coast. We have 4 Distributors in
Queensland, all of whom are in competition
with one another, plus Queensland is the
state where Rare Spares has the most outside
competitors.
Whilst Rare Spares may have the majority
of the restoration market in Queensland,
assisted by our four established Distributors,
we still need to actively promote our
business both in Queensland and throughout
Australasia for that matter. The original
concept for our ‘Super Saturday’ was for us
to hire the Willowbank Race Track, and make
the day open to all the local car clubs for both
a ‘Show n Shine’ as well as a promotional day
for the four Distributors. We decided against
this in favour of each Distributor staging a
separate local promotion.
One of the hardest tasks we had was to
establish a suitable date that would suit our
Distributors, our customers, and the three
celebrities we planned to help promote the
day. We chose July 31st, which just happened
to be the date for one of Queensland’s many
“Swap Meetings”. Regardless, the date was
set in stone and it was then left up to each
Distributor to arrange for the local car clubs
to come along, show off their cars and also
to arrange their own sausage sizzle. Our job
in conjunction with our Marketing Company
(DBC2), was to arrange all of the advertising
and promotional activity, as well as arrange
to bring up some celebrities and a number of
our staff for the day.
We were lucky enough to have both John
Bowe, our long term Ford ambassador and
Will Davison, our Holden ambassador, and
current Bathurst winner, to help us promote
the event; both of whom proved very popular
with our customers and the kids. We also
had Maurice Fabietti up from Sydney, with
his record breaking Monaro Door Slammer
drag car, complete with the huge transporter.
Whilst all three celebrities were busy posing
for photos, signing posters and anything
people wanted signed including smashed up
V8 Supercar panels, Maurice also allowed his
David N. Rayner
Rare Spares Super Saturday – Queensland
fans to sit in his car for photographs. He also
started the huge engine up and gave it a few
bursts, much to the enjoyment of the crowd.
The sausage sizzles at all four locations were
also most popular and a gold money spinner
for the Clubs involved.
By the time we finished at the Ipswich store
at around 8pm, we were all well and truly
tired and looking for a well earned rest. By
all accounts, the day was a resounding
success and we may consider staging similar
events in other states. These events take an
enormous amount of effort to organise and I
congratulate everyone involved.
David N. Rayner

living
the
dream
‘Holden Restoration Parts by Rare Spares’
was developed to help enthusiasts continue to
enjoy their classic Holdens (and future Holden
classics) for many years to come. The impressive
range of products on offer and readily available
from participating Holden Dealers and Rare
Spares outlets is amazing, and is helping many
enthusiasts live their dream of owning a classic
Holden.
One man, who is “living the dream” restoring
classic cars, is Victorian State Manager of Ultra
Tune Australia, Tony Cott. Tony owns five cars in
total, but his undeniable favourites are the 1976
LX SX Hatchback and the 1974 LH SL Sedan.
“The LH will never be finished, though it is
completely drivable and registered,” Tony
explained. Tony has had the LH for two years
and is restoring it back to factory original
specifications. The Hatchback on the other hand
a quick
lap with
John
Bowe
Even during times of economic downturn, the love
and passion for restoring “Classic Aussie Cars” has
continued to grow, as enthusiasts’ hunger for that
familiar rumble of classic muscle idling.
a quick lap with
is factory original on the outside, but modified
underneath. “I love the look of these cars, but
I wanted to make mine go harder than the next
guy’s.”
“They have a vast range of products for restoring a
car back to original specifications at Rare Spares,
from door rubbers and headlamps, right down
to the intricate finishing details like small engine
bay decals. I’ve spent so much time down at Rare
Spares, I’ve almost become part of the furniture.”
Tony is “car mad”, and certain cars are his
passion in life. The importance of fulfilling these
aspirations has always been, and continues to
be extremely important to him. He not only loves
the background of road cars, but also their racing
history, and for this reason he has a soft spot for
the Toranas. “It was just such a fast car in the
hands of greats such as Brocky and Morris. I also
have great respect for the HDT team under John
It’s really great to see Rare Insight back. Lots of
people have been asking me about it. My Rare Spares
world has been pretty busy recently, as you probably
know. Rare Spares is a series sponsor for the Touring
Car Masters series, which is where I do most of my
racing now. The series has grown incredibly in the
past couple of years, clearly reflecting the love affair
with muscle cars that consumes us Aussie car lovers.
Let’s not forget that without Rare Spares, most of
these classic iconic muscle cars would not exist.
There just would not be the parts around to restore
them! This brings me to my time at the Summernats in
Canberra in early Jan.
This was my 6th year as a Rare Spares ambassador
at the Nats, and the best yet. The car people I get to
meet and interact with are amazing. Everyone from
an old guy doing some work on his FE Holden rear
suspension bushes, to a bloke and his wife looking
for a 36 gallon fuel tank for his restoration project XW
GT Falcon. Fortunately for them, Rare Spares had the
parts needed on the stand. That proves how important
Rare Spares are to our National Car heritage!
The Nats has suffered some pretty negative press over
the years, mostly from a few left wing loonies that live
in Canberra, but let me tell you, this year’s event was
outstanding, with less bad yobbo behavior than you
get every Saturday at the MCG during a footy game.
Some of the purpose built show cars are automotive
Sheppard,” Tony added.
Cars are not only a passion for Tony, it’s very much
a lifestyle. Apart from being a Holden enthusiast,
Tony is also the president of the Victorian Torana
Car Club, helping build a strong foundation for the
club. He is also a fully trained and qualified motor
mechanic.
The cars Tony currently own come with great
pride, as they were the vehicles he strived for.
“The cars of my younger days that I really wanted;
they’re an exciting car, you need to concentrate
to drive it, not like modern cars. I’m a Holden
man through and through!” It seems Tony’s car
loving has even rubbed off onto his five year-old
daughter, who claims the LH as her own car. It
looks like with the support of the newly released
‘Holden Restoration Parts by Rare Spares’
program, Tony will be holding onto to that one for
his daughter for many years to come.
art, and the street cars, which is what I am interested
in mostly, provide something for everyone. To the
entrants, those cars are their life, and the Summernats
is Australia’s most important car show.
My racing year for 2011 is going to be very busy. In
fact I seem to be doing as much racing now as I did
before I retired from V8s, but the down side is I’m not
getting paid for it. The reality is that I love cars and
motorsport, and I love car people, so to be able to
still indulge my passion for cars and racing makes me
think that I am blessed.
I have been racing cars for over 35 years now, and
I have no intention of stopping! The Touring Car
Masters series will be over 8 rounds this year, with TV
packages for all of them, so keep an eye out for those.
The racing is fast and furious, the cars are a handful,
and the crowd loves them. Just like the old days.
This year we will have a host of new cars joining the
series, including a couple of XB Falcon Coupes, and
two or three LH Torana SLR 5000’s. The reason they
are now eligible is because the cut off year has been
extended to 1974. Add in the Mustangs, GTHO XY
falcons, the Camaros, Chargers, and Jim Richards
newly built Rambler Javelin, and there will surely be
some cracker racing.
I hope to see you at the tracks this year, or at a Rare
Spares store near you soon.

DISTRIBUTOR UPDATES
Bayswater vip night
Rare Spares Bayswater recently held a VIP
night for three car clubs; EH Holden Car
Club, Early Model Holden Car Club and the
Victorian Torana Car Club. The night was
about developing stronger relationships with
the clubs and giving them more of an insight
into Rare Spares. A good range of new
products were available for display, as well
as some relevant items still in production.
The store had strong expectations to create
high sales, and were not disappointed when
they were rewarded with their biggest sales
night ever held for a VIP event.
The annual Street Machine Magazine
“Summernats” (proudly supported by Rare
Spares) is more than a car show; it’s a
festival of the street machine lifestyle. The
event attracts enthusiasts from Australia
and overseas to see, feel and participate in
a four-day battering of Australian automotive
ingenuity and high octane entertainment.
Closing late each night enthusiasts are
treated to the best in street machine displays
and judging, as well as; outrageous burnouts,
horsepower, audio, driving and Go-Whoa
competitions, and up to 12 months of newly
developed Rare Spares products.
“To encourage the car club members to
attend the night, we offered a special 20%
discount on all Rare Spares products as well
as a door prize of a $100 gift voucher,” said
Steve Brown, Rare Spares Bayswater Store
Manager.
“The clubs really enjoyed talking with our
staff and the social aspect. I was able to
have a chat post event with the President
of the Early Model Holden Car Club, who
reported that all the boys from their club
were extremely happy with the night and had
a great time.”
Car Club Banners
Ford Rallye Sport in Victoria and EH Holden in Western
Australia have recently received banners from the Rare
Spares Car Club Loyalty Program.
Darwin signing
The Rare Spares Darwin “Touring Car Masters
VIP Afternoon” was a great success with all
attendees having a wonderful afternoon meeting
and greeting their favourite drivers. And of course
Ashley churned out the sausage sandwiches like
nobody’s business. A big thanks to Malcolm,
Peter, Ashley and the rest of the Rare Spares crew
for a job well done, and special thanks to John
Palamountain from Shannons for making it all
happen. In all, there were 20 cars on display with
approximately 80 people in attendance at any one
time. There was also a lucky door prize of a double
pass to the V8 Supercars, which made one guest
very happy.
Summernats 24
Rare Spares exposure throughout the
event is enviable. As always, there were
great giveaways, exciting competitions and
awesome prizes, including burnouts during
the Burnout Masters finals with Top 10
Burnout Master Peter Gray, and exclusive
backstage passes to meet the members of
The Angels, the feature band during Saturday
night’s entertainment.
On Stand in the Rare Spares team were Drag
Racing Legend Maurice Fabietti and his Top
Door Slammer, John Bowe V8 Supercar
Great and Unique Cars Magazine’s Tribute
Blue Meanie.
Rare Spares Real Street Awards
The Summernats is home to many driving, horsepower, and show’n’shine
events; but none like that of the Rare Spares Real Street Awards. These
awards represent the company’s belief that quality street machines should
be driven; NOT hidden. So, whilst other events look purely at the best
of the best, Rare Spares Real Street looks at the best of those vehicles
that are regularly out and about, enjoying the full experience of owning an
Aussie Muscle Car. The quality of cars entered this year was once again
exceptional. All 25 finalists were immaculate examples of vehicles that are
regularly driven, and a credit to the drivers and the motoring scene.
In what was a very tough field, Melissa Eveille’s 1967 Holden HR Ute was
judged to be the most outstanding within the category for body, paint,
interior and cleanliness.
Overall Winner - Melissa Eveille (1967 Holden HR Ute)
Runner-Up – Sue Morris (1976 Holden Monaro GTS Sedan)
Runner-Up – Emma Stone (1970 Holden HT Wagon)
Encouragement – Paul Robson (Holden Kingswood HZ Wagon)
Best Real Street Story – Rob Montanez (1975 Ford Falcon XB GT Sedan)