Healey Friends Visit A H Spares Showroom

Posted: Wednesday, 14 January 2026 @ 11:13

A H Spares showroom with Austin Healey BN1 on display in the UK

Some Visits Are About Parts, The Best Ones Are About People

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Scott McQueen and Jeff Lumbard to A H Spares here in the UK. They popped in to collect a few parts for their Healeys, but it quickly turned into the sort of catch-up this hobby does best: shop talk, restoration notes, and the kind of stories that only make sense if you’ve ever spent a quiet evening “just checking one thing” in a parts book.

Scott McQueen and Jeff Lumbard with A H Spares team in the showroom

Scott and Jeff are familiar faces to us. We first met them at the US Conclave in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 2024, where the cars are excellent but the people are the real reason you go. It was a real pleasure to see them again, this time on our home turf.

Vintage Austin Healey parts display inside the A H Spares showroom

Austin Healey BT7 inner bodyshell assembly on display at A H Spares showroom

A H Spares historic Kardex filing system used for Austin Healey parts reference

A Wander Through the Showroom (And a Few Tangents Along the Way)

During their visit, we showed Scott and Jeff around our premises and spent plenty of time in the showroom. Conversation moved easily from current restoration projects to parts choices, long-distance driving, and the small details that only become important once you’ve lived with a Healey for a while.

They were particularly interested in how the showroom has evolved. Developing it has always been about making parts easier to understand in the real world, not just on a screen. Being able to see components up close, compare options, and talk things through properly still matters, especially when you’re working on cars designed long before online catalogues and next-day delivery.

As ever with Healey owners, one conversation led neatly into another. Cars, events, road trips, and the shared experiences that seem to come with these cars whether you’re driving them in the UK, the USA, or anywhere in between.

Restored vintage Shell petrol pump displayed in the A H Spares showroom

Period office typewriter with A H Spares letterhead displayed in showroom

Why Face-to-Face Healey Conversations Still Matter

Seeing parts in person helps remove uncertainty before ordering
Talking projects through can highlight options you may not have considered
Shared experience often answers questions before they’re asked
A showroom visit turns part numbers into something tangible
The Healey community remains one of the most open and welcoming around

It’s this exchange of knowledge that keeps restorations moving forward and helps owners make informed decisions, rather than learning the hard way after the box has arrived.

Austin Healey BN1 positioned behind a BT7 inner bodyshell assembly in the A H Spares workshop

A Proper Finish at The Cape

After their visit with us, Scott and Jeff headed off to enjoy a well-earned pint at The Cape of Good Hope pub, just down the road from the original Healey Cape Works, which is now JME Healeys. It’s a short walk, but one steeped in Healey history, and a fitting stop for anyone with an interest in the marque.

It felt like the right way to round off the visit. A bit of local history, a bit of reflection, and no shortage of stories that will no doubt improve with each retelling.

Austin Healey BN1 displayed inside the A H Spares showroom

Thinking of Visiting A H Spares?

Whether you’re planning a UK trip, passing through, or simply want to talk through a restoration project with people who work with Healeys every day, you’re always welcome to visit us. Seeing parts in person and having a proper conversation often makes the next steps clearer.

Visit Our Showroom & Talk Healey Projects

FAQs

Can I visit the A H Spares showroom without an appointment?

You can, but we recommend getting in touch beforehand so we can make sure the right people are available to talk through your project.

Is the showroom useful if my restoration hasn’t started yet?

Yes. Many owners visit early on to understand what’s involved and to plan parts purchases more confidently.

Do you often welcome overseas Healey owners?

Very often. We regularly see visitors from Europe, the USA, and beyond. Healey ownership travels well.

Can you help plan parts purchases during a visit?

Absolutely. Talking things through face-to-face can help avoid unnecessary orders and save time later.

Healey Friends Visit A H Spares from the USA