Supplier Overview
Moss Motors has been supplying British classic car parts since 1948, making them one of the oldest businesses of their kind in North America. Based in Goleta, California, they maintain a large warehouse operation and an extensive illustrated online catalogue covering MG, Triumph, Austin-Healey, and a limited range of Jaguar parts.
Their core strength is catalogue depth for MG and Austin-Healey. For the MGB alone, Moss lists thousands of individual part numbers spanning body panels, mechanical components, electrical items, interior trim, rubber seals, and fastener kits. This level of coverage is genuinely difficult to match from any single US-based supplier.
Moss Motors has a major presence in the US British car community. They sponsor car shows, publish technical articles, and maintain a customer service team with genuine marque knowledge. For North American owners of British classics, Moss is often the first supplier they encounter — and for many MG and Healey restorations, it’s the only one they need.
“For MG and Austin-Healey owners in the US, Moss Motors is the obvious first stop. For Triumph owners, it depends on the part — Moss is solid on common items, but Rimmer Bros has deeper coverage.”
Strengths & Known Limitations
- Enormous catalogue depth for MG and Austin-Healey
- US-based — fast domestic shipping, no customs
- Illustrated online catalogue with clear part diagrams
- Good technical support from knowledgeable staff
- Long-established reputation in the community
- Solid Triumph coverage for TR2–TR6 and Spitfire
- No affiliate programme (we link as reference only)
- Quality of some reproduction parts varies
- Prices can be higher than UK-based alternatives
- Some items sourced from same manufacturers as competitors
- Jaguar range is limited compared to SNG Barratt
- International shipping less competitive than UK suppliers for overseas buyers
The reproduction quality point deserves honest context. Moss stocks parts from a range of manufacturers, and quality is not uniform. Body panels, rubber seals, and interior trim from Moss are generally adequate for driver-quality builds, but some items — particularly cheaper body panels and electrical components — can require fitting adjustments. This is not unique to Moss; it’s a reality across the British classic parts trade. The important thing is to buy from a supplier who will stand behind the part if it doesn’t fit, and Moss has a reasonable returns policy.
Key Product Categories
Moss Motors organises their catalogue by marque and model. Here is where their coverage is strongest.
- MGA (1955–1962)
- MGB & MGB GT (1962–1980)
- MG Midget (1961–1979)
- MG TD & MG TF (1949–1955)
- MG TC (1945–1949)
- TR2, TR3, TR3A (1953–1962)
- TR4 & TR4A (1961–1967)
- TR250 & TR6 (1967–1976)
- Spitfire (1962–1980)
- GT6 (1966–1973)
- Austin-Healey 100 (BN1/BN2)
- Austin-Healey 3000 (BJ7/BJ8)
- Austin-Healey Sprite (all marks)
- XK120, XK140, XK150
- Some E-Type items
- Coverage far less comprehensive than SNG Barratt
Within each marque, Moss covers body panels, mechanical and engine parts, braking, suspension, electrical, interior trim, rubber and seals, fasteners, and accessories. Their illustrated parts diagrams are particularly useful — they show exploded views of assemblies with individual part numbers, which makes identification straightforward even if you don’t know the exact part name.
Shipping & Returns
Moss Motors ships from their Goleta, California warehouse. For US domestic orders, this means typical delivery times of 3–7 business days depending on your location, with no customs fees or import duties. This is the single biggest practical advantage Moss has over UK-based suppliers like Rimmer Bros for American buyers — you avoid the 2–4 week international shipping window and potential customs charges.
Moss offers several shipping options including standard ground and expedited services. They also ship internationally, though for buyers outside North America, ordering from a UK-based supplier is usually more cost-effective.
Their returns policy allows returns within 30 days for most items in original condition. Electrical components and special-order items may have restrictions. Check their current policy on mossmotors.com before ordering, as terms can change.
How Moss Compares to Alternatives
No single supplier covers everything. Here is how Moss Motors stacks up against the main alternatives for British classic car parts.
| Factor | Moss Motors Reference | Rimmer Bros Affiliate | Victoria British |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Goleta, CA, USA | Lincoln, England, UK | Lenexa, KS, USA |
| Strongest Marques | MG, Austin-Healey | Triumph, Rover, MG | MG, Triumph |
| Triumph Depth | Good (TR2–TR6, Spitfire) | Excellent (all Triumph models including Stag) | Good (TR & Spitfire focus) |
| US Shipping | 3–7 days, no customs | 2–4 weeks, duties may apply | 3–7 days, no customs |
| Pricing | Mid-range to high | Often lower on equivalent parts | Comparable to Moss |
| Online Catalogue | Excellent — illustrated diagrams | Excellent — detailed search | Functional |
| Best For | US-based MG & Healey owners | Triumph owners; price-conscious buyers with larger orders | US buyers wanting a second source |
The practical reality for most restorers: use Moss for fast-turnaround US orders on MG and Austin-Healey parts, and supplement with Rimmer Bros for Triumph-specific items or when building a large order where the price difference justifies international shipping. For rare or NOS parts, eBay fills gaps that no single catalogue supplier can cover.
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