By Ashley Reyes
Moss Motors/Moss Miata is the first company to be recognized by the SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) new-member spotlight program. Coined for servicing customers that drive and maintain vehicles that reflect the golden days of British motoring and sports cars, the company’s history is one which dates back to 1948. SEMA spoke to the company’s director of sales and marketing Kevin Kastner for the story and an update on their business in 2021.
SEMA: Tell us the story of your business. How did you start?
Kevin Kastner: Moss Motors started in 1948 by Al Moss to support the genesis of the sports car market when soldiers started importing MG TCs from England. Moss Motors continued to provide parts and accessories for British sports cars for more than 70 years, and expanded into another great sports car, the Miata, in 1994.
SEMA: What was your breakthrough moment?
KK: Moss Motors made some strategic decisions to purchase large supplies of spare parts and tooling during the era when little British sports cars like the MG and Triumph were going out of production. By building a large store of parts and moving more into the development, remanufacturing and sourcing of replacement parts was critical to keeping these unique and fun sports cars on the road for decades to come.
SEMA: Tell us about your business now in 2021 and what projects are you working on?
KK: Moss Motors continues to invest in its capabilities to develop restoration parts and upgrade components for British sports cars and the MX-5 Miata. Having recently acquired a Jaguar parts business, our plans include the expansion of products and availability on the East Coast from our Virginia facility and finding creative ways to house more in our California warehouses. Beyond 2020, our goals include the evolution of our sales, marketing and distribution to better serve current and future sports car owners and restoration shops with more selection and better service.
SEMA: Tell us about a particular project, product or build you are proud of.
KK: Despite the pandemic interruptions, Moss is proud to have kept our employees healthy and employed while still doing our very best to keep our customers fulfilled as they restore, repair and upgrade their cars.
SEMA: What advice do you have for young professionals contemplating a career in the automotive aftermarket, particularly in the restoration segment?
KK: There's no replacement for enthusiasm and having a sincere interest in learning about the cars, culture and communities that keep the automotive aftermarket thriving. Be authentic, have some core mechanical skills and be prepared to reinvent yourself over and over.