Californian Classics
Hastings-based Californian Classics offer a one-stop shop for Karmann Ghia owners. Combining a life-long passion with a wealth of expertise, the business is dedicated to helping clients find specialist parts, accessories and engines to restore or improve their Classic Karmann Ghia.
Fuelling his life-long passion for classic cars is the founder of Californian Classics, Pete Morley. Over the past 25-30 years, he has restored more cars than he can remember, constructing his very first Karmann Ghia in the late nineties, followed by a full-length magazine feature regarded as a rising talent in the engineering sector.
In these years, Morley identified a gap in the market for companies catering to specialist classic cars such as the Karmann Ghia. After putting his passion to the test along with his love for vintage vehicles, Californian Classics was formed in 2015.
The company is now the largest supplier of Karmann Ghia specific parts and accessories in the UK, with a global e-commerce customer base attracting sales from Europe, South Africa, Columbia, Asia and the USA.
With funding support from Let’s Do Business Finance, Californian Classics received a Business Loan to expand their operation by refurbishing the office and purchase specialist machinery that would result in a higher quality service provided to clients and increase production levels. As well as helping Californian Classics to bring all elements of production in-house, the funding resulted in the business being able to expand their team with two new staff members and the safeguarding of nine jobs, an example of our commitment to support the growth of our local economy and boost job opportunities for the area.