Topic: Western Hills Honda, Vintage Parts All Gone

[Popwood]

I'm local to Western Hills Honda in Cincinnat and have shopped vintage parts there for years. Stopped in a few days ago with a short list of items I needed. Terry, the vintage parts counter man, was on vacation. One of regular counter guys looked up the few tings I needed (really common stuff) and told me they had none. What???!!! Yeah, he said, some guys came through and bought every vintage Honda part we had. Turns out it was CMS, in the Netherlands, I think. Very disappointing. Over the years, the dealership has been looking more run down all the time. I overheard a salesman tell a customer they decided not to bring in new models because it cost too much. No wonder Terry was on vacation!

[Johnie]

Thanks for the info. Truly sad indeed. I used them many times and Terry was always really helpful to the guy who needed something to complete the project.

[RRRToolSolutions]

I have a lot of respect for Mr. Herschel. He scoured the country and made many mid-night trips back and forth to buy up old inventory. I've spoken with him at length at his dealership and at Barbers during Vintage Festival and his passion and knowledge were unmatched just a few years ago. He's is not a young man and the computer business is not an easy one.

Terry has been an ambassador to WH and the many years of restoring and collecting I've done. They were always my go-to dealership for old parts. We'll darn sure miss them.

I salute both Herschel and Terry! Gordon East

[wowbagger]

If it helps, I was able to find some difficult to acquire vintage parts at College Bike Shop in Lansing, MI:
http://www.collegebikeshop.com/

I had called Western Hills first and they referred me to College Bike Shop.

[Popwood]

I should add that the counter guy I spoke with said they may buy vintage stock from others dealers liquidating. But why would you buy stock at current market value to replace stock that you bought for pennies on the dollar over the years? Looks like a cash out deal to me. So be on the watch! They have a robust collection of vintage Hondas in their "museum" they may sell.

As an aside, I was there once and spoke to an elderly lady who turned out to be the wife of the original dealership owner. She recounted the time when in the early day Mr. Honda visited the dealership in support of the brand. How cool must that have been?!