I am Ralph Moyer, the original founder of REM Automotive Parts, Inc. I’d like to share the story of how this company was created and offer my thoughts on its future.

I grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. At the age of 18, I bought a blue convertible four-speed 1964 Pontiac GTO. It was my first new car and the start of my muscle car obsession.

I drove it for a year, and then found out I’d been drafted into the military. While I was away serving my country, my family stored and occasionally drove my GTO.

When my tour ended, I returned to the states. I met and married my wife, who didn’t want to drive a car with a stick shift. So, I sold my GTO.

But by then, I had oil in my veins.

For fun and to make extra money, I bought and sold several GTOs. Our family had grown to include two children, so the extra income was a nice perk. Plus, I got to satisfy my need to restore GTOs.

At a local car show, the ’64 GTO hard top I fitted with a new trunk mat made from found materials caught the attention of the person parked next to me. His ’67 GTO needed a new trunk mat, and he asked if I’d make one for him.

Soon after, Pontiac club members found out that I could make trunk mats for them, as well. Word spread and I received a larger order from a company out of Atlanta, Georgia. They wanted to know who to make the check out to, so I said, “REM”. My initials are still the company name.

In 1980, I made only one item. Now, REM Automotive Parts, Inc. makes more than 6,000 classic car parts for your restoration projects and car show vehicle’s needs.

I’ve seen our parts showcased on vehicles as they are sold on TV auctions, and even when they highlight some of these classic car interiors; that’s rewarding. Running this business has been a lot of hard work, but it’s also been a lot of fun.

REM Automotive Parts, Inc. started out as a one-man-show out of Pennsylvania with a single, simple product. Now, our team is a valued supplier of vintage car restoration parts for dozens of makes and models.

As the world market has evolved over these last 30 years, keeping up has been a challenge. It used to be easy to find American companies to supply raw materials used in vintage car restoration parts used from the 1950s through the 1980s. An important goal of auto restoration is matching the exact materials the original manufacturer used when they created the vehicle.

Now, we purchase materials from all over the world. Shipping costs are rising, as are labor costs. This has a huge effect on REM Automotive Parts, Inc. and our bottom line.

It also offers opportunities we never dreamed of. The restoration market continues to evolve. While prices influence the market, our customers' undying love of vintage and antique vehicles never wanes.

Here at REM, the next generation of owners have taken over. You’ll see changes, but they’ll be for the benefit of our loyal customers and car enthusiasts who all have one goal in common: to bring their vehicles back to life by restoring them to their original glory.

Life changes as we go “somewhere down the road”.

-Ralph Moyer, REM