Future availability of Wescott fiberglass?

[Karl Wescott]

I have with much trepidation decided to put the word out that the end is approaching for me to continue making fiberglass fenders, components, and bodies. Besides my being tired and my wife wanting me for retirement the property and buildings the business is using will soon be sold to new owners. Will this be 3 months? Possibly. Will this be a year? Probably. Will this be two years. Maybe. There is no one in the Wescott family who has the skills or inclination to keep the fiberglass manufacturing going.


If Wescott fiberglass is to continue someone with passion for keeping parts for old Fords available will need to step up. This is going to take space. I use five 40’ containers to store just the fender molds, At least that space is needed for all the body molds. If you know someone who is interested pass the word.


Meanwhile, we are still building fiberglass parts on a limited basis and keeping up with orders.


The non fiberglass parts we make should continue to be available for a few more years, I believe I will be able to continue as a part time garage business, or again if someone wants to step up I will be happy to “transfer the torch” (my wife will be happier!) The resale parts portion of this business will likely slowly go away (unless someone steps up as an adjunct to the fiberglass or other parts manufacturing).


I expect to continue to share my (limited) technical knowledge to the community, and continue to keep the frame diagrams available.


Karl Wescott

[TomT/Williamsburg]

You are a standard that will be tough to follow but I do hope someone steps up to the plate. It has to be a hard decision but one that is better made sooner rather than later. I know you will still contribute here and I thank you for the quality parts and comments you have been making for us and the hobby.

Keep us posted and hope soneone will step into your shoes ….

[cas3]

Best wishes for you Karl, I always enjoy your wisdom here, hope you can find a buyer.

[ThirstyThirty]

WESTCOTT'S: A true and dedicated icon of the industry! "Thank you for all you have done over the years."

I have some appreciation of fiberglass work. not as a craftsman or tradesman but more so as an observer. and user. a very good friend of mine, now gone, was heavy into fiberglass work and repairs for certain types of automobiles. had a large shop. I had a car, 70's, modified all over... and we made a fiberglass front bumper to reduce weight in front end. both bumpers painted body color. no one ever knew front was 'glass... unless i told them. really? sure, 'nuff! tap it! feel it here on back side...


just went to their site and took a look at all their fine work!

.http://www.wescottsauto.com/Bodies/Bodies.html

[ford38v8]

Now I feel terrible about my unkind words re fiberglass fenders a couple days ago. Karl’s work over the years has been a huge benefit for Fordophiles, without which Ford surely wouldn’t hold such a prominent place in the hobby. My apologies to Karl for my bad joke and best wishes for finding a successor.

[tubman]

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This is happening all too often these days. It is unfortunate, but reflects the aging of the hobby and iit's devotees. While I operated on a lower level than The Westcotts, I was always aware of them and the benefits they provided the hobby. Hopefully, they will find someone to carry on, but it won't be the same. They will be missed.

[nickthebandit]

I remember Wescott's when Dee Wescott, Karl's father ran the business. Karl stepped up, and took the helm when it was time. I would hope that someone would step up, and take the business to the next generation. A lot of fiberglass manufactures have come and gone, while Wescott's survived. Let us not lose the business that is needed.