Phil Reilly was more than just a mechanic; he was a cornerstone in the Restoration World Car Parts ecosystem, a legend whose impact resonates through the veins of classic and race car aficionados globally. His unexpected passing at 79 marked the end of an era for many, but his legacy as a restorer, engine builder, and mentor continues to inspire those dedicated to preserving automotive history. Reilly’s expertise wasn’t confined to nuts and bolts; it was a holistic understanding of automotive heritage, combined with an unparalleled commitment to quality and authenticity in every car part he touched and every restoration project he undertook.
In the golden age of collectible race cars, the 1970s and 80s, Reilly was a pioneering force, instrumental in shaping a burgeoning market. Over the subsequent four decades, his workshop became synonymous with meticulous and historically accurate restorations. From the elegant curves of pre-war Hispano-Suizas to the dynamic lines of Alfa Romeos, the raw power of V-12 Ferraris, and a formidable collection of Formula 1 cars, Reilly’s hands breathed life back into automotive icons. His restorations weren’t mere cosmetic enhancements; they were deep dives into the soul of each vehicle, ensuring every car part was not just functional, but true to its original spirit.
Reilly’s name became particularly revered in the realm of Cosworth DFV engines. For collectors and racers alike, a Cosworth DFV built by Reilly was the gold standard. His engines powered countless historic Grand Prix cars, a testament to his unparalleled skill and understanding of these complex machines. He co-founded Historic Grand Prix, an organization that brought the thrilling spectacle of 3.0-liter, normally aspirated Formula 1 cars to a wider audience. But Reilly’s influence extended far beyond engine building. He was a generous mentor, nurturing craftsmen who went on to establish their own workshops, spreading his philosophy of quality and dedication within the restoration world car parts community and beyond.
Phil Reilly, a pivotal figure in the collectible race car market and a cherished mentor, is pictured meticulously assembling an engine in his workshop, demonstrating his profound expertise in restoration world car parts.
Forrest Teran of Teran Motor Sports, now a respected builder of DFVs and other race engines, attests to Reilly’s profound influence. “I probably wouldn’t have graduated from high school if it wasn’t for Phil,” Teran recalls, highlighting Reilly’s commitment to not just cars but also the people around him. Reilly insisted on Teran’s education, supporting his college classes and offering him a full-time position. Teran’s story is just one of many, illustrating Reilly’s role as a guiding force, taking in “wayward animals and bringing them back around” within the restoration world car parts community.
Motorsports was not just Reilly’s profession; it was his all-consuming passion. His extensive library, memorized in detail, was a testament to his deep knowledge of racing history. He could recount the intricate histories of chassis, tracing their lineage through builders, owners, races, and outcomes. Tim Coffeen, a veteran chief mechanic from Newman/Haas Racing, emphasizes this, stating, “He loved racing, and the history of racing more than anybody I ever met.” This deep historical understanding was crucial to Reilly’s approach to restoration, ensuring authenticity in every car part and assembly.
Reilly’s personal collection, featuring a 1974 Formula 1 Brabham BT44 and a 1960 Kurtis/Epperly laydown Offy roadster, the Bowes Seal Fast Special, wasn’t just for show. He actively participated in events like the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Millers at Milwaukee, not to grandstand, but to share his passion with fellow enthusiasts. Coffeen recounts, “There were years when ten people drove the Bowes,” highlighting Reilly’s generosity and desire to share these pieces of automotive history. This spirit of sharing extended to his approach to restoration world car parts, always willing to share his knowledge and expertise.
While the automotive world is filled with skilled mechanics, successful entrepreneurs, and knowledgeable fans, Reilly was distinguished by his character. Described as a mensch – honest, dependable, compassionate, and ethical – he was revered for his integrity. James King, a lifelong friend, noted, “He was such a fine ambassador for the sport because he was such a gentleman and he lived such an honorable life.” Reilly’s commitment to doing right extended to his business practices, often fixing issues on cars that weren’t even his shop’s responsibility, a testament to his dedication to quality and customer satisfaction within the restoration world car parts industry.
[Reilly] was such a fine ambassador for the sport because he was such a gentleman and he lived such an honorable life. — James King
Born in the Bay Area in 1943, Reilly’s path was set at a USAC Champ Car race in Sacramento. An encounter with driver Jud Larson, who lifted a young Reilly into the cockpit, ignited a lifelong passion. From that moment, racing became his destiny, shaping his career in the restoration world car parts.
Even as a child, Reilly was immersed in racing, subscribing to the Indianapolis Star to follow the Indianapolis 500. His office walls, adorned with driver autographs from his youth, reflected this enduring passion. In high school, working on a flathead Ford and assisting a club racer, his automotive journey deepened. His dedication to cars even led him to miss a date with his future wife, Kathy, illustrating the intensity of his focus and commitment to the automotive restoration world car parts. “The car stuff just dominated his attention,” Kathy Reilly recalls, “He’d get so involved that he would lose track of time.”
A young Phil Reilly is pictured in high school with his Ford, revealing his long-standing passion for automobiles that laid the foundation for his future eminence in the restoration world car parts sector.
Despite earning a journalism degree, Reilly’s true calling remained in the automotive realm. After military service, a rejection from Competition Press led him to Joe Huffaker, a pivotal figure in Northern California’s road-racing scene. Huffaker, known for his MG Liquid Suspension Specials and Genies, became a key influence on Reilly’s early career in the restoration world car parts.
Huffaker’s shop, though then small, was a hub of innovation. Reilly worked on MG road-racing cars and built engines for a formula-car program, collaborating with Ivan Zaremba and John Woodner. This experience with Huffaker was formative, immersing Reilly in the intricacies of race car mechanics and the importance of precision and quality in every car part. Later, through Stephen Griswold, an Alfa Romeo dealer, Reilly and Zaremba were drawn into the nascent world of vintage race car restoration.
While vintage car racing was gaining traction in the UK, it was still in its infancy in the United States. Obsolete race cars were often discarded, their car parts undervalued and forgotten. However, in 1974, Steve Earle launched the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, sparking a revolution. This prestigious event ignited interest in historic race cars, transforming them from relics into collectible treasures. Zaremba recalls, “We were there at the ground floor of resurrecting cars that had not been allowed to go to scrap.” Griswold’s shop became central to this movement, with Reilly playing a key role in the resurrection of countless historic car parts and vehicles.
Griswold’s shop, with its pedigree, skilled team, and deep knowledge of racing history, became a magnet for vintage racing enthusiasts. Reilly’s expertise was crucial to this success, as the shop became a leading resource for those entering the vintage racing scene. At one point, the shop was simultaneously working on eight Birdcage Maseratis, a testament to their prominence in the restoration world car parts market.
Even amidst the burgeoning vintage car scene, Reilly remained connected to contemporary racing through a Formula Atlantics group. An incident in Westwood, Canada, where his friends’ cars broke down, led to the creation of the “Punk Racing Team” moniker, showcasing Reilly’s playful side. This blend of serious expertise and lighthearted camaraderie defined his approach to the restoration world car parts.
We didn’t expect to get rich. We were doing this to provide ourselves with jobs on our own terms. We were able to say, ‘I never had to do a job I didn’t want to do. I didn’t have to work for somebody I didn’t want to work for. And I didn’t have to work with somebody I didn’t want to work with. — Ivan Zaremba, Reilly’s longtime business partner
In 1980, Reilly, Zaremba, and Ross Cummings established Phil Reilly & Company. This partnership was built on mutual respect and a shared vision of quality and integrity within the restoration world car parts sector. Cummings, a master machinist, Zaremba, an old-car authority, and Reilly, the engine specialist and manager, formed a perfect team.
Zaremba describes their business philosophy as treating customers like family. Their core principle wasn’t wealth accumulation, but job satisfaction and autonomy. This ethos allowed them to focus on projects they were passionate about, working with people they respected, a rare privilege in any industry, including the demanding restoration world car parts.
Starting from Reilly’s home garage, Phil Reilly & Company quickly grew, moving to Corte Madera. The firm, employing skilled artisans, earned a reputation for building reliable, period-correct cars. Their commitment to authenticity and quality in every car part and restoration project attracted a loyal clientele.
The shop’s diverse projects, spanning various marques, transformed it into a living museum. Chris MacAllister, a prominent collector, described it as “the coolest place to visit,” akin to “going to the Vatican,” highlighting the exceptional quality and historical significance of the cars and car parts within.
By the late 1980s, Reilly was celebrated as America’s foremost Cosworth DFV expert. This wasn’t a calculated business move, but the result of his deep fascination, sparked at the 1974 U.S. Grand Prix by the Brabham BT44. His expertise in Cosworth DFV engines became a cornerstone of his reputation in the restoration world car parts.
A Brabham BT-44 is captured in action at Watkins Glen, exemplifying the iconic race cars that Phil Reilly expertly restored, showcasing his profound impact on the restoration world car parts industry.
In 1985, Reilly acquired a BT44, embarking on a meticulous restoration that even involved Kathy Reilly bucking rivets. The restored Brabham was so authentic that Gordon Murray himself sought Reilly’s advice when building a replica, an incredible testament to Reilly’s expertise and attention to detail in car part restoration.
The Brabham’s engine-less state led Reilly to delve deeply into the Cosworth DFV. By rebuilding countless engines, he mastered every nuance of this iconic V-8. His ability to distinguish genuine DFVs from modified sports car versions by sound alone underscored his unparalleled expertise. This deep knowledge of Cosworth engines solidified his reputation within the restoration world car parts community as the ultimate authority.
Reilly, along with James King and Rebecca Hale (now Evans), were the driving forces behind Historic Grand Prix. HGP events, featuring grids full of 3.0-liter F1 cars, many powered by Reilly-built engines, celebrated an era of racing. The authenticity and gentlemanly spirit of these events reflected Reilly’s own values and dedication to preserving the heritage of restoration world car parts and racing.
Phil Reilly is pictured driving his Brabham number 7, demonstrating his deep passion for both racing and the meticulous restoration of classic vehicles, a hallmark of his career in the restoration world car parts sector.
Reilly’s racing career ended after a minor incident at Watkins Glen, but his passion for sharing his cars continued. He found joy in seeing friends race his Brabham, celebrating Marvin’s fourth-place finish at the Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion in the car.
Despite his renown with DFVs and Formula 1 cars, Reilly’s personal passion lay with American circle-track racing cars, from pre-war Millers to Offy-powered roadsters. His annual pilgrimages to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway were not for the 500 race, but to immerse himself in its history, studying archives, exploring the museum, and connecting with his racing heroes. Restoring the Bowes Seal Fast Special and similar cars allowed him to learn from and befriend the craftsmen he admired, furthering his knowledge and appreciation of restoration world car parts from this era.
Reilly, the professor-like mechanic, was deeply committed to passing on his knowledge. His workbench became “The University of Phil,” as Evans described it, a place of learning that extended beyond technical skills to business ethics and life lessons. Trevor Green-Smith, now a performance engineer with the Haas Formula 1 team, vividly remembers his first lesson from Reilly: how to properly use a push broom. This anecdote exemplifies Reilly’s approach to mentorship, emphasizing the importance of even the smallest details within the restoration world car parts and beyond.
Phil’s walking through the shop with his coffee, and he pivots and looks at me with complete incredulousness. He shakes his head, and he sets down his coffee, and he grabs the broom out of my hands, and he starts sweeping. ‘It’s called a push broom for a reason. This is how you use it.’ And he hands it back to me. It was awesome. I had no idea what I was doing. Without him, I’d be nowhere.” — Trevor Green-Smith, performance engineer, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team
In 2015, Reilly, Zaremba, and Cummings sold Phil Reilly & Company to Brian Madden. Reilly stayed on for three years before opening a smaller shop in San Rafael, focusing on complete restorations at his own pace. This new chapter allowed him to be selective, choosing projects and clients that resonated with him, further refining his craft in the restoration world car parts.
In his final years, Reilly worked on a McLaren M19 F1 car and a 1960 Edmunds/Kuzma dirt Champ car. His last interaction with the author involved diagnosing a minor issue on the Edmunds/Kuzma car, demonstrating his unwavering attention to detail, even down to a slightly too-thick screw head.
His sudden death shocked the vintage racing community. The outpouring of grief and remembrance underscored the profound impact he had on so many. Marvin’s sentiment, “Phil had a lot of laps left in him,” captures the collective sense of loss. Phil Reilly was, unequivocally, “the genuine article,” a titan whose contributions to the restoration world car parts, racing, and mentorship will be deeply missed and long remembered.
A black and white portrait of Phil Reilly, encapsulating his profound dedication and unmatched expertise as an engine builder and restorer within the restoration world car parts industry.
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