Bosch Classic safeguards the future of historic vehicles with spare parts and expertise

Karlsruhe, Germany – For many years, Bosch Classic has been helping the owners of classic cars of all ages keep their vehicles roadworthy and in the best possible condition. Since the earliest days of the automobile, Robert Bosch GmbH has been responsible for decisive technical developments. That’s why this Bosch unit for classic cars has devoted itself to preserving the historic legacy both of the automobile and of the company. In this spirit, Bosch Classic provides the owners of new and old classic cars with practical tips and technical expertise. Fans of classic cars can also find a wealth of information online at www.bosch-classic.com, including a vehicle and product search function featuring a comprehensive collection of technical documentation.

Possibly the most challenging aspect of owning a vehicle that’s at least 30 years old is sourcing spare parts. When it comes to parts for which demand is particularly high and the manufacturing tools and plans are still available, Bosch reproduces authentic new ones. Reverse engineering is another strategy for ensuring a long-term supply of spare parts. This involves giving parts their historic appearance, but replacing their inner workings with the latest technology. One example is the alternator governor, an electronic governor that looks exactly the same as its historic counterpart but enjoys the advantages of modern technology on the inside. In addition, the Bosch eXchange program for spare parts and the option of remanufacturing and repairing electronic components and control units stand as valuable alternatives that safeguard the future of historic vehicles.

Reproducing authentic wheel-speed sensors for ABS systems

One recent example of how Bosch is reproducing authentic spare parts is the wheel-speed sensors that are crucial for the function of the Bosch ABS system, developed in 1978. With these sensors no longer available for many vehicles built between 1992 and 1997, and with no more sensors as spare parts for the first ABS generation, Bosch Classic decided to remanufacture wheel-speed sensors for the first six generations of ABS. This would guarantee availability of spare parts for these key components.

Bosch Classic’s repair and maintenance service can also repair a wide range of parts and devices from classic cars of all ages. Bosch workshops usually repair faulty or worn parts using original tools and testing equipment. On request, parts can be fully reconditioned through the 1:1 REMAN service. This not only rectifies faults, but also replaces all components that have worn out with age. At present, the 1:1 REMAN service repairs and overhauls fuel distributors, air-flow sensors, warm-up valves, pressure sensors, inlet-manifold air-pressure sensors, and various control units. This Bosch Classic offer is available both to Bosch Classic Service workshops and to other workshops that cater to the owners of historic vehicles. The order process was recently improved and completely digitalized, meaning customers now benefit from shorter delivery times and greater transparency regarding repair orders. They can easily book the Bosch Classic repair and maintenance service online at bosch-repair-service.com.

International growth in the network of Bosch Classic Service workshops

In recent years, Bosch Classic has worked with experienced Bosch Car Service workshops to build up a network for the service and repair of new and old classic cars. Today, almost 100 workshops in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France carry the name “Classic Service” to signal that they have the expertise, the specially trained and experienced workforce, and the necessary tools and equipment to provide services for historic vehicles. The network of Classic Service workshops is gradually growing internationally. At the end of 2023, T.W. Diesel in Witbank, South Africa, became the first Bosch Service in Africa to achieve Classic Service certification. Founded in 1981, T.W. Diesel is regarded as the best Bosch Service workshop in Africa. In April 2024, Bosch Classic presented the concept at a trade fair near Tokyo. A total of 34 workshops there have already been certified for Classic Service, with additional workshops in the pipeline. To become certified, the workshops have to satisfy a long list of requirements. They must also regularly maintain and repair classic cars. With their equipment and the outstanding manual skills of their mechanics, Bosch Classic Service workshops offer services in the areas of automotive electrics, engine management, injection systems, brakes, carburetor repair, and vehicle restoration.

To help the owners of historic vehicles find specific information on individual spare parts, Bosch Classic created a vehicle and product search function. At bosch-classic.com, fans of classic cars can now search by brand, vehicle type, model, or engine identification. To find a Bosch product, they can search by article number, type formula, trade name, or product name. The new search function returns results in the form of detailed product information such as technical characteristics, images, and lists of spare parts. Now that additional historic documents from the archive have been made available online as PDFs, the search function can also return results from equipment lists for vehicles built before 1945.

Training for classic car fans on historic Bosch systems

For owners of new and old classic cars who are technology buffs and want to find out more about how their vehicles work and about historic Bosch components, and for automotive workshop mechanics who would like to refresh their knowledge, Bosch Classic offers technical training courses at various Bosch Classic Service workshops. At these one-day events for a maximum of 14 participants, experienced mechanics share their practical knowledge of repairing Bosch systems that are more than 20 years old. Dates and details about how to register can be found on the bosch-classic.com site along with information on which Bosch Classic Service workshops are hosting courses.