HCS is the future for vintage cars.
When you understand vintage car history,
you can define its future.
We're blessed to work on these unique period cars
which sculpted the car industry to where it is now.
Keeping this legacy alive is what we do.
Defining our future by knowing our past.
Our business
Historic Competition Services is specialised in the restoration, renovation, recreation and preparation of classic cars, Backing this up is our World class car sales department.
We have experience in the preparation of the world’s most exotic and specialized vehicles like race winning pre and post war grand prix cars, endurance rally cars and concourse show cars.
Other than restoration, we also offer a range of top quality services to give your classic car what it needs: engine and transmission upgrades, gearbox design and manufacturing, engine component design and manufacturing including castings in aluminium or cast iron, aluminium bodywork repairs, engine building, servicing, rally and race support, transportation and car sales, etc.
HCS wants to make sure you can enjoy your car experience to the full without having to worry about technical problems. On top of that, our company also aims to be a place where classic car enthusiasts meet and share the passion for the art of engineering, where friends and customers are welcome to join in our great adventure. Doors are always open.
Strong foundation
Julian Messent founded HCS in 2014 and has already more than 35 years of experience in the classic car business.
After finishing high school he took an engineering apprenticeship aiming to become a fully qualified B Tech Engineer. Once out of the classroom and onto the shop floor, he quickly learned from his masters that a degree would never be a substitute for hands on experience. Therefore, he has never stopped learning, studying, reading, experiencing and doing constant research, which became his way of life. Throughout his career he has designed and developed parts for almost every prewar Lagonda. Julian is a world renowned top prewar engine specialist and general prewar Lagonda expert and is widely consulted by collectors from far and near.
Julian has the attitude that you can learn from every thing and every one.
At HCS we regularly have apprentice placements and this is used to help educate the younger generation and feed the passion. as well as for us to learn some humility from our apprentices, and to remind us that there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.
Our aim is to surround ourselves with people who can add experience to our own and enlarge the HCS automotive knowledge base. We have now formed and trained a team of highly experienced engineers and associates who can cover every angle of every dream and make yours come true.
+32 (0)3 353 33 31 info@hcservices.be
Meet the team
Julian Messent
Founder & Engineer
With over 35 years of experience in the prewar sector Julian is a natural problem solver.
Diederick Visser
Sales Manager
The good looks and social media face at HCS.
Diederick is the creative flare behind our sales and advertising.
Be careful when talking to him or he may sell you a car!
Sophie Damen
General Manager
Sophie is very disciplined, highly organized and great fun to work with at the same time. A real bonus for the company.
Otherwise known as "Yes Mum"
Gilbert Verhelst
Mechanic & fabricator
Gilbert has 40+ years of experience in the automotive sector.
He has seen and done it all. Working with Julian since 1994!
A valuable vessel of knowledge to HCS.
Tommy Vavro
Mechanic & fabricator
Richard Williams
Mechanic & fabricator
One of our most experienced mechanics!
His happy place is in the workshop but he isn’t afraid to do his magic at the side of the road too to make sure the car finishes the rally. Richard and Julian have worked together now for over 20 years.
Vladislavs Tjasko
Mechanic & fabricator
'Vlad' is viewed by the older team at HCS as another young gun, but always in a good way! This kind hearted and very talented young man has lots of talent on the lathe and milling machine, he is the "go to" guy if you need something machined.
Thibault Daemen
Mechanic & fabricator
Thibault was a young enthusiastic trainee who acquired a taste for prewar car mechanics during his final year of high school. After his internship, he joined the team as a permanent mechanic.
Massive enthusiasm and an obsessively high degree of care and accuracy are his strengths.
Stephen Vanheste
Mechanic / Certified welder / Stores manager
Stephen has known Julian all of his life and has learned a thing or two. He is even allowed to work on Julians motorbikes.
Vincent Vermeiren
Mechanic & fabricator
Classic cars is in his blood he even drives his 1954 Ford Prefect back and forth to work
A dedicated and very valuable team member.
Jasper Watson
Mechanic & fabricator
Jasper the most passionate person you have ever met. Fabulous to work with.
Very knowledgeable and always has his head in a technical book to increase his already impressive database. It's kept in a box under all that hair!
HCS is for
the curious,
the determined,
the classic lovers and the racers.
At HCS we bring quality work.
Connecting to our customers enables us to get the right insights of their car.
We solve problems only a handful of people in the world can solve, creating a tangible impact on our customer's life.
We provide our customers with lasting memories, unforgettable experiences and a binding friendship built from trust.
