I think I still have some of the first few years of catalogs stashed in boxes. I too LOVE leafing through the catalog. VCM's is also one of the nicest catalogs out there and worth the wait, IMHO.
I have to say though, what made me a customer was the service. In 1986 my wife wanted to buy me a bunch of parts for Christmas. Upon opening them, everything was correct. She then told me about her conversation when she phoned in the order. My wife is NOT a car person. As such she described parts in terms such as "you know, the thingy ma jig that you open the door with inside". Referring to an inside door handle. Even after receiving descriptions like this the sales person she dealt with was patient and got EVERYTHING 100% correct. That spoke volumes to me about service. Even through all these years that level of service has never been anything less. KUDOS Brant to you, your family and staff!
BTW, those door handles? They were also NOS Ford!