Platonic Solid
Founding Member
The lack of response from Drake1 (Joe Johnston) tells me all I need to know.
As previously requested: "Please post a picture of your current 71-73 emblem for comparison."Really? What sort of additional response would make you happy?
So becasue nobody else makes the parts, they can justify it by making crap that doesnt last and think "hey, were the only one that makes it, who else are they gonna buy from". That in no form is a excuse.Yeah, I've certainly gotten a few "bloopers" that really pi$$ed me off at the time, but a lot of this stuff is simply not available any other way. If these companies can't turn a profit, while keeping the prices low enough for people to actually buy the stuff, they will close their doors and we will have absolutely NOTHINGJust My $.02,
Gene
As previously requested: "Please post a picture of your current 71-73 emblem for comparison."
I don't need it as I purchased several NOS off eBay long ago. As far as bending it to suit your preference:That IS their current item. If you really need the emblem, buy the darn thing, and bend it to proper shape. That's how it ended up wrong, looks to me like the original part that was used to make the thing had been dropped. I looked at one last week, after this came up, and with it still in the package, I pressed it with my thumb, and about 1/4 of the improper bend went away, and I wasn't even trying. Or you can wait a few months, while they make a new die.
I saw two NOS Mustang fender scripts on ebay. The auction ended yesterday. They sold for $175.00 plus shipping. Considering the repops sell for a suggested retail of $9.95 each, how bad do you want perfection?
I don't need it as I purchased several NOS off eBay long ago. As far as bending it to suit your preference:
A. If you break it, you now own a classic "Mustan" emblem.
B. If you succeed in bending it without breaking it (which I seriously doubt), I bet the pin sticking out the back of the "G" won't line up with the fender holes anymore.
It’s ridiculous to think that we should all be grateful that someone is making repro parts, regardless of quality. This is not a poor man’s hobby, so make it right or don’t make it at all.
I'm sure they've made plenty of profit on them in the past 5+ years. Who said they're going to eat anything? They'll just deplete old stock then introduce new stock (if they actually fix it). Yes, I've priced die cast tooling many many times. Rough off-the-top-of-my-head estimate: I could get 1,000 of these made for about $3,000 (yes, that includes tooling). This is a very simple, small part....eating all the defective emblems in their and their dealers' stock, not to mention returns, PLUS they have to shell out thousands to have a new die made. You ever priced such tooling? It ain't pretty. I'd be surprised if they make a dime on this emblem anytime in the next five years.
mustangmutt,
So, what's the deal with the pic in your avatar? I can't see all that well, but looks like the gauge cluster is on the right. Is that a pic of a British/Aussie car or did you just reverse the pic to mess with us?
????,
Gene
"Don't make YOUR problem, my problem." This is the problem here. Losing money and having to re-do things is part of R&D and owning a business. That's why you take the time to make sure it's done right the first time. I can give you a list of popular companies I don't deal with for that very reason. When your problems become mine, that is the last time we do business. I had a set of $500 coil overs here for years that were worthless because the company that sold them to me in a kit, didn't R&D their kit correctly. The ass end of the car bounced like it had blown shocks. Why I had to pay for a different set when they didn't know what the car needed from the get go is BEYOND me. Another part I ate that was someone elses problem. People feeling "lucky" we have parts for us and being so apathetic as to the quality is why it will never change with some companies.Drakes' punishment here will be a black eye in PR, eating all the defective emblems in their and their dealers' stock, not to mention returns, PLUS they have to shell out thousands to have a new die made. You ever priced such tooling? It ain't pretty. I'd be surprised if they make a dime on this emblem anytime in the next five years.
I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I took a perfectly good all American '67 Fastback and converted it into a Right hand drive Eleanor for a Customer in South Africa.
Yes, I've priced die cast tooling many many times. Rough off-the-top-of-my-head estimate: I could get 1,000 of these made for about $3,000 (yes, that includes tooling). This is a very simple, small part.
Then you're a fool if you don't do it. If this part is so easy, the field is wide open, since Drake doesn't have it. Seriously. Everybody complains there isn't enough competition in Mustang parts. You could help solve that.
I'd be ashamed too. Just kidding. Serieously though, I just don't get the whole Eleanor clone thing.