quote:
Originally posted by HKTG Parts Recovery
I'm not going down this road with you again. I support the close as possible authentic restoration of the car. Whether the replacement reproduction part is made in Australia or not isnt as important as the quality and accuracy of the part. I as much as anyone would ultimately prefer to restore these cars with all Australian genuine parts or reproduction parts. In todays economic climate it just aint going to happen. I have to drive around with a genuine Holden PF10 oil filter on my 186 that says "Made in China" in big red letters under the Lion logo. How do you think that makes me feel? I hate the fact but what are my options if I choose to use a 41 year old Holden as a daily drive car? There have been many spot on reproductions made available in the past few years and they are made in Australia. First one that comes to mind is the HK GTS bootstrip. I bought some of those coupe/Brougham courtesy lights off ebay the other day. They are friggin perfect. Complete set with lenses for $49! That makes any secondhand one almost worthless (I dont know if they are made in Australia). As you have probably seen I am again making available the indicator switch for HK HT HG LC models. I found a product, not made in Australia and superior to the previous unit I was selling. As long as the quality is right and it fits and functions properly, I dont really think the consumer cares at the end of the day. Making sure their horn and indicators function properly on their 40 year old car is of more importance to them. I know a large reproduction parts supplier (no names) wanted to try use a cheap version of the switch made in India that would cost them $8 each. It cant be done beause they need modifying and they are of an inferior quality. What do you do Dave? Get some Loctite and glue up the cracks on a 40 year old one? Pay $250+ for a NOS one off ebay? Unecessary.
In the past 6 months I have been working closely with a leading muscle car restorer here in Adelaide. HKTG Holdens ratio of their customers is 7 to 1. I have been having a lot of input into these models. I have also learned more about labour costs and the process, time and preparation involved in restoring the bodies/panels. Most, I say most, not all, GTS or standard guards available are in poor condition. A pefect or rust free one is a prized piece. But where is the logic in charging a customer the hours and cost of repairs to a 40 year old guard when there is a 98% accurate replacement available for less? Dave you are a panel beater. I'm not. You know how long it takes to repair panels starting from scratch. The thing is Dave is that a few years down the track there will be 10, 20 Monaros all lined in a row awaiting judging at a Nationals event, all with replacement guards and no-one will even know.
You can pick an 'alternative' whether it be poorly done or 'close enough'. You shouldnt be able to pick a reproduction.
blaa blaa blaahh
NOS rules aye (i guess thats why you hoarding soo much of it thats nott 4 sale??????) juss selln off ya crap to make quick buckkk
nah. yor juss takn th easy way out.(its just not about money money money!! wel not to me anyway) i guess because you're only reasonably new to the game (prob 5 or at most 10yrs in the field) you dont have any stock!! yor indicator assys are wrong wrong wrong pastal coloured wiring that juss dont pass th test aye.?
(pss. you even butchered every original one in wreckers throughout SA(didnt bother to see if they were good as is ) an chopped ends off good working originals, to fit on yor chinese examples, to make a quick buckk!!!!!!!!(thats why i wouldnt sell you any original plugs i had!!!!)
i have heaps of original column indicator assys without cracks! for 95 bux. to suit both hk column auto (extra wire for column indicator) & std ones.
courtesty lights? i have heaps of originals from broughams that dont even need rechroming!!!! with original lenses
heap of repairable guards for 200 - 300 bux that require 200 - 300 bux to repair an will always fit propperly around indicators & h/light surrounds as per original without modifying at all!!
i havnt heard anything concrete to justify replacement guards are anywhere near 98% (maybe 70%)
im sure th gurus will pick repro guards without too much trouble an caaaan emm easily
shouldnt? or wont???
i will pick any repro panel (ie gts guard that only needs flute splits welded properly, doctoring around h/light & also indicator opening to line up properly with stone tray no probs .!
besto luck simon.. may th lord be orn yor side
regards DD
www.bellarineclassicautos.com.au is here for th loonng term