71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST

Posted By: gtx6970

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/21/08 01:15 PM

Mike,
Well said. I can fully understand the mood and reasonings, especially with todays economy.(believe me I know all to well)
But, I wish you the best of luck in what ever course of direction you decide to persue.

Posted By: Iceman01

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/21/08 04:56 PM

Quote:

Mike,
Well said. I can fully understand the mood and reasonings, especially with todays economy.(believe me I know all to well)
But, I wish you the best of luck in what ever course of direction you decide to persue.

Posted By: 2fast4yourBrain

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/21/08 09:17 PM

I don't understand what '70 Cuda owners are sitting on their hands for.

Heck, restoring a '70 CHallenger grille and bezels costs about the same as a complete new '70 'cuda grille setup!

Mike @Alltrim does awesome work, but it wasn't cheap by any means.

It seems like the '71 'Cuda grille would be a bit cheaper to make b/c of its one piece design. Grilles, bezels, chrome trim surrounds can be had elsewhere. But the big one piece plastic part....that is what's sorely needed.

Make a '71 grille for $750 and you'll have a ton of people just buying them for spares or resale.

Posted By: tbone

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 04:32 AM

Quote:

Mike,

Forget the 71 grilles - MAKE THE DOOR PANELS INSTEAD!!!

I too would be interested in door panels.

As far as the 71 grill I do not need ine as my original is good, but I sure would like to know quality replacements were available being that I like to put miles on my car. Like others said your target price makes it almost worth it to buy a spare, but honestly I could not pull the trigger on that purchase at this time. I like HemiChallengers suggestion of taking pre-orders. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 05:22 AM

Quote:

I have a hard time beleiving you can't come out ahead by discounting and offing the molded grilles instead of trying to recoup whatever money is in the regrind.

That is what I was thinking when I read the first post.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 05:33 AM

I read the big post, I don't understand anything better after that.

If you have too much inventory, lower the price. That is basic as it gets.

If 10% doesn't do it, go lower. Really, you just need to decide how much you need and price it that way. You will be WAY ahead of grinding them up and putting more money in the hole.

Nothing else really to say.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 06:14 AM

Quote:

Because the public isn�t informed on all the information as it pertains to this specific part, it sounds like people are developing unwarranted opinions without having all the facts.

Best sentence in the entire thread!

Posted By: rftroy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 06:21 AM

Quote:

What's there to explain? The 70 grilles that aren't painted and detailed yet are going to be ground up and used to make other ABS plastic parts.

Does this mean the AAR grills are no longer available? The decision has been made to scrap?

Bob

Posted By: larry4406

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 01:19 PM

My original 71 grille is warped. If i can't straighten it, then I will be needing one. I also need pieces of the perimeter chrome - have heard they are repo'd but have not seen them.

Posted By: HEMICUDA

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 06:39 PM

Quote:

My original 71 grille is warped. If i can't straighten it, then I will be needing one. I also need pieces of the perimeter chrome - have heard they are repo'd but have not seen them.

All the 71 cuda grille trim is finished.

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 07:01 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Because the public isn�t informed on all the information as it pertains to this specific part, it sounds like people are developing unwarranted opinions without having all the facts.

Best sentence in the entire thread!

There's two guys with something in common...

Thing is, at first it sounded like the repro cuda grille project was a bust because no one was buying them. Then you made an off handed comment about grinding them up that I think got taken too literal (typical with the internet).

But then you said the 70 grille project success was more complex than just raw sales. The business to business issues are very understandably private. If you can't comment on all the factors, don't go down that road. You'll always get unwarrented opinions.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 07:33 PM

Quote:

If you can't comment on all the factors, don't go down that road. You'll always get unwarrented opinions.

I don't think that Mike started the thread to talk about the success or demise of the 1970 grills. If you look at this thread it pertains to the 1971 grill and it's possibilities. The comment "don't go down that road" might better be directed to whoever side tracked the topic.

**"71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST

Since the resin grille made be Premier Plastic is no longer available, I am wondering if the market would bare the $799 it would take to get a grey ABS plastic one like the original.

The investment is extremely high and I really don't want to be in the same situation we are currently in with the 70 Cuda grille assembly we made.

I'm not sold on the project and wanted to see if the interest is there for a correctly made piece that won't warp and melt like a resin piece.

Michael C. Ross - Owner
B/E & A Restoration Parts, Inc.
www.beaparts.com
330-725-3990"**

Posted By: 6bblgt

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 07:40 PM

I think Mike side tracked his own post by bringing up "the same situation we are currently in with the 70 Cuda grille assembly".
It leads to the question ... What situation? Now we know for better or worse.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 07:48 PM

I know....I know....it's always more interesting to watch a train crash and burn than it is to simply watch it roll effortlessly down the track.

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 08:34 PM

Quote:

I think Mike side tracked his own post by bringing up "the same situation we are currently in with the 70 Cuda grille assembly".
It leads to the question ... What situation? Now we know for better or worse.

Yep. And considering to scrap a different product that the public feels positive toward side tracks things also.

Quote:

I know....I know....it's always more interesting to watch a train crash and burn than it is to simply watch it roll effortlessly down the track.

If you're driving that train and dangers ahead (asking the public for an opinion) don't keep throwing coal on the fire.

Just keep it to bare numbers, comparasions, simple and objective. Maybe something like...

-Do you think the market will buy (1)more, (2)less, or (3) the same 71 Cuda grilles priced at $799 compared to 70 grilles?
-And reasons to back up your choice?

-Who is considering buying a 71 Cuda grille for $799 in the same quality as the BEA 70 grilles within the NEXT YEAR? And why?

-Who is considering buying a 71 Cuda grille some point in the future? And why?

I assume Mike has actual data on units of 70 Cuda grilles sold. That's actual data. We the public have no idea of the units allready sold. But I think we can comment on realative demand of a similar product at a given price.

Let's give Mike the best information we can. It's only in our best interests (except for someone sitting on a bunch of used and NOS 71 Cuda grilles).

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 09:36 PM

Quote:

Yep. And considering to scrap a different product that the public feels positive toward side tracks thing also.If you're driving that train and dangers ahead (asking the public for an opinion) don't keep throwing coal on the fire.

Just keep it to bare numbers, comparasions, simple and objective.

All of the speculation in the world can never overturn the reality of a completed outcome. I speak to Mike on a daily basis and we compare stories regarding the development and marketability of many new products. Plain and simple, Mike is the ONLY person qualified top give a factual synopsis concerning his product lines and what he has encountered while developing them. It is insulting to bombard him with hypotheticals that he has probably deliberated and thought about in his sleep. The topic was never about the pitfalls of the 70 grill. He originally asked about the demand for 1971 grills. Marketing research 101! If the market was so promising for the 70 items, common sense would tell us that he wouldn�t be considering destroying them. I hope Mike is able to accumulate the data he originally sought out concerning the demand for 1971 grills. I doubt that rehashing the pain that was involved with the 70 grills has much of an impact on whether there is a viable market for 1971 Cuda or Duster grills. It is a tough thing trying to determine the "actual" demand for a product in the restoration market. When ideas are initially presented as a plan or concept, everyone is enthusiastic and says, �I�ll take one !� When the time, effort and money is spent to bring these products to market, it is funny how the "actual" purchases never parallel with the commitments that were originally expressed. That is the manufacturers reality and risk!

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 10:32 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Yep. And considering to scrap a different product that the public feels positive toward side tracks thing also.If you're driving that train and dangers ahead (asking the public for an opinion) don't keep throwing coal on the fire.

Just keep it to bare numbers, comparasions, simple and objective.

All of the speculation in the world can never overturn the reality of a completed outcome. I speak to Mike on a daily basis and we compare stories regarding the development and marketability of many new products. Plain and simple, Mike is the ONLY person qualified top give a factual synopsis concerning his product lines and what he has encountered while developing them. It is insulting to bombard him with hypotheticals that he has probably deliberated and thought about in his sleep. The topic was never about the pitfalls of the 70 grill. He originally asked about the demand for 1971 grills. Marketing research 101! If the market was so promising for the 70 items, common sense would tell us that he wouldn�t be considering destroying them. I hope Mike is able to accumulate the data he originally sought out concerning the demand for 1971 grills. I doubt that rehashing the pain that was involved with the 70 grills has much of an impact on whether there is a viable market for 1971 Cuda or Duster grills. It is a tough thing trying to determine the "actual" demand for a product in the restoration market. When ideas are initially presented as a plan or concept, everyone is enthusiastic and says, �I�ll take one !� When the time, effort and money is spent to bring these products to market, it is funny how the "actual" purchases never parallel with the commitments that were originally expressed. That is the manufacturers reality and risk!

Did I say something to bombard him with hypotheticals? Am I speculating?

Quite the opposite was my intention.

I asked to keep the questions simple with some qualifications to find and understand real potentional buyers. And the company asking the question needs to stay focused and not bring up other subjects. Marketing Research 101.

I think the original question was a little too open ended and doesn't sort out real buyers. Would you agree?

IMHO, there's a big difference between, "I like to have a spare grille" and "My grille is in a 1000 pieces and my car is in the paint booth" Would you agree?

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 11:26 PM

Quote:

And the company asking the question needs to stay focused and not bring up other subjects.

Who are you directing that statement to? Mike Ross? Go back and review the facts/posts. He didn't stray from his subject. He was simply kind enough to respond to a member who deviated from the original subject at hand. I just got off the phone with Mike a few minuets ago. He didn't seem to feel my comment was unjustified. He even thanked me for the observation.
This is his post, his product and his opinion with regards to this subject matter. I simply choose to let him think and talk for himself.

Posted By: Mr T2U

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/22/08 11:38 PM

back to the subject of the original post.

i have 5 broken 71 grilles, don't pm me because they aren't for sale. if i could purchase a quality 71 grille for around $800 i would be interested in one. it may take some time to raise the cash but i would buy one.

Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 12:50 AM

Quote:

Quote:

And the company asking the question needs to stay focused and not bring up other subjects.

Who are you directing that statement to? Mike Ross? Go back and review the facts/posts. He didn't stray from his subject. He was simply kind enough to respond to a member who deviated from the original subject at hand. I just got off the phone with Mike a few minuets ago. He didn't seem to feel my comment was unjustified. He even thanked me for the observation.
This is his post, his product and his opinion with regards to this subject matter. I simply choose to let him think and talk for himself.

I have agreed with you it got off topic. But I just disagee that the replied posters are all 100% to blame for that.

Look at what 6bblgt wrote above. I'm not the only one that noticed it. The very first post mentioned a "situation" that was not relevent to checking market interest of a 71 Cuda grill. And Mike 1st mentioned scrapping another product (not 71 Cuda grill). Those ARE facts.

Lesson learned: A poster has to use a little insight and know that certain comments are going to get off topic replies. You gotta think ahead a little. There are lot of valuable/informative posts/topics on Web Boards that loose their steam that could be obviously avoided.

What's done is done. I have no ill will over this

I'm nit picking the details over something I see in this thread and many others. This is just getting dramatic for no reason.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 01:23 AM

I understand your point Steve and didn't intend for things to come across in a negative reference. I still owe you a couple of pictures in another thread on the details concerning the rear package trays on the A body cars. (Sorry I didn't have them sooner.) I will post those for you sometime early next week. Thanks!!

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 06:46 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Yep. And considering to scrap a different product that the public feels positive toward side tracks thing also.If you're driving that train and dangers ahead (asking the public for an opinion) don't keep throwing coal on the fire.

Just keep it to bare numbers, comparasions, simple and objective.

All of the speculation in the world can never overturn the reality of a completed outcome. I speak to Mike on a daily basis and we compare stories regarding the development and marketability of many new products. Plain and simple, Mike is the ONLY person qualified top give a factual synopsis concerning his product lines and what he has encountered while developing them. It is insulting to bombard him with hypotheticals that he has probably deliberated and thought about in his sleep. The topic was never about the pitfalls of the 70 grill. He originally asked about the demand for 1971 grills. Marketing research 101! If the market was so promising for the 70 items, common sense would tell us that he wouldn�t be considering destroying them. I hope Mike is able to accumulate the data he originally sought out concerning the demand for 1971 grills. I doubt that rehashing the pain that was involved with the 70 grills has much of an impact on whether there is a viable market for 1971 Cuda or Duster grills. It is a tough thing trying to determine the "actual" demand for a product in the restoration market. When ideas are initially presented as a plan or concept, everyone is enthusiastic and says, �I�ll take one !� When the time, effort and money is spent to bring these products to market, it is funny how the "actual" purchases never parallel with the commitments that were originally expressed. That is the manufacturers reality and risk!

OK, if you and him are so smart put together, why get on here and ask opinions? Just put your two heads together and tell us what we need or what we need to know.

Have either of you two considered the volume of 71 cars built versus 70?

Of course the rest of us are just playing catch up so we likely wouldn't have covered that base

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 07:09 AM

Quote:

OK, if you and him are so smart put together, why get on here and ask opinions?

Woe...time out friend. I know I am not "so smart" which is why I have offered absolutely no opinion on the subject whatsoever. You must have me confused with someone else's post that you read somewhere within this thread. Since I don't have a �need� or a "clue" concerning the market for a 71 grill, I didn't even place a vote on the matter. I thought that Mike was simply asking about the possible interest/demand for the 71 grills, not opinions on how to run his business. Maybe I am confused about the subject heading for this thread.

Posted By: IMGTX

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 07:37 AM

I went through the parts you have inventoried on your web site and was impressed. There are a lot of detailed and dificult to repo parts.

I noticed you do not list some of the grill parts individually.

I am not beefing with you but why does nobody sell parts seperate. I need 1 turn signal lens for a 70 Barracuda, I also need 1 turn signal lens for a 74. Rather than buy 2 pair of lenses and leave the extra ones on the shelf I find myself looking for Ebay fodder or luck out at a swap meet instead. I'm not picking on you because everyone seems to sell pairs of items like that instead of individually but many of us don't need both parts of the pair, just one.

Besides when it comes to a complete high dollar grill I feel like I could better afford buying a piece at a time rather than all at once. I know it isn't the business plan that would save a dying company but it has to help sales somewhat.

Posted By: jkwedge540

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 04:03 PM

Is anyone making a 69 charger grill or have plans to do one.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 05:43 PM

Quote:

Quote:

OK, if you and him are so smart put together, why get on here and ask opinions?

Woe...time out friend. I know I am not "so smart" which is why I have offered absolutely no opinion on the subject whatsoever. You must have me confused with someone else's post that you read somewhere within this thread. Since I don't have a �need� or a "clue" concerning the market for a 71 grill, I didn't even place a vote on the matter. I thought that Mike was simply asking about the possible interest/demand for the 71 grills, not opinions on how to run his business. Maybe I am confused about the subject heading for this thread.

"Plain and simple, Mike is the ONLY person qualified top give a factual synopsis concerning his product lines and what he has encountered while developing them."

"I just got off the ohone with Mike...he agreed with my comments"

Don't back away now. You are sticking up for your buddy, I get that. Just don't lecture the rest of us when he comes on here for advise, then complains when it isn't what he thought it should be.

And for the millionth time in this thread- it makes ZERO business sense to throw away perfectly good inventory when it could be marked down and sold.
Especially since he wants to make a similar product to replace it on the shelf.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 06:03 PM

Quote:

Just don't lecture the rest of us when he comes on here for advise

He didn't ask for advise about how to run his business. He was taking a poll on the demand/interest for 71 grills. Didn't you understand his first post that consisted of those two very simple choices? "YES or "NO" were the responses he asked for.

Quote:

it makes ZERO business sense to throw away perfectly good inventory when it could be marked down and sold.

You definitely should not throw away whatever inventory you have if that is what you choose to do with it. I agree 100% on that point.

Just out of curiosity, what business are you involved in that has you considering throwing away the "inventory" that you mentioned?

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 07:53 PM

I noticed you do not list some of the grill parts individually.

I am not beefing with you but why does nobody sell parts seperate. I need 1 turn signal lens for a 70 Barracuda, I also need 1 turn signal lens for a 74.

I'm Sorry, but I do understand the need, sometimes for individual pcs,.....I get those requests "ocassionialy".......but regarding lenses, wouldn't you want a matching set, in regards to texture, tint, clarity, etc?.....what happens when a "vendor" decides to help you out and breaks up a set, and now it dosen't quite match up to the other, or makes your original pale in comparison,......then your on the phone/net looking for it's "mate"?.....I could understand a fender, or grille pc that gets painted, or plated, etc......but lenses?

Posted By: IMGTX

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/23/08 09:53 PM

Quote:

I noticed you do not list some of the grill parts individually.

I am not beefing with you but why does nobody sell parts seperate. I need 1 turn signal lens for a 70 Barracuda, I also need 1 turn signal lens for a 74.

I see your point. The lenses were just an example but it can be applied across the board. Chrome trim, weather striping, tape stripe kits, etc. Some items even require paint before install like door hinges and are usually sold only in sets.

Often only one part gets damaged from accidents or ordinary use and needs replacing. In my case I have daily drivers and if they are in an accident like the 74 turn signal lens I am not lookng for perfect matches but a replacement for a part damaged in an accident. I've seen people have to buy an entire set of weatherstripping because one part got damaged while installing it.

There are a lot of us who like to drive them every day if we can. The only reason I don't drive my 70 every day is because if somebody backs into it in a parking lot I can't replace just the damaged parts of the grill. I have to replace the whole grill or search for months to get used replacement parts.

I am not bashing anybodies business model. It apparently works because nobody sells seperate sets but what if that business model is wrong and everyone is blindly following it? I feel if you only cater to one part of the hobby (those who buy complete sets) you are loosing money that could be made from the others in the hobby. Some people buy a part at a time and save them up as they build a car. Others drive them and don't need to spend $1,600 in parts to repair $200 worth of damage.

Maybe I'm wrong but I see a need and nobody is filling it, where is capitalizm when you need it.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 05:01 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Just don't lecture the rest of us when he comes on here for advise

He didn't ask for advise about how to run his business. He was taking a poll on the demand/interest for 71 grills. Didn't you understand his first post that consisted of those two very simple choices? "YES or "NO" were the responses he asked for.

Quote:

it makes ZERO business sense to throw away perfectly good inventory when it could be marked down and sold.

You definitely should not throw away whatever inventory you have if that is what you choose to do with it. I agree 100% on that point. Just out of curiosity, what business are you involved in that has you considering throwing away the "inventory" that you mentioned?

Since you haven't kept up, I'll tell you that your buddy is the one that me and several others have questioned on why he would throw out/destroy perfectly good grills. He said that, it has been pointed out, and here you are asking me where I saw it at.

Please try and keep up

Your buddy doesn't need our advise according to you, yet he came on here and asked.

Posted By: hemi_harvester

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 05:23 AM

Well any way for whatever its worth

I'm glad you are making the stuff you are and I hope to hand over a pile of money to you soon..

BTW one more vote for the Sharktooth grill...

Posted By: MLR426

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 02:15 PM

Mike,

It was said before and everyone knows that more
70 cudas were built than 71 cudas. I would guess the market would bare half the amount or less of 71 grilles than 70 grilles you have sold. As with all parts that are reproduced everyone notices that original parts show up at swap meets shortly before or after the reproduced part is released for sale. If you were to announce the reproduction 71 cuda grille coming soon we all would notice the influx of original grilles for sale on this board as well as e-bay which would drive the prices down to reality. This also would cut into the reproduction sales..This happened when Premier started making the grille but then quickly stopped because of the poor quality being produced. The same would happen if the 71 shark tooth grille were reproduced. With the market in it's current state of dazed and confused I would lean toward the Shark Tooth grille because of the number of A Bodies the grille would fit. I
too would like to see the 71 built but don't see it as a profittable venture.

logan426

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 05:26 PM

Quote:

Your buddy doesn't need our advise according to you, yet he came on here and asked.

Your ability to read between the lines is without equal! I have looked high and low throughout this thread trying to find where he asked for advice (as you keep claiming) on what to do with the 70 grills. I can only find where he �polled� for interest in 71 style grills and asked someone a rhetorical question of what they thought the price should be for a 70 grill. I can�t seem to locate anything where he asked what he should do with left over inventory items. Would you mind humoring my obvious oversight, by referencing the post(s) where he asked advice on what he should do with the 70 grills? Substantiating comments with facts does wonders for someone�s credibility.

**I would hope that Mike Ross is considered a "buddy" to everyone in this hobby. His efforts are beneficial to all who are involved. Thanks Mike!**

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 06:31 PM

Look, I do my hobby for fun. When he comes on here and asks about what to make, he got replies. Then he states that he is going to destroy his parts.

You chipped in with the "he knows more than anybody" line. Fine, then don't go asking a crowd what to do. Do your own thing.

Then you want to pick at me. Go ahead, you already have proven you don't want to read and understand. You can be brought to the waters edge, but you alone must decide to drink.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 06:33 PM

Quote:

Quote:

"The investment is extremely high and I really don't want to be in the same situation we are currently in with the 70 Cuda grille assembly we made."

Mike can you explain this statement further No bad news I hope

I'd buy a 71 grill or two

What's there to explain? The 70 grilles that aren't painted and detailed yet are going to be ground up and used to make other ABS plastic parts.

Since you can't seem to find it, here you go.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 06:34 PM

Quote:

I have a hard time beleiving you can't come out ahead by discounting and offing the molded grilles instead of trying to recoup whatever money is in the regrind.

Here is one of the smart, read between the lines people.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 06:34 PM

Quote:

"I have a hard time beleiving you can't come out ahead by discounting and offing the molded grilles instead of trying to recoup whatever money is in the regrind. "

Yeah no kidding. Sounds like "I'm going to crush this car if it doesn't sell" Epay tactics.

Sheldon

Another

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 06:35 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I have a hard time beleiving you can't come out ahead by discounting and offing the molded grilles instead of trying to recoup whatever money is in the regrind.

This is spoken like a true plastics man

Because as you (and I) both know, the market price for regrind ABS is about $.50 lb for (clean) regrind flake, and if it's been painted it's useless/worthless.

Mike, make the Shark tooth grille, you'll be able to make a profit, plus they are smaller, simpler, fit several different year cars, (even if not original guys will use them) and are MUCH easier to ship safely.

Yet another.

I could go on but hopefully you will open your eyes this time. Again it is up to you and not anybody else.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 07:08 PM

Don't back track and try to spin your original point! You said that MIKE ROSS came on here asking for advice. I knew you wouldn't find one post where MIKE ROSS asked for advice! You found a bunch of other people asking questions and interjecting THEIR opinions. That was my original point!!! Using questions and quotes from other people can hardly be used to support your incorrect statement that MIKE ROSS was asking for advice. Remember these:

(YOUR ORIGINAL QUOTES)

"OK, if you and him are so smart put together, why get on here and ask opinions?"

"Just don't lecture the rest of us when he comes on here for advise"

"yet he came on here and asked."

So back to the original point, show one post where Mike asked for anyone's opinion as to what he should do with his 1970 grill inventory.

(You were just kidding trying to use those other people's comments as proof for something Mike said......right?)

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 07:22 PM

I'm not going to beat my head against a wall here.

He came, he asked, he got what he wanted. He commented, several of us commented back.

I can tell you aren't a business man.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 07:36 PM

Quote:

I'm not going to beat my head against a wall here.

I don't blame you. The additional damage could prove to be irreversible.

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/24/08 08:06 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I'm not going to beat my head against a wall here.

I don't blame you. The additional damage could prove to be irreversible.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 12:02 AM

ECS,

Explain to the rest of us why you think that he should destroy those parts?

This should be good.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 04:03 AM

Quote:

Explain to the rest of us why you think that he should destroy those parts?

???

You seem to have a problem reading subject matter into things that are not there. Where did I ever say (or think) that Mike should destroy his parts? I live by the motto: Never criticize (second guess) another person until you walk a mile in their shoes. As I plainly stated in an earlier post, �Hey Mike, I am sure you have visited every nook and cranny in an attempt to figure out the direction you need to take in order for this scenario to work out. It is easy to second guess a situation looking from the outside in but I know that when you evaluate all the numbers and consider the facts regarding your product venture, you will come up with a viable solution.�

You might want to follow your own advice and �Please try and keep up�. The words in the posts are quite clear if you would simply stop trying to skew things to promote your opinion.

(Say hello to CMG)

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 04:19 AM

Quote:

Quote:

If you can't comment on all the factors, don't go down that road. You'll always get unwarrented opinions.

I don't think that Mike started the thread to talk about the success or demise of the 1970 grills. If you look at this thread it pertains to the 1971 grill and it's possibilities. The comment "don't go down that road" might better be directed to whoever side tracked the topic.

That is where you started in on people that don't agree with you. As he said, Mike took it down that road himself, he knew he would get comments so he should have let that dog lay there. He brought it up, that HAS to be clear at this point.

Since you agree that grinding up perfectly good parts makes no sense, why are you so set on sparing with people that hold that same view?

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 04:37 AM

Quote:

Since you agree that grinding up perfectly good parts makes no sense, why are you so set on sparing with people that hold that same view?

Are you referring to this statement that I made:

"You definitely should not throw away whatever inventory you have if that is what you choose to do with it. I agree 100% on that point. Just out of curiosity, what business are you involved in that has you considering throwing away the "inventory" that you mentioned?"

It is sad that I have to explain this but I was referring to you. If YOU had inventory that YOU wanted to throw away, have at it! It would be YOURS to do whatever YOU wish. It was just a bit of sarcastic dialog. Unbelievable.

Enjoy the thread.

Posted By: 808CUDA

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 06:48 AM

Back to the original question...

MIKE!!! MAKE THE '71 Cuda GRILLE PLEASE!!!!! For the love of GOD...ahemmm....MOPAR!!!

Posted By: AdamR

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 01:31 PM

The Duster Sharktooth grill will fit 70-72 Dusters, Scamps and Valiants. I bet you sell more of them then Cuda grills.

Posted By: shakerjoe

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 03:19 PM

OK - OK - I'll say it...Pretty Please, with sugar on top ? Make the 71 Cuda Grille ?

Posted By: 62maxwgn

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 03:47 PM

Boy,three pages just to get a yes/no answer! Glad it wasn't a tough question.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 04:45 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Since you agree that grinding up perfectly good parts makes no sense, why are you so set on sparing with people that hold that same view?

Are you referring to this statement that I made:

"You definitely should not throw away whatever inventory you have if that is what you choose to do with it. I agree 100% on that point. Just out of curiosity, what business are you involved in that has you considering throwing away the "inventory" that you mentioned?"

It is sad that I have to explain this but I was referring to you. If YOU had inventory that YOU wanted to throw away, have at it! It would be YOURS to do whatever YOU wish. It was just a bit of sarcastic dialog. Unbelievable.
Enjoy the thread.

No, you took my comment that it makes no sense to throw away inventory when it could be sold and made it what YOU wanted.

I never said I was doing such. I notice when you are up against logic you can't disagree with, you spin it so you can be "right".

Sorry doesn't work here.

When a thread is opened up, comments made by the OP are going to be discussed, doesn't matter if you buddy wanted it to happen or not. That is what happens in a public forum, something that is a new concept for you.

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 05:13 PM

Quote:

I read the big post, I don't understand anything better after that.

Nothing else really to say.

Kinda wish that was the "truth"?

I think your dwelling on what was/was not implied......get over it dude!

Posted By: Pauls69

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 06:23 PM

Mike,

i'm sure both would sell well. have you considered making a 68 or 69 charger grille? they're getting pretty spendy for ones in fairly decent condition & they made many more 68/69 chargers than 71 cudas. i know i could use one, but don't know if there's a business case to make for them.

just a thought...

regardless, thanks for getting a lot of this stuff to market & making it right!

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 09:09 PM

How about we adopt a new unofficial rule on this forum. If you are going to post and offer advice (or opinions) to another individual, you have to disclose who you are and what you do. Something tells me that will eliminate about 65% of those who come here looking to argue their opinions. On the flip side I can certainly understand why some choose to remain anonymous. It must be extremely embarrassing to have the other forum members recognize those (anonymous members) who can't understand plain English or follow a simple thought process. Not to mention the ones who can't substantiate their original points or prove their ridiculous observations or continue to flip flop their positions when confronted or......

Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 10:59 PM

"How about we adopt a new unofficial rule on this forum. If you are going to post
and offer advice (or opinions) to another individual, you have to disclose who you are and what you do."

Best idea I have read all year.
Jules

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 11:08 PM

Quote:

How about we adopt a new unofficial rule on this forum. If you are going to post and offer advice (or opinions) to another individual, you have to disclose who you are and what you do. Something tells me that will eliminate about 65% of those who come here looking to argue their opinions. On the flip side I can certainly understand why some choose to remain anonymous. It must be extremely embarrassing to have the other forum members recognize those (anonymous members) who can't understand plain English or follow a simple thought process. Not to mention the ones who can't substantiate their original points or prove their ridiculous observations or continue to flip flop their positions when confronted or......

This is really a funny post, based on your past performances.

Didn't they have to change the edit feature because of you going back and changing stuff to be "right"?

I bet you wish you could now, seeing as that you have been given enough rope to hang yourself.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 11:12 PM

While we ae at it, how about a rule that somebody like this-

ECS said
"Plain and simple, Mike is the ONLY person qualified top give a factual synopsis concerning his product lines and what he has encountered while developing them."

can't ask opions and get bent when they are given.

Afterall if they know that much, they don;t need to ask.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/25/08 11:16 PM

For the record, if the 800 or so grille for a 71 were out, it would make me consider getting a 71 again.

One of the biggest reasons I sold the car was that I was afraid that 5K mint grill would get busted. If I had a nice one on the garage shelf for 800, I wouldn't have cared.

Posted By: Mr T2U

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/26/08 02:59 AM

back to the original subject of this post.

Quote:

For the record, if the 800 or so grille for a 71 were out, it would make me consider getting a 71 again.

One of the biggest reasons I sold the car was that I was afraid that 5K mint grill would get busted. If I had a nice one on the garage shelf for 800, I wouldn't have cared.

if i could buy a new quality grille at a reasonable price i would buy one instead of repairing the ones i have.

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/26/08 05:18 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I read the big post, I don't understand anything better after that.

Nothing else really to say.

Kinda wish that was the "truth"? I think your dwelling on what was/was not implied......get over it dude!

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/26/08 05:22 AM

Quote:

Since the resin grille made be Premier Plastic is no longer available, I am wondering if the market would bare the $799 it would take to get a grey ABS plastic one like the original.

The investment is extremely high and I really don't want to be in the same situation we are currently in with the 70 Cuda grille assembly we made.

I'm not sold on the project and wanted to see if the interest is there for a correctly made piece that won't warp and melt like a resin piece.

Michael C. Ross - Owner
B/E & A Restoration Parts, Inc.
www.beaparts.com
330-725-3990

Hi Mike,
When all the dust finally settled, what did you end up deciding on? Is the 71 a viable option? What about the shark tooth grill?

Thanks again!

DW

Posted By: bremotorsports

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/26/08 02:23 PM

Mike,

Being a "71" man, I would LOVE to see you do a top quality 71 Cuda grille for the marketplace, and since the peripheral pieces are already available (headlamp bezels, mouldings etc.), this would be the natural progression.

We all know that there were roughly twice as many 70 cars built as 71's, with conventional wisdom saying that 70 grilles should be flying off the shelf. But there is no question that at least AT THIS TIME, the disposable income to purchase a grille for EITHER car is, and would be, a challenge for many, especially in the current economic climate. As before, the market cycle WILL improve over time. Needless to say, we would love for the crystal ball to tell us when. After the market tanked in 1990, we all said it would never come back. Well, it came back, and then went to unimaginable levels. Right now, we are taking it on the chin.

Perhaps to look at this a bit more for the long term, here are some things to consider in terms of potential sales for the 71 piece:

Grilles for original 71 cars, of course.

Grilles for clones/restomods/race cars (I could be wrong here, but there seem to many more 70 and 72-74 Cuda's being converted to 71's than vice-versa. Since fenders are available, the kicker is now the grille).

Grilles for a POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE complete body supplied by Dynacorn (Admittedly a long shot, but not out of the realm of possibility). If this were to happen, then, just like a 69 Camaro, you can build an entire car out of a catalog. No rust. Fresh parts. Paint it, bolt it together and go!

Is it then possible that the sales of 71 grilles could actually be greater than projected?

Having made the above statements, I must also play Devil's Advocate at least a bit here. Being involved in manufacturing, but certainly on a much smaller and less complex scale, I still have a full understanding of how technical issues, costs, vendor selection and other potential risks of introducing a new product can evolve differently than originally planned. Some products will be runaway winners, and others, dare I say, will be duds. Also, and so often, the market says that it wants a specific product, and then someone steps up and does it. There may be a small surge initially, and then the market says "Well, now that it is available, I will wait until next month to purchase it". Next month becomes 6 months. Then it becomes next year. Then often tomorrow NEVER comes for that purchase, as other priorities, or "life" gets in the way. A quick example: Many years ago, when Shafi Keisler was doing lenses, he sent me (via FedEx) literally the FIRST examples of his outstanding 67 GTX tail lamp lenses. I brought them to Mopars at Englishtown (when the show was still a legitimate event). I displayed them, with fair pricing, and they got rave reviews. However, the universal response was "Wow, great product, and a great price! But hey, got any bezels?" I sold NONE of the lenses over two days. Crazy.

I will also put my vote in for the Duster "Sharktooth" grille, knowing the quality of your finished products.

Thirdly, and this was referenced earlier in this thread, having CORRECT, QUALITY, E-BODY HARDTOP AND CONVERTIBLE INTERIOR PANELS would be KILLER! Having seen several examples of the currently available reproduction pieces, I am happy my barf bag was close at hand.

Bill Rolik

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/26/08 05:29 PM

Hello Mr. Bill,
Thank you for providing your thoughts and narrative on similar experiences that you have encountered. It is ironic that you mentioned the interior door panels. Two days ago I ventured to Dave Stuarts office and that exact subject came up. We were discussing the specifics and costs to make interior door and quarter panels that would have the correct grain pattern, sharp crisp edges etc�.. Do you think the market would take a similar path of the many products we have talked about in our past conversations? I wonder if offering a �better mousetrap� would in fact motivate people in the hobby to upgrade what they currently have in their cars? I will call you this afternoon to discuss this. Before I forget, our final ingredient to the project we have been working on FINALLY came in! Thanks.

Note: Everyone should check out Bill's new website. It turned out great!

Posted By: Chally426

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/26/08 11:02 PM

Hi Mike

I would be one of the first to buy a 71 Cuda grille, promise.

But, I would be the very first in line for some correct interior convertible cuda panels!!!

Posted By: fastmark

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/26/08 11:49 PM

OK, ESC, since you brought it up instead of me this time. Interior door panels are a top priority on my list. I have 5 original complete 70 Cuda grills and I am still considering buying one for my AAR. The economic times and medical bills prohibit that right now. I desperately need two sets of 70 Cuda interior panels and would not hesitate to take the necessary funds from my piggy bank and buy them both right now. I would not care what the economy is. I have needed white door panels since 1976.

Posted By: bluthndr

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/27/08 12:26 AM

I would/will take one. Something to be said for being the only game in town, and even with the problems, they still moved those resin grilles... Seems like the grilles for all other years are easier to come by, and as much as I need a new one, I can't bring myself to pay the "investment grade" price for a grille for my driver.

Posted By: hemibee69

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/27/08 01:40 AM

Back to the original topic, I am interested in the repro '71 grille. I do have a '71, but lack the ability to send the discussion off topic with recommendations on how to run your business. Having a spare grill just in case is just good sense.

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/27/08 04:08 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Since the resin grille made be Premier Plastic is no longer available, I am wondering if the market would bare the $799 it would take to get a grey ABS plastic one like the original.

The investment is extremely high and I really don't want to be in the same situation we are currently in with the 70 Cuda grille assembly we made.

I'm not sold on the project and wanted to see if the interest is there for a correctly made piece that won't warp and melt like a resin piece.

Michael C. Ross - Owner
B/E & A Restoration Parts, Inc.
www.beaparts.com
330-725-3990

Hi Mike,
When all the dust finally settled, what did you end up deciding on? Is the 71 a viable option? What about the shark tooth grill?

Thanks again!

DW

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/27/08 06:35 PM

Quote:

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/28/08 03:09 AM

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/28/08 05:56 AM

Wow......this post got reduced to "toons",....how's this one?

Attached picture 4843328-bumwiggle.gif

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/28/08 06:06 AM

Posted By: SomeCarGuy

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/30/08 04:22 PM

You guys are still going on this?

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/30/08 04:31 PM

Quote:

You guys are still going on this?

Would you have suspected less?

Posted By: PAINT IT BLACK

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/30/08 06:29 PM

Seems like every thread I read here anymore is full of a bunch of

Does anyone else get sick of this crap?

You got my opinion Mike, make the '71 grille. I love the '70 AAR grille I got from you and wouldn't hesitate to build a '71 Cuda around one of your proposed grilles. Make it, you know you want to...

Posted By: CudaDave7071

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 11/30/08 11:39 PM

I have two cars and one grill that is not useable and a second that is complete but has a major crack. I would buy at least one 71 cuda grill and maybe a second one at the $799 price.

Posted By: buddydog

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/04/08 04:26 AM

Just thought I'd add a Hell Yes to the list!

Posted By: billboardlover

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/12/08 04:06 AM

I beg of you. Make the grille. I have been waiting on a good one. Those of us with epoxied ones want a new one. The alternative of a $2500 one off Ebay that is brittle and may crack too is not attractive. The 71's are mush more sought after. You will see my order immediately.

Posted By: 70Cuda383

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/12/08 03:08 PM

after reading half of page 1, I jumped to the end to reply, and skipped a bunch.

I have a 1970 Cuda that I repaired with fiberglass. it looks decent, I'd say good for a high quality driver, but not quite show car.

I haven't bought a new grille because I don't need it yet. looks like I might have to reconsider before they disappear.

I bought the Goodmark quarters because after a year or 2 on the market, there was rumor that they might not do another run, and that once the current run is gone, they're gone for good, so I wanted to get a set NOW, even if I have to keep them in boxes for a year or 2 while waiting for funds, time, and space to work on my car--moving twice in 2 years makes it hard to set up a shop and work on a long term restoration project.

Posted By: 70Cuda383

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/12/08 03:23 PM

just went through your website again...MAN you keep adding more stuff!

I see a bunch of parts that I definitly need, and some others that I would possibly need, if my originals can't be cleaned up.

quite possibly $3K in parts that I definitly need, and maybe as high as $5-7K in parts including what I might need

Too bad that we're still working on a 6month emergency savings account, which should be done in the next 5 to 6 months, after that point, I need to get the body work done on the car, which will quite possibly take a year or so, and probably take me a year or year and a half to pay for, after which point, I'll be finally ready to start buying parts like what you offer, to bolt back onto my car.

Anyone wanna give me $12K for a big block dakota so I can get a jump start on getting this car done?

Posted By: 2fast4yourBrain

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/16/08 05:40 PM

'71 Cuda grille please. $799, I'll definitely get one.

Posted By: MoparMe70

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/16/08 07:52 PM

Im helping my bro with his 70 and needs a grill but I am confused.

I did some checking on BAE and from what Im told all their stuff is made in China. So since they can't sell the 70 grills BAE is going to shred them up for $0.50 pound and send the pieces back to China to make other parts? Ya...right!!!

Hmmm. Am I the only one that thinks this guy is full of himself? I agree with Scaregrabber, it does sound like "I am taking my ball and going home tactics."

If he wasn't so full of it, I'll offer to to buy your grill inventory at $0.10 on the dollar which is way better than $0.50 per pound + shipping to China? Should be a good deal for BAE since "you can write off a loss."

How many do you want to scrap out?

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/16/08 10:20 PM

Quote:

Im helping my bro with his 70 and needs a grill but I am confused.

I did some checking on BAE and from what Im told all their stuff is made in China. So since they can't sell the 70 grills BAE is going to shred them up for $0.50 pound and send the pieces back to China to make other parts? Ya...right!!!

Hmmm. Am I the only one that thinks this guy is full of himself? I agree with Scaregrabber, it does sound like "I am taking my ball and going home tactics."

If he wasn't so full of it, I'll offer to to buy your grill inventory at $0.10 on the dollar which is way better than $0.50 per pound + shipping to China? Should be a good deal for BAE since "you can write off a loss."

How many do you want to scrap out?

Posted By: ECS

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/16/08 11:05 PM

Quote:

I did some checking on BAE and from what Im told all their stuff is made in China. So since they can't sell the 70 grills BAE is going to shred them up for $0.50 pound and send the pieces back to China to make other parts? Ya...right!!!

Did your "checking on BAE" consist of talking directly with Mike Ross or an officer of the company concerning this matter? If not, your input about this scenario is nothing more than unsubstantiated gossip.
It amazes me how people will take the time to talk with everyone other than those who are actually involved in a particular situation. By the way, the company that you did some "checking on" is BE&A......not BAE. That could explain the incorrect information you conveyed in this thread.

Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/16/08 11:18 PM

By the way, the company that you did some "checking on" is BE&A......not BAE. That could explain the incorrect information you conveyed in this thread.

BAE, BE&A, ABE ,EBA, EPA......I'm so confused?

Attached picture 4883375-52104_formatted_motobutting.gif

Posted By: 2fast4yourBrain

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/17/08 02:53 AM

Quote:

Mike,

Forget the 71 grilles - MAKE THE DOOR PANELS INSTEAD!!!

Make 'em both! '71 Cuda grille AND door panels!

Posted By: dart440

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/18/08 02:30 AM

I would be interested in one of the 71 Grilles when funds become available again. I won't drive my 71 due to the fact I am not going to risk my 71 front end to an accident and have to deal with finding parts for it made from unobtainium!!!

I am going to store my stock 71 Cuda front end and already have repop fenders and gills for the car. A grille would allow me to take my mint OEM grille and put it away also.

Not to side track the post on the grilles. But for those that read Bill Rolik stating that Dynacorp may be doing complete bodies, I talked to the guys at Dynacorp directly at the 2007 SEMA show about that possibility. The guy told me FLAT OUT NO!!! They would not be doing Cuda bodies. Of course like anything else, I guess you can never say never.

Chuck

Posted By: PAINT IT BLACK

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/18/08 03:38 AM

Quote:

I would be interested in one of the 71 Grilles when funds become available again. I won't drive my 71 due to the fact I am not going to risk my 71 front end to an accident and have to deal with finding parts for it made from unobtainium!!!
Chuck

Come on... do you REALLY not drive your car because you think you can't find another front end? If so, that is tragic.

Life's too short man, hit the road. Your parts are out there. I don't know how many times I've beat the snot out of my car on the road and not smashed the front end. And if I did... so what? Beats the scenario where I lie on my deathbed wishing I would have lived a little...What good is a car you can't drive? Lots of stuff can happen. People die on roller coasters.... are you gonna avoid a roller coaster? If so, why ever even leave the house?

Posted By: fastmark

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/18/08 04:28 AM

Quote:

I am going to store my stock 71 Cuda front end and already have repop fenders and gills for the car. A grille would allow me to take my mint OEM grille and put it away also.

Chuck

If Mike decides to make the 71 grille and it looks as good as the 70 grille, then you will want to keep the BEA grille as your prize possession. The more I look at the one I just received, the more I want to build a glass showcase and set it up on the mantle of the fireplace. Man that thing is just too pretty to let a bug smack it and get goo all over it

Posted By: rosevillemoparts

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/18/08 11:30 PM

Man, just suck it up and make them already. Just don't let chrysler get involved. like the 70's and it will be all right. I do have a line on an NOS or close to if your interested???

Posted By: Big Bad Bee

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/19/08 05:36 AM

HOLY CRAP! Grind the 70's up????? My car has a decent, restorable grill, but I would love to have one of your new units. It's just going to take time to save the $$$. Can't imagine you not finishing them and shelving them for future buyers, possibly me.

BTW, do you sell the blinker lamp setups separately? I absolutely need new regardless of what I do.

Posted By: fastmark

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/19/08 03:09 PM

Quote:

HOLY CRAP! Grind the 70's up????? My car has a decent, restorable grill, but I would love to have one of your new units. It's just going to take time to save the $$$. Can't imagine you not finishing them and shelving them for future buyers, possibly me.

BTW, do you sell the blinker lamp setups separately? I absolutely need new regardless of what I do.

Mike told me that the tool that makes the blinker lights broke so he will not make it again. He is saving all the blinker lights for the complete grilles and will not sell them separately, unless he changes his mind about that. Honestly, after you saw the grille ( I received my argent one the other day and it is amazing), I think you would just suck it up and buy one. One day when they are all gone, you will wish you had one. I bought good used grilles at the Nats for $300 for spares. Inflation makes that seem cheap. One day $1300 will seem cheap as well. The used grilles I bought always needed restoring and painting. How many restored grilles have you seen at shows that did not look very well restored? These grilles are perfect.

Posted By: Big Bad Bee

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/19/08 07:57 PM

You make a very good point. I might just have to take the plunge. Just need to get the taxes done...

Posted By: fastmark

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/19/08 11:57 PM

When I decide to buy two last week, I called a friend who has an AAR. The short story is he bought a slant 6 baracuda(many years ago) with a 383, from a guy who just bought an AAR. A year later the guy wanted his old car back and I talked Ross into trading for the AAR. I think I made a good call, hey. Ross mentioned that I had always given good advise on the value of these cars and the importance of collecting spare parts. He took my advice again and bought a new AAR grille from Mike as well. You won't be disappointed in the product, that is for sure.

Posted By: PAINT IT BLACK

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/20/08 01:10 PM

Quote:

HOLY CRAP! Grind the 70's up????? My car has a decent, restorable grill, but I would love to have one of your new units. It's just going to take time to save the $$$. Can't imagine you not finishing them and shelving them for future buyers, possibly me.

BTW, do you sell the blinker lamp setups separately? I absolutely need new regardless of what I do.

Take my advice... just buy a complete grille. At the prices he is selling them for now, it is a steal... you simply can't go wrong in the long term. I may end up buying another from him... this grille is just TOO nice, and people are still going to be talking about these years from now. I believe the black grilles and the marker lamps are going to be highly sought after in particular. Your car is a Gran Coupe if I remember correctly... I'm not sure about your car, but aren't most, if not all Gran Coupe grilles black plastic instead of grey? If so, I would talk to Mike and see if he'll sell you a black one sprayed Argent...

Posted By: fastmark

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/20/08 02:56 PM

I have two gran coupe parts cars and both grilles are gray painted argent. They just do not have the red bars like a cuda. They have the square chrome like our AAR's. You are right about buying the complete grille. If you add up all the parts individually and their price, the sale price of the complete grille is very reasonable. I have just about about talked myself into another for a spare as well.

Posted By: 2fast4yourBrain

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 12/24/08 09:25 PM

Let me re-emphasize...'CUDA GRILLE!

These guys:

http://www.cudagrille.com/

already make a Duster sharktooth:

Posted By: 2fast4yourBrain

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 01/02/09 07:12 PM

*bump*

Just picked up a '71 340 'Cuda and needs a grille BADLY!

Posted By: moparclown

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 01/04/09 12:30 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I am going to store my stock 71 Cuda front end and already have repop fenders and gills for the car. A grille would allow me to take my mint OEM grille and put it away also.

Chuck

If Mike decides to make the 71 grille and it looks as good as the 70 grille, then you will want to keep the BEA grille as your prize possession. The more I look at the one I just received, the more I want to build a glass showcase and set it up on the mantle of the fireplace. Man that thing is just too pretty to let a bug smack it and get goo all over it

Like this?

Attached picture 4922032-100_8975.JPG

Posted By: moparclown

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 01/04/09 12:32 PM

Quote:

Let me re-emphasize...'CUDA GRILLE!

These guys:

http://www.cudagrille.com/

already make a Duster sharktooth:

I have a couple of those too,hee hee

Attached picture 4922035-000_0952.jpg

Posted By: 2fast4yourBrain

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 01/04/09 06:44 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I am going to store my stock 71 Cuda front end and already have repop fenders and gills for the car. A grille would allow me to take my mint OEM grille and put it away also.

Chuck

If Mike decides to make the 71 grille and it looks as good as the 70 grille, then you will want to keep the BEA grille as your prize possession. The more I look at the one I just received, the more I want to build a glass showcase and set it up on the mantle of the fireplace. Man that thing is just too pretty to let a bug smack it and get goo all over it

Like this?

Looks like that Premier Plastics ABS grille that they no longer sell you have there.

Sure they "sell" it, but will just take your money and you're left w/nothing.

Total ripoff. Dave at Roseville lost $7k w/those scammers.

Posted By: moparclown

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 01/04/09 07:41 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I am going to store my stock 71 Cuda front end and already have repop fenders and gills for the car. A grille would allow me to take my mint OEM grille and put it away also.

Chuck

If Mike decides to make the 71 grille and it looks as good as the 70 grille, then you will want to keep the BEA grille as your prize possession. The more I look at the one I just received, the more I want to build a glass showcase and set it up on the mantle of the fireplace. Man that thing is just too pretty to let a bug smack it and get goo all over it

Like this?

Looks like that Premier Plastics ABS grille that they no longer sell you have there.

Sure they "sell" it, but will just take your money and you're left w/nothing.

Total ripoff. Dave at Roseville lost $7k w/those scammers.

No way,everyone of those grilles are original grilles from Ma Mopar.

Posted By: E-Body Products

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 01/31/09 03:08 AM

Mike,

I don't see the value in grinding up the grilles. This is not even funny when there are fellow cuda owners that don't have a grille and can't afford one. I don't need a grille as my car had a good one (I am fortunate).

Everyone don't make enough money to go spend $1000 - 1500 for a grille for their car.

I do think that the parts you are selling are top notch though. Excellent work! I have thought about buying an extra grille for my cuda.

Attached picture 4987376-EBODYLOGO3.JPG

Posted By: Runner2go

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 01/31/09 06:01 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I did some checking on BAE and from what Im told all their stuff is made in China. So since they can't sell the 70 grills BAE is going to shred them up for $0.50 pound and send the pieces back to China to make other parts? Ya...right!!!

Did your "checking on BAE" consist of talking directly with Mike Ross or an officer of the company concerning this matter? If not, your input about this scenario is nothing more than unsubstantiated gossip.
It amazes me how people will take the time to talk with everyone other than those who are actually involved in a particular situation. By the way, the company that you did some "checking on" is BE&A......not BAE. That could explain the incorrect information you conveyed in this thread.

Man you are really beating the whole "everyone except you is uninformed" thing into the ground.

I have not wasted the time to re-read the whole thread, just to see what has & has not been deleted since it 1st showed up (or maybe one just like it)
But it was stated at one point, by the man himself that he was going to grind up the unsold 70 grills that hadn't sold in what amounted to just a few short months.

That shocked many people on here, who figured they had at least until next spring to save up the cash for one. He stated he wanted the resin to make the 71 grills or some such... and when pressed for how in the heck could shredding them be more cost effective than discounting them, I believe taxes came up. So it would appear the way to make out, is not by reusing the $0.50lb resin as claimed, but by taking a tax right off.

In any even... I think the ONLY reason this thread has developed into what it has is because people still want the 70 grills!!! They are just venting frustration at being informed that it was a "Limited TIME offering"(with a built in scrap date) and not just a "Limited Run" that would be available until sold out. Giving the average Joe time to save up.

That is what I get out of all this...
But feel free to keep twisting everyone's words around and pounding it into the ground if you want

Those 70 grills look so good they should be protected by the US gov... instead of the polar bears
The thought of them being shredded is just too much to bare

Posted By: E-Body Products

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 02/01/09 03:08 AM

From my experience, 100% regrind use creates defective product. I think the maximum limit figure is somewhere around 15% regrind mixed in with virgin resin during injection molding. This figure does vary with different resins...

Soft tool aluminum molds are good for 100K shots and cost anywhere from $3000 and up (very high up). Check www.protomold.com if you don't believe me.
Hard tool steel molds are good for 1 million + shots and generally cost double what the soft tool molds cost.

So, seems like the minimum number of grilles that could be produced if a soft tool mold exists is 100,000 grilles.

Is BEA actually molding these parts? I see them on Goodmark's sight without the marker lights and paint... Just curious...

Posted By: Old_Moparz

Re: 71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST - 03/06/09 09:34 PM

I missed this thread originally & just found it doing a Barracuda parts search on Google.

I've seen some of the repro parts from B/E & A Restoration Parts, & I think they'd do a much better job at a '71 Cuda grille than Premiere Plastics ever did, does, or will still do. Actually, there are still '71 Cuda grilles on ebay constantly, & a current vendor selling 2 of them right now along with a Charger grille. The vendor is from the Premiere Plastics "old" location in Fresno, CA. I don't know if this vendor has any ties to PP, but it looks like it does. If not, then maybe they are just selling off an old inventory.

Cuda Grille Auction 1:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-cuda-b...A1%7C240%3A1318

Cuda Grille Auction 2:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-cuda-b...A1%7C240%3A1318

Charger Grille Auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-CHARGE...A1%7C240%3A1318

I bought my '71 Cuda grille from Premiere Plastics several years ago. At the time it was a decent company, just slow, but PP has ruined their reputation with a total lack of customer service as well as not shipping grilles at all after recieving payment for them. Even I waited 4 months for mine & could never get them to respond to an email or return a call. I have also read enough negative comments & dealings about PP that I'd never buy from, or recommend them again.

To critique the actual quality of the repro grille from PP, I think it's an adequate & usable part, but not good enough for a good restoration where a person will be more critical of what they use on their car. I never installed the grille in the car & have since decided to sell the vehicle, but I do see that it did not hold it's original shape & contours in storage. The plastic is flexible & will go back into the correct shape & once installed the grille support structure should keep it in place.

If I end up not selling the car, my plan is to restore it at a later date & use the PP repro grille. If B/E & A Restoration Parts does make the '71 Cuda grille, I will purchase one of theirs & use it in place of the PP made one. I hope to see it made since I know there are a lot of unhappy PP customers that can't afford an OEM grille costing anywhere from $1500 to $3500 each.

71 Cuda grille CHECKING MARKET INTEREST