It's a good day for the Gbody community

[Bweavy]

GM is getting real nasty on trademark issues so I wouldn't want to see you have to go against their deep pockets.

That is why I have spoken to others like Jon at key parts, Dennis Kirban at KPP, Lloyd at Brite Ideas, etc & got my ducks in a row. All have licensed a lot of parts. They gave me the direction by contacting GM's lawyers on what we have to do & what we do not have to do.

Trust me GM came after us years ago. We obliged & removed certain items that were not licensed. Mostly dumb things Like Key chains.

[pontiacgp]

That's good to hear cause I wouldn't want to see your investment end up in someone else's pocket. I mentioned this before to tobyp but it appeared he thought there was no need for a licence.

[Bweavy]

Toby's company produces parts that would not have to be GM licensed. There are people that license some of the things they do but it isn't necessary.
But I am not Toby's company. Some of the things I want to do will have to be licensed. This is why I have done my investigating, research, & due dilligence. I mentioned The H/O emblem in a previous post. $350.00 for an header panel emblem on ebay. I wasn't impressed. We found the original manufacturer & the tooling in the U.S. It will not be $350.00 for a Header panel emblem for the guy trying to save an 83 H/O will be able to do so reasonably. We are also laying The $ out to get the tooling brought back to life. Here are some 84 Interior emblems they had laying around from back in the day.

[88hurstolds]

Mike I bought a set of GM NOS lightning rods from you for $1200. You made $ on this. There will always be guys like me that buy these parts. I in turn will pass on that Old favor so that some one else who can't afford $1200 can enjoy these as well.
I truly do not think you are the only person who ever thought of illuminating a plaque emblem. Buick has been doing it for years on the Limited dash plaques.
Now I could understand you being pissed if you planned on mass producing these & your market was cut into. Trust me it has happened a lot to me. T-top reproduction parts, Inter coolers , & aluminum Radiators to name a few.
So is this the situation where you planned on making a bunch of these & marketing them? If it is then I can see why your upset Bud.

Brian it's not.
This is what PISSED me off:

I had a cool idea of having the Lighting Rods name in transparent ABS with ambient lighting making the words glow.

A few weeks right after I had a DETAILED thread with plans and EVEN MENTIONED USING ABS.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=37008&p=314422#p314422

Why not PC, Acrylic, PVC or HDPE?

I don't care if other's had the idea and I'm not saying I'm the one who came up with it either.
Maybe you did have an idea as well, God only knows, just stinks high to hell that's all... what if you were in my shoes and saw this?
It also makes people in this hobby feel THREATENED to post any unique and cool ideas on this website or any other for that matter in fears that it will soon be in everyones car.
I can care less about the reproduction GM parts... have at it, I want to see these cars restored, if you don't make them someone else will but why not leave the unique items to the hobbiests.

Also Toby making threats towards us to withdraw posts and some sayin that I should be helping the cause and working with you guys in this thread is also bullshit.
You're the ones doing this full time making tons of money and already have the parts and resources to do it. The parts will be made no matter what and that's NOT what this is about.
Toby started pointing the finger at you saying you had the idea and now you're bringing up a private transaction between us in defense?
Why would you even bring that up?
No one made you buy it from me and so what if I made any money on it, I bought that MANY years ago when there were still a few around, it's an extremely rare item that is basically non-existant.
Yes people like you can afford it but don't go saying you're gonna help others because of it when you bought that shifter so you can reproduce it and make money.
I'm not in the reproduction buisness, I have a real career for income and have HEAVELY INVESTED lots of my hard earned money to achieve what I've done so far with my hobby.
I'm not here to make tons of money selling items, I enjoy this as a hobby and was thinking of making something unique and selling a FEW for others to enjoy and still have some uniqueness.
But now it's gonna be in just about everyone's car, how would you feel if you were in my shoes?
I'm not the only one that's angry about this either, I'm just not afraid to speak my mind... that's all.
Do what you want... I'm done here.

[Bweavy]

Mike this is why I asked what pissed you off.

The reason I brought up our transaction is that my explanation of the different levels of buyers. After re-reading your right I should of posted you paid X & I paid Y. That was a transaction between us & should have stayed that way.

After reading your post I understand because your saying he wanted to use the exact same material. This is why you took it personal.

You both have strong personalities & I'll leave it at that. So when he makes a threat you have to keep in mind he is a person as well. This being a person comes with ego's, knowledge, & can get his feeling hurt like any one else.

Like you said he could threaten to yank the whole Gbody program, It wouldn't matter there would be others lined up doing this. Trust me this is a bell that can not be un rung. I have spoke with other vendors who were already starting to do things we have done. Me being me I let them know hey we are 90 days or less on this why not focus your $ here or there because we haven't started that.

Mike what we would get is a company who deals with the older muscle cars & would not give 2 craps about the quality of parts. That is not what we have here. We are lucky to have a company who wants to set the bar hi enough yet keep the prices reasonable.
I'll just put this out there for you both to think about. Is it possible you both have huge ego's & do not want to get out done by the other? If you were both at a bar & didn't know each other & pulled up at the same time in an Olds do you think you would set down & talk?
You both got off on the wrong foot a while ago & you both know what I am talking about. Bury that hatchet start over & do what is best for the communitty not your egos.

Pissed both of you off? Yeah that is what I do Think about what I said. Not for you each persoanlly but would benefit yourself & others. Mike you really want to build a limited run & get an exclusive on this part? You have the person who could be your ally not your competitor. Start fresh like men. How's that for speaking your Mind?

No you can PM or e-mail each other you have something in Common that you both think I am an ass.

[oldsofb]

Great point Brian. I think I heard a little Maryland in there . Back to the important stuff. Are there really other vendors out there ready to get into full gear making repro stuff? I wonder if it's because the 87's hit the 25 year mark. I am very excited to hear that news. Parts..parts..parts..More Parts! I'm lovin it. And when the smoke clears Year One will make a huge catalog and say they did it all..look at us

[pontiacgp]

I think the reproduction market for G body's is going to expand. The 50's and 60's and 70's cars have a good supply of reproduction parts, the G body's are naturally next in line

[tobyp]

Great point Brian. I think I heard a little Maryland in there . Back to the important stuff. Are there really other vendors out there ready to get into full gear making repro stuff? I wonder if it's because the 87's hit the 25 year mark. I am very excited to hear that news. Parts..parts..parts..More Parts! I'm lovin it. And when the smoke clears Year One will make a huge catalog and say they did it all..look at us

We know there are companies ready because when I travel I get to see what they have sent into the MFG .

OPGI is huge into Elcamino items because the owner Dave was passionate about making items based on his vehicle. So our passion and what we are doing follows suit. In all reality we may be a couple years ahead of the curve, but I'd rather lead than follow someone else make inferior products. THere is a reason I keep pushing Brian's name and soon those will know who else carries through default, but this was truly me and Brian's idea, implementation, and hopefully our products we have already available will please the community.

Lots of stuff coming up rather quickly. I hope to be hanging doors on my car for T1 in December.

[85GPLef41]

SO.... Is ANYBODY concentrating on Grand Prix's???? I know they aren't as "popular" or a "money maker" BUT it would be nice to see somebody do something for the 78-87 A&G body platform Grand Prix. Geez they made them 11 years and they are quite a few out there....

[tobyp]

Hey all located in the Cincinnati market. Time has come for test fitting. I have a cutlass and a regal. I am needing someone with a Monte Carlo SS and a regular Monte Carlo to be a "guinnea pig." I will make sure that you are given a set of first run products on the items that I fit on your vehicle.

Man the next few months is going to be good!!

[tobyp]

update for everyone.

After successful test fits on regal and monte carlo SS turn signals we will start production on these lights. Both the clear and amber lights will be available soon for the regal and the monte carlo ss clear will be available as well. I should be looking forward for all the cutlass turn signals next month as well.

We are also introducing a stellar quality wheel well moldings for the Buick Grand National and normal regal in proper gauged anodized aluminum and also the correct satin powder coat black. These will be available soon. I, at last minute wanted the holes for mounting to be oval for a little play when the installer places them on the vehicle. I know not two cars can be identical. This keeps installation easy without the need to drill another hole close to the exitsting hole.

Moon roof seals are now available for the moon roof cars. We built them better than the OEM. We added slip coating and made them more durable against tearing after a couple years. In the next few weeks we will have a new and improved hard top seal which will be better than the OEM version as well.

Bumper fillers for 84-87 Buick Regal are readily available, yes they can be expensive, but there is NO body shop time altering PVC or Fiberglass models, and they are as good if not better than the OEM....they are formulated to last longer with today's technology including TPUR/TPO compunds found in fiberoptic cabling. Cool huh.?

I Just founf out today for the Cutty owners that we will have patch panels for in front of the rear wheel and behind a nice quality 18ga patch panel which will aleviate the need to purchase the whole 80% quarter for $400.00. We thought this a good first part of sheetmetal to come out with since there is much rust in these areas on our cutty...mine included. Quality.....? Bar none... you will like it. Grind, weld, cut....it is good stuff.


Doors are on schedule we hope to have a T1 test sample which I will personally be installing on my 81 around December. This is greatly needed and we know it. Keep patient. we are working as fast and hard as we can. Will be traveling overseas in 3 weeks with Brian Weaver, so if you think of anything now, speak up!!!

[oldsofb]

Thanks for the update. This is very good to hear. Besides every square inch of sheet metal on the car, replacement interior pieces (especially the chrome plastic parts) would be good. Jax Seat Cover makes a beautiful leather seat cover set for the GN and TType. Getting that kind of quality leather seating for the other G-Body styles would be really nice too. If I don't stop I'll have a list too long to read.

Thanks again for getting this started and moving forward with it.

Hutch

[gbgn1]

So there is talks about new repo Doors for the 81-87 Regal/GN and the 81-88 Cutlass/442? If so thats great.

[tobyp]

So there is talks about new repo Doors for the 81-87 Regal/GN and the 81-88 Cutlass/442? If so thats great.

T1 prototypes in December or January

[MrHernandez]

Any plans for El Camino parts? i have a 78 that i can't afford aftermarket tail light lenses for