What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

A recent post seems to indicate that parts dealers regularly read this blog, which is understandable and actually helpful to our hobby. I know that some dealers get a tongue-lashing here, but you know, after all is said and done, it is hard for me to believe that anyone would engage in that business without some level of interest if not affection for Model "A" Fords.

Anyway, perhaps it would be of value if dealers got some feedback from owners as to what part they want to see reproduced, or made in a higher-quality form.

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Headlight bulb sockets....oh yes and good '30-'31 wind wing clamps;)

Good thread. Look at the response to Walt Bratton's headlight reflectors!!

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

I guess, as mentioned on another thread, new gas tanks would be awesome!

That is on the dream list.

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

This is a real subjective post for me but there is one MAJOR factor that many just do not seem to comprehend regarding quality. The majority of the time each & every reproduction item boils down to Costs to Produce, and R.O.I. It is just a matter of Economics 101.

Folks here can make lists a mile long of "dream items" and their peers will jump on the bandwagon. Then someone will jump in and say these vendors need to make better quality however the brutal truth is most people will not pay. I can cite example after example of quality items that were available yet the R.O.I. was so poor, the production was halted. The reason the R.O.I. was bad was because the manufacturer listened to hobbyists who said "if only XXX was offered, it would fly of the shelf!" ...but guess what, it didn't. Folks always seem to find an excuse why they can not step-up and pay the manufacturer's price. "My car is just a driver." or "I'm retired and I can't spend that kind of money."

In the defense of the vendors/manufacturers who do lurk here, most of them are very savvy business operators and they learn quickly about their market. Trust me when I say there is a reason why they manufacture a product to a certain level.

Now here is a thought, ...how many reproduction parts would not be necessary to manufacture if a typical Model-A Restorer could actually restore parts instead of replace parts?? :eek: That one kinda 'stings' don't it? :rolleyes: My thought is show gratitude for whatever reproduction item is available, and buy the best quality you can afford if you cannot restore what you have.

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

How about more RHD parts. Throttle linkages, steering arms, brake cross shafts, clutch/brake pedals and bushes and shaft, bell housings, inlet manifolds, hand throttle levers and many more.
Oh, and another thing - rewrite instructions so that they refer to left or right side of the car, not driver's or passenger's side. We have to be alert when assembling things that we DON"T follow the instructions. I asked Snyder's one day "What happens if we assemble an engine as your instructions say and have the oil scoops on the co rods facing the driver's side? The engine would fail very quickly and because the instructions were followed, you would be responsible." The person to whom I spoke had no clue there would be a problem and there has been no change to their (or anybody else's) literature. This is an issue I have also raised about the Les Andrews books which for a right hand car are full of errors.

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Well I guess it is all in fun :p I would say for most a good set of steel fenders

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Agree Brent about the viability of small production runs of slow moving items but my comment about instructions are valid regardless of volume. I would not be the owner of a Model A if it weren't for the ready supply of parts. Please don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the availability of parts even though we have to repair more items than you guys.

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Yes, this has my vote... steel fenders that FIT!!

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Years ago I sold a NOS 1930's Chevrolet door handle to a vendor at Hershey thas was going to add it to his line of reproductions. I asked him what R&D and tooling would cost to make the first one, the number he mentioned was mind boggeling. How anyone makes any reproduction part AND a profit amazes me. Bob

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

+ 2 Amen

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

well, yes and no, isn't it? I just posted a comment where I returned a US made open car door lock that was substantially more expensive than foreign made but no greater in quality. On the flip side, Brattons's new headlamp reflectors seem to be gathering praise (and hopefully sales) and are substantially higher in cost than the former ones. Am I to think Walt doesn't know what he is doing or never heard of ROI?

Members have commented on who sells better running boards and trim, better nuts and bolts, carb jets, points, condenser and many other things and I think you advise people where to buy better fender welting.

I think nature, size, complexity and ultimate price of the part at issue might also be involved in the mix. Surely no one expects sellers to take a risk of loss but I also suspect there is some pecking order of parts dealers, some of whom can afford to take greater risks of ROI than others.

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Dammit, I'm not a multi millionaire and a SS check will only stretch so far. And as Brent says, we should be restoring the parts where possible. But somehow I've been made to feel as though restoring parts is like dumpster diving, "Put in a new one!" is the hue and cry of those with better retirement plans. Meanwhile I get to scrounge. I bought my fenders for $150 a pair, I did a helluva work on them (See my my profile "My 30 T.S.") All the while I was thinking of the guys who can afford new ones. OH Well! Such is life. My seat frames and springs are made from an old mattress and a Ash tree I cut down in the backyard. Dimensionally, it is identical to the old spring, so why should I care? Well....,It's... It's... HOMEMADE! Therefore it can't be any good, can it? Right? That's the thinking isn't it? Somehow using our skills only turns out substandard parts at best. SIGH!!!!
Terry

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

free parts are also helpful ;)

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

It would be much "CHEAPER" to clean your Original the right way !!:)

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

On the fender not fitting, I have a friend 93+ years of age that asked one of the major manufacturers of the 30/31 front fenders why they don't make them to fit the car. He was told, "Because you guys buy 'em the way they are." Why change the ROI when we don't demand the quality, and if quality is offered, we don't support the price? It is what it is.

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

Patch panels with the right contour. Since they've been made wrong for 40 years.

The Old Tinbasher

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

As a life long businessman and investor I have to agree completely with Brent. He hit the nail squarely on the head.

Re: What Part Would You Want to See Reproduced with Quality?
 

You will learn how to, Real Fast, When you go to buy your new Re-pop tank & then it wont fit !!:D:D