|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
11-30-2013, 01:06 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Glenmoore Pa
Posts: 1,644
|
Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I would like to have a little fun and see if anyone else has some really terrible reproduction parts they have pulled from cars. I don't mean parts that have the holes a little misaligned but rather the holes in the 100% wrong place or parts that would just never work.
Im going to start this off with a lovely all aluminum terminal box lid. I don't know how long this was on the car but as soon as it hit my shop it began sparking and the ammeter wasn't too happy. |
11-30-2013, 01:18 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,486
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I don't think you have been around long enough to have experienced some of the first Specialized Auto stuff (made in Argentina) which was only slightly better than Ricks of Shawnee Mission KS (ahh, the infamous "Rick's Pack"), ...which was even worse than the JC Whitney garbage offered before that. If only you could travel back in time to the 60's and early 70s to experience the 'Repro Replacement Revolution'!!
. |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
11-30-2013, 01:20 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Glenmoore Pa
Posts: 1,644
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I have one of the old Ricks catalogues. We found it when we were cleaning up after my Grandfather passed. My old man handed it to me saying I could use it. That was the funniest thing I had heard in a while.
|
11-30-2013, 01:52 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Eureka, California
Posts: 1,716
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
In the past 100 years, I have not thought of "Rick's" catalog (and manual), but yesterday, I was looking for something in my Ford Model A Library and stumbled onto the 'long forgotten' "Rick's" Restoration manual. Hummm, I thought. And Now today, to have it mentioned again - what a coincidence !
|
11-30-2013, 01:55 PM | #5 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80
Posts: 4,893
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Much agreed, the Specialized Auto and Rick Pack's stuff was still in abundance in the early 80's when I first got into the hobbie. I still seen some in the JC Whitney catalogs of that era. I did most of my business with Masonville Garage during that time, so never really encountered the worst of the worse. Rod
__________________
Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!! |
11-30-2013, 03:36 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gwynn's Island Va
Posts: 1,380
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Last edited by Wick; 09-29-2019 at 04:32 AM. |
11-30-2013, 03:46 PM | #7 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 25
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Oh yes, Rick's. I ended up letting my attorney handle Rick.
|
11-30-2013, 06:10 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Alton, NH
Posts: 1,231
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Wick,
I love the Hubcap, I have never seen that before!
__________________
It's not what people think they know that will hurt them, it is what they think they know that aint so! -Mark Twain. It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.- Unknown |
11-30-2013, 06:16 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Bucks Co. Pa
Posts: 632
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I have a two bladed fan that was stamped (not stock, not fabicated) out of 16ga (Possibly 18 ga) that's about as chintzy as they come. I was wondering just who made this P.O.S.?
Terry |
11-30-2013, 06:25 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Homestead, Fl
Posts: 351
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
One of the first Model A books I bought. Was better than nothing. Kinda. LOL
|
11-30-2013, 06:45 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gwynn's Island Va
Posts: 1,380
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I saw that book on ebay one time, there were a lot of bids on it! I've got some more Ricks junk in the shed.
|
11-30-2013, 07:17 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South central Tenn
Posts: 375
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Wow. Rick's. I remember buying some stuff from that place back in the 1970s and nothing I got was even close to what I needed. I was new at messing with my old car so I just thought I ordered the wrong stuff. I don't remember where I got the right parts. I am glad to see that it wasn't me but his cheap crap.
So, whats the story on Rick's? Whatever happened to him?
__________________
Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you. |
11-30-2013, 07:29 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Windy City
Posts: 937
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I believe someone posted a while back, that Rick snuck off in the middle of the night to avoid the lawyer stampede that was bearing down on him! Don't know where he is now somebody on here might chime in-------------
And, wasn't he related to the folks that ran JC Whitney and Warshawski's (sp) same people? I was just starting out back in those days too, and quickly learned my lesson on THOSE parts. Threw them away, was afraid somebody might actually try to use them after I wasn't around. |
11-30-2013, 07:43 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Putnam Valley N.Y.
Posts: 2,151
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
If those who remember that RICK'S had a large trailer at Hershey in the early 70's [1974 ?],,, I bought aluminum rain gutters for my 1931 Tudor. What did i know i was 20 at the time and my first time at Hershey...l.o.l.
|
11-30-2013, 09:58 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,593
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Boy does that bring back memories. During the great flood of I think '74 at Hershey in the Blue Field, boxes of his parts were floating from his semi-trailer down toward the large drain at the corner of the field. In a way it was almost some sort of justice. The prior day I had asked him if whatever part was made in the US. While he said it was, I picked it up and the box clearly indicated it was made off shore.
|
11-30-2013, 11:34 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Because of the incorrect bend in the repro battery holder, the hole will not line up to mount the part to the top of the frame lip. To use the repro part you will need to mount it under the frame.
|
12-01-2013, 12:25 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New hope Minnesota
Posts: 742
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Worst one for me was, repro taiwan transmission shift lever, sat on the shelf for one year, turned into a ball of rust.
|
12-01-2013, 12:45 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Dayton Oregon
Posts: 318
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
All in one word---Vintique
|
12-01-2013, 02:03 AM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
Buster T.'s Pet Man.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
|
12-01-2013, 10:41 AM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,542
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
|
|
12-01-2013, 12:39 PM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 479
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I have a Snyders Catalog from the late 70's, it is about 14 pages with hand drawn pictures of the item, and the prices are a bit different. I am not in any way saying Snyders is junk, just noting the catalog.
I always enjoy 'Exact Reproduction' parts with Phillips screws and Metric nuts. From the past (circa 1976-7) I bought a $4.50 item from J.C.Whitney, the item was out of stock, they sent a refund, and the check bounced. |
12-01-2013, 12:47 PM | #22 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 479
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
I was recently contacted by a guy that has 5-7 trailer loads of Model A stuff his brother bought when a Model A place went out of business in the 80's. He wants $7k, I looked through it, massive undertaking, way too much. So it was sold for scrap. He would not dicker on the price at all. |
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
12-01-2013, 01:03 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London England
Posts: 908
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
A friend has a 30-31 Radcap from Mac's But when you try to put it on the Rad the mounting part underneath is to big and wont fit the Rad .
It wont fit because the mounting part is for a Gas Cap !!! But it wont fit on the Gas Tank either as the Rad cap top is too deep to fit on a Gas Tank . IMO A Classic Example of a Crap part . John Cochran |
12-01-2013, 02:09 PM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rocklin, CA
Posts: 1,219
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I concur with Brent, the early stuff from the 60s and 70s was really something. The reason I started the magazine was to point out some of the really bad stuff and see if we could get it fixed. I think I have made some headway but we will keep reviewing.
|
12-01-2013, 02:20 PM | #25 | |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA
Posts: 6,066
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
You have no idea the "headway" you have accomplished towards the hobby! Keep it up... Pluck |
|
12-01-2013, 03:26 PM | #26 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,486
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Now to bring this back to a positive spin, I realize that many here do not see the direct benefit that Fine-point Judging has/had on the hobby, but I believe it is directly through the efforts of Marco, Doug Clayton, and a super large list of people who have studied prints and releases tirelessly to establish a timeline and to document what the vehicle was originally. Their work has also been published not only in the Judging Stds & Restoration Guidelines but in both club's mags. and some websites. This has educated the hobbyist (albeit sometimes subliminally) where they demanded better quality. When there is a market, folks like Steve Becker, Don Snyder, Walt Bratton, and others have done their best to produce a much more authentic item to fit the need. I guess everything has to start somewhere and build on that. Therefore maybe we needed Rick's and Specialized back in the day to start supplying where we could grown on making it better. I know that I recently had the opportunity to work on a car that I restored back about 14 years ago, and throughout the entire vehicle I kept seeing little details that I couldn't believe I/we did like that back then. Now some 50 Model-As later, we have learned to be better so I guess that is a step in the right direction. |
|
12-01-2013, 05:06 PM | #27 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
|
12-01-2013, 06:26 PM | #28 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,542
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
hasn't Gaslight Auto Parts been around since the 1960s and while my perception has always been that their inventory was somewhat limited, I never heard anything negative about their business practices....
|
12-01-2013, 06:50 PM | #29 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gwynn's Island Va
Posts: 1,380
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Becker Parts....I've got a suit case full of that stuff! Very nice Parts!!!
|
12-02-2013, 06:19 AM | #30 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,395
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
My coupe came with a 1986 Rick's catalog; didn't read it til now. They must have been composed by whoever did the JC Whitney catalogs. I like how they would put Rick's picture in the listings to show how sincere they were.
|
12-02-2013, 09:18 AM | #31 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Posts: 1,023
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
In 1972, after buying a $12 fire wall mounted sediment bowl that wouldn't seal at the tubing flares because of a shifted mold, and after buying a genuine A roadster front seat upholstery that was none returnable (it looked like a hot stamped vinyl rain coat) for $79 from Rick's. I mentioned it at our Bellingham Antique Auto Restorers Club meeting about how bad a rip off that Rick's parts really were. My report accidentally went down in the meeting minutes and they were printed up in our monthly club bulletin, The Spokesman. One of our members, who also was also on a rant about Rick's parts, sent Rick's our Bulletin as a testimony of how bad Rick's parts really were. Rick call me one evening and chewed on my butt for saying such bad things about his business. He said that he worked long hours at night to keep his business going and that I had no idea how hard it to have a business in the market place. He also called our club president, Ron Harriman, and chewed on his butt with the same complaints that Ron allowed me to say such things at a meeting and then have it put into print. I threw the sediment bowl into my scrap barrel. The hot stamped seat covers I gave away to a member that had a rat rod type of a model A roadster, and he wouldn't even use them either. I am still pissed off at Rick's.
|
12-02-2013, 04:27 PM | #32 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lees Summit, MO
Posts: 340
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Oh man, that's a blast from the past ! I bought almost all of the parts for the first A I restored about 30 years ago from Masonville Garage. I hadn't thought about them for a loooong time!
|
12-02-2013, 09:15 PM | #33 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 462
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Guess who built companies like Vintique , Bob Drake , Ricks etc. When you find a part you want you say "How much is it ? These companies are trying to give you what you want at as low a price as possible so you will buy from them and not use American parts, which may or may not cost more.
|
12-02-2013, 09:23 PM | #34 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Cushing, WI
Posts: 170
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
|
12-03-2013, 04:11 AM | #35 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Manawatu, New Zealand
Posts: 1,416
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
|
|
12-03-2013, 11:53 AM | #36 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I agree, you will only get two out of the three. A few vendors sell low quality at high price. I won't name names. I think that most vendors offer the Vintique products because they are the only people that make them. Same for some of the sheet metal body parts that are made by another firm.
|
12-04-2013, 02:56 PM | #37 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lewisburg,PA
Posts: 938
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
|
|
12-04-2013, 05:12 PM | #38 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
|
12-04-2013, 08:57 PM | #39 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lewisburg,PA
Posts: 938
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
Our major suppliers try to buy the best they can. Sometimes that American, sometimes they have to go overseas-things like giant metal presses don't exist here anymore. Folks like Bratton's will tell you the quality of their parts-and offer a variety if it's available. Sometimes, only crap is available, but they'll offer ti as the only alternative. You make it out like suppliers are not only anti-American, but also out to get you at the expense of making a dollar. That's just not the truth. |
|
12-04-2013, 10:38 PM | #40 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Well, Bill, I also use the Vintique parts on some of mine. The door handles fit and work good. The thing is that they are cast and don't don't hold up as well as the originals. I had the handles break off on both sides of an early 1930 AA. The handles were cast pot metal Vintique and the only handles available new from the vendors. I haven't had any problems with the ones on my sedan, they seem to be stronger than the Vintique early truck handles . I also keep it inside, unless we are driving it. My roadster had a good original stainless steel clad handle on the drivers side and I found another good original handle at A's and more for the passenger side. I really don't care about judgeing. I just wanted a handle that was real model A for my pride and joy, roadster.
|
12-05-2013, 01:07 AM | #41 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Purdy, Who is "A"'s & More? Bill W.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
12-05-2013, 12:04 PM | #42 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Bill, A's& more is located in Stafford Springs Connecticut. Eric Emhoff is the owner and is one of the best model A guys ever. Eric was a big help with good original parts and info when I was rebuilding my model A coillection in the 90s . Eric advertised parts in
Hemmings motor news before we got a computer. A's & more has the repro parts and also has NOS and good used parts. he also has V8 and T stuff. A's & More is a small business but is sort of like Berts because he sells new repro NOS and used parts. He also rebuilds engines. Deb put my catalog up so good that I can't find it for the phone number. Maybe one of the guys in his area will chime in with a phone number |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
12-05-2013, 12:25 PM | #43 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,109
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Saw this on Google:
A's & More Address: 56 W St Stafford Springs, CT. 06076-1338 Contact: T(860)684-6532
__________________
Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club |
12-05-2013, 01:37 PM | #44 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Thanks, Carl !!!
|
12-05-2013, 02:27 PM | #45 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Fleetwood, PA
Posts: 419
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I know that many repro parts aren't as good as originals, but sometimes the repro parts will suffice until a good original can be found. Looking at the price of repro parts, I don't imagine there is tons of margin there. That along with all the operating costs, all the returns and other BS, the only way the parts vendors can do decent business is to find the best part than can be produced at a marketable cost... and sell a decent volume of it. I'm thankful that so much repro stuff is available, otherwise I couldn't keep my A's on the road. Making or finding parts would take too much time and money.
That being said, in the spirit of the original post, there is some stuff out there that makes me think, "Why would anyone buy that?" |
12-05-2013, 02:43 PM | #46 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lindenhurst, IL
Posts: 792
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
The Repro ammeter that's poorly assembled, loose internals. The 30-31 brake light switch- Takes a whole can of "rework". The Repro 30-31 Dash-- They just don't fit. The back of the terminal box that has screw heads proud of the case that eventually short to the firewall. The radiator shell that don't fit without some elbow grease. But you know, it's better than nothin' |
12-05-2013, 03:12 PM | #47 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I agree, and If you are good you can make most of it work.
|
12-05-2013, 03:17 PM | #48 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Windy City
Posts: 937
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
......and as Mr. Terry pointed out a while back------ could you imagine the sales of a to-factory spec new mfg. gas tank for the Model A? But the huge cost of doing it?
hope someone on here wins the Powerball lottery and gets to feeling' froggy!! |
12-05-2013, 03:18 PM | #49 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Glenmoore Pa
Posts: 1,644
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
As far as the gas tanks, I wonder if the original stamps are somewhere out in the universe?
|
01-10-2014, 05:59 PM | #50 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 479
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
|
|
01-10-2014, 10:39 PM | #51 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 417
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Did anyone else buy one of the repo gas cutoff valves for under the tank that works backwards? Clockwise is "on" and counterclockwise is "off." It's still on my car.
W. Michael |
01-10-2014, 11:25 PM | #52 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,099
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Did it work well? If not, oh well, typical old repro. If it DID work well then there is more to the story and you get the last laugh.
__________________
http://www.abarnyard.com/ |
01-11-2014, 10:58 AM | #53 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
|
|
03-06-2020, 06:15 PM | #54 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 25
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I bought Antique Antique of San Diego in 1983. We sold reproduction early Ford Parts and Original Parts as well. The Model A Ford customers bought more parts in the '70's through the '80's than anyone. It was a huge business. In 1984 I published and distributed "The Complete Model A Parts Catalog" 1928-31 Ford reproduction parts by Mail Order. We offered the Best parts and also the lower quality priced parts. I had both types in my catalog and noted the differance. The catalog and sales did well but not great and in the late '90's was over. The internet and eBay has surpassed the walk in stores. Macs Ford Parts outdid them all by selling with lower prices mostly the lower quality cheaper stuff. However some of the reproduction parts are excellent. Vintique reproduces a lot and also Snyder's Ford Parts. Bob Drake Ford Parts reproduces mostly great parts. Kyle Allen at C & G Early Ford Parts 1932-72 has a great inventory of Bob Drake Parts along with Dennis Carpenter Ford Reproduction Parts. Kyle Allen at C & G surpasses them all in service and inventory and he worked for me first in the mid '80's where I trained him well.
|
03-06-2020, 07:55 PM | #55 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Erie Pa
Posts: 684
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
A cowl band for a 30 coupe from Ricks comes to mind.
|
03-06-2020, 10:13 PM | #56 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Farmington MI
Posts: 281
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I think that I still have four rusty "FOOL" hub caps that I bought from Warshawski back in the 60's
Joe B |
03-06-2020, 10:47 PM | #57 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,835
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I don't know if this is true or not but I am sure I read or was told that Rick Freeman of Rick's of Shawnee Kansa was a nephew or son-in-law of Warshawsky / JC Whitney co. What I do know is this Rick sold more than Model A parts he also sold later Ford parts or I should say took orders and money for parts. In the eighties I ordered a pair of 1953 Ford F-100 bedsides,supposedly NOS Genuine.I knew from past experience that he had the tendency to backorder and kept money quite awhile,I made sure the parts were in fact in stock with a phone order. I doubt even in the eighties that I used a credit card back then I usually sent a postal money order. As I remember it wasn't cheap probably $500-00-$800.00 for them and freight.Well never got them,same song and dance that they were currently out of stock even though I explained my phone call guaranteed they were in stock and marked for my order. It later took help from Kansas attorney general to get a reimbursement before he declared bankruptcy or whatever he did. I was very lucky but I did loose about $80.. on a JC Whitney order later I think on their first bankruptcy.I believe that what Rick was doing was making money on money at a time when the interest rate was very high in the teens back in the eighties. He would have your money go in earn on it until he had to refund and do this over and over.I am sure their is a legal term for this.I don't know if he was charged with fraud or income tax evasion but I do think he served some time.
__________________
"Never complain,never explain"... Henry Ford II |
03-07-2020, 05:20 AM | #58 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Battle Creek, Michigan
Posts: 164
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Wick,
Can you repost the hubcap picture, it's not showing up for me for some reason. I have a funny looking one that came with my car and I'm wondering if it's like yours? Thanks,
__________________
John |
03-07-2020, 07:19 AM | #59 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 252
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
|
|
03-07-2020, 09:32 AM | #60 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 1,588
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
My phaeton had an exhaust manifold from ARGENTINA with 1/8" misaligned ports. That was one of the first things I tossed in the recycle heap.
__________________
1928 "A" Phaeton (mid year with many early features) 1933 "V8" Closed-Cab Pickup Truck (originally a Model B, 4 Cylinder dating to May, 1933)
|
03-07-2020, 02:25 PM | #61 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Ricks has been out of business for quite a while . About the only problem that I had with Ricks was that they didn't have a lot of the parts that they advertised . After having so many of my orders back ordered I changed vendors . I don't remember any real problems with the parts that I actually got from Ricks in the 70s . I think that a lot of the people didn't have a lot of experience fitting parts back in the day and blame it on Rick .
|
03-07-2020, 07:29 PM | #62 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN)
Posts: 2,360
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Except for some early mechanical parts that were provided by western auto, Sears et al most early parts were junk
Thanks to a very few (Al Lepore comes to mind) parts have evolved due to quality demands and folks catching on to what is junk. Unfortunately a lot ot $$ has been spent on the useable. There are currently are folks making quality parts. Modern techniques with CNC etc are helping One big hinderance is break even quality to produce. If the demand is maybe 100 and the break even quantity is 1000 there's a problem! Underlying answer is a $100 valued part would have to cost $1,000. Won’t happen! |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
07-03-2020, 10:59 AM | #63 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
|
|
07-03-2020, 12:42 PM | #64 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,304
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I too have the beloved Ricks Restoration Manual it really wasnt that bad !!! Mine was well read you actually will read anything when you are towing an oil rig for weeks on end .Mine is disintergrating as maybe the spine binding glue was also made in Taiwan !!! . I keep it as it is nostalgia as well. I remember all those terrible repro parts in the seventies luckily the quality is vastly better now . Junction boxes ,rubber grommets which broke up when fitting to a rad shell etc etc and those headlight sockets .
John in windy Suffolk County England and congratulations on Independence Day . I blame the King he didnt have Skype to make it easier for both parties !!! |
07-03-2020, 01:12 PM | #65 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Ah, yes. Vintique. Here is a set of '30 cowl light arms Vintique made and sold thru a major name vendor (and it wasn't Mac's) Not only this but they don't even point the light in the correct direction.
Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 07-03-2020 at 01:26 PM. |
07-03-2020, 05:55 PM | #66 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pinckney, Mich.
Posts: 174
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
for my 29 tudor that he still had in an attic store room, mufflers, brake linings, dist.parts etc. |
07-04-2020, 10:37 AM | #67 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lee County Alabama
Posts: 828
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
You are right ericr, In the 1960s, NOS was to be had at most any old Ford dealership. Even today, I know of a building in Georgia FULL of Argentine parts, but not worth a drive to me. Jim...
|
07-04-2020, 09:55 PM | #68 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I miss Mal's Model A sales and parts in Pacheo Calif. He sold quality and was willing to help. Late 1960's
|
07-05-2020, 11:32 PM | #69 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 160
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I bought lots of stuff from Tommy Traylor's Specialized Auto Parts in the '60s when they were available and a trip to Houston was not out of the question. We began to see that a lot of their stuff 'wasn't quite right' but used it anyway. I probably still have some on my coupe... We used a set of Western Auto pistons that were still in the car 40 years later, though.
Mercifully, I seem to have been spared the Rick's debacle as we were not active with the coupe again until about 1990 or so, and by that time Traylor had gone down the river on a drug bust. I never heard of Rick's until now. Last edited by Tom Foster; 07-06-2020 at 02:44 PM. |
07-06-2020, 01:31 AM | #70 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ogden Utah
Posts: 242
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
When I first started in model As Rick was all I new.
When I found my first Snyder catalog and placed an order I was in heaven when I saw the difference in quality. |
07-06-2020, 08:26 AM | #71 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
"The dumbest reproduction parts" IMO are all the ones that don't fit. Seriously, I just don't get it. When someone reproduces a part, it should be just as easy to make it right as to make it wrong. Like bolt holes that don't line up. You gotta put the holes SOMEWHERE, why not put them in the RIGHT location. The only exception that I can think of off the top is castings. If you are using an original part as the pattern, any reproduced casting will be a bit smaller. However, even then, since we all know that the reproduced casting will be a bit smaller, it shouldn't be THAT difficult to build up the original with a heavy paint or something to allow for the shrinkage. I guess another would be stampings like fenders where the dies wear and it is cost prohibitive to make new ones. Then there is bolts and screws that are sold as "reproduction" when, in fact, they are just hardware store fasteners that will work but are NOT like the originals.
|
07-06-2020, 10:04 AM | #72 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Quote:
|
|
07-06-2020, 06:25 PM | #73 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Aiken, South Carolina
Posts: 695
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
I didn't read through this whole thread to see if anyone mentioned this, but how about the crap roller bearings being sold for the transmission? The ones Tom Endy has posted about and I also fell victim to? Yes, most of the better vendors are still selling them. If you use them, be prepared to tear down your transmission in less than 500 miles.
|
07-07-2020, 02:16 PM | #74 |
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 75
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
Backin 76 when I went through my coupe for the second time I bought new mushroom bolts for the running boards from Ricks. I'm not sure about the material but each snapped when tightening' Looking at the break it looked like they were pot metal. Good think I have kept all the "A" nuts and bolts I've taken off cars over the years(56) I've had mine.
|
07-08-2020, 10:58 AM | #75 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA
Posts: 1,023
|
Re: Dumbest Reproduction Parts
From Rick's in 1969, I purchased four new outer bumper clamps. They were pretty chrome and with their blue enamel paint already on them, they really looked nice. I proudly installed them onto our 1929 Tudor's bumpers. Later, the front bumper I found laying on the ground and there after I found one of the rear bumperettes was hanging from just it's rivets. With in a month, three of the bumper clamps had pulled their embedded hex headed capscrews out of their chrome plated CAST ALUMINUM faces. There after I searched out the original Ford "all steel" outer bumper clamps and I had them re-plated. Our Tudor is still wearing the "all steel" clamps today. Just another example of the poor quality reproduction parts that we fell victim to.
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|