After some lengthy conversations this week and in prior months. I sent off a request for an updated tooling pricing and run production to have these made. I would be looking at doing the Cuda vert rear panels first. First run would consist of black and whites only although I polled for colors also. comment your color needs.
I would like to get a quick gauge from members of there needs. ***This is not 100% carved in stone yet*** I just opened up lines of communication from the same vendor that has made our kick panels which is the same vendor that has made the "metro" door panels.
I do NOT know costs or sell price yet as speculation of that would be misleading.
if you are seriously in the market for these. Please EMAIL me directly so I can generate a want list as it is difficult for me to track forums as with face book.
Email me at dradcliffe@mikeriehls.com
thank you and stay tuned.
Dave, email sent. Hope this endeavor works out.
My rear panels are in very good shape, but if the price was not too crazy, I sure would pick up a pair for spares in the event I might add a nice stereo system. :popcorn:
Quote from: ErikR on January 07, 2018, 03:47:17 PM
yeah, small fortune is accurate! lot's of guys besides me that have been wanting the 'metro' level quality panels for decades and hunting for scarce usable originals.
with all the game changing reproduction parts of the last decade or so it's still surprising too me that none have been made especially if hardtop rears can be made.
of course i'd be interested and so would everyone, but damn I'd have to see it to believe it. just e-mailed you to keep in touch. good luck!
I agree, SMALL market for such a part is the main reason why no one has stepped up yet. its easy to say why haven't they been made or its shouldn't be an issue. but when your talking 6 figures to bring a part to market is a bit much. We were ready to do this 8 year's ago but couldn't get around the costs to make said parts.
Just a wild guess but what's the ratio of hardtops to convts? 35-1?
100's to 1 or more. never had quality panels to Compare sales too.
I'd still be stuck....because I need blue ones and nobody is making the correct matching shade of blue to match the Metro door panels.
Quote from: ErikR on January 08, 2018, 05:43:33 AM
Yes very expensive to make and I'm not fronting the cash so it's easy for me to complain.
With the crazy high convertible prices you'd think the market would support a run of the rear panels since owners may very well pay more for a set ..... who knows?
where did I ask for any funds ? again easy to say just make a part when its not your funds and complaining wont go to far.
I would guess that if the panels are high quality, just about every vert owner would buy a set, even if they already have originals.
color runs MAY be a possibility if I can get them low enough on the second run.
Quote from: MoparDave on January 08, 2018, 06:34:00 AM
Quote from: ErikR on January 08, 2018, 05:43:33 AM
Yes very expensive to make and I'm not fronting the cash so it's easy for me to complain.
With the crazy high convertible prices you'd think the market would support a run of the rear panels since owners may very well pay more for a set ..... who knows?
where did I ask for any funds ? again easy to say just make a part when its not your funds and complaining wont go to far.
I think what he meant was, that because customers are not being asked to front money....they won't have any reason to complain, bitch or whine...
Quote from: ErikR on January 08, 2018, 07:55:34 AM
You misunderstood what I was saying, I meant I'm not fronting the tooling costs to get the part made, this topic has come up more than a few times over the past years...
I'm very sure Dave is not covering all the expense for these. :) Until updated tooling cost and per piece pricing is in and evaluated, it's pure speculation at this point weather the parts will be made. I'm very confident pricing will be near the same as the last time they were quoted. The deal is, minimum order at that time was x200 sets, if that number is still good, I'm in on the run. If the black/white Cuda panels sell as well as I think they will, Challenger is next.
Not really sure how to handle the colors, the production numbers are so low compared to black/white. I can see taking names and color count to evaluate quantities. If, and I say "if", we had a "good" list of color quantities before the first run, colors could be done at the same time. Our problem is, the minimum order quantity for colors is x50 sets. So much as I hate to say this since I've never done it, require a deposit for other colors before the first run is made so they can be run at the same time. Additionally, the only other colors that would be considered would be blue and red.
I don't have a vert. But if this goes through I would pick up at least one set.
Black.
And if the colors come out, I'd be forced to pick up a blue and red. Just because.
One day I will stumble upon a vert......
I think if they were available any convertible owner would be a fool not to buy a set whether they needed them or not. Most do need them.
I wouldn't get my hopes up on colored convertible panels, heck they are not even available for hardtops.
Quote from: 750-h2 on January 08, 2018, 08:56:10 AM
I wouldn't get my hopes up on colored convertible panels, heck they are not even available for hardtops.
What color are you looking for? Cuda or Challenger?
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 08, 2018, 09:22:39 AM
Quote from: 750-h2 on January 08, 2018, 08:56:10 AM
I wouldn't get my hopes up on colored convertible panels, heck they are not even available for hardtops.
What color are you looking for? Cuda or Challenger?
I'd like to see a set of green Challenger hardtop panels, and blue Challenger convertible panels.....
Quote from: ErikR on January 08, 2018, 08:18:42 AM
Hey Mike! If it wasn't for guys like you investing in the biz lots of us would be hurting for parts so thanks again!
Same for Dave, if you can make this happen it will be a huge benefit for us needing these panels so I'm rooting for you, and yeah I'd prepay to hold a set or two!
Thanks for that Erik. I'm a customer myself, many of the Cuda/Challenger parts I made with all the original markings was for selfish reasons, I needed them.
Quote from: anlauto on January 08, 2018, 09:24:15 AM
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 08, 2018, 09:22:39 AM
Quote from: 750-h2 on January 08, 2018, 08:56:10 AM
I wouldn't get my hopes up on colored convertible panels, heck they are not even available for hardtops.
What color are you looking for? Cuda or Challenger?
I'd like to see a set of green Challenger hardtop panels, and blue Challenger convertible panels.....
I can tell you with all certainty, green will never get done, blue is a different story. I couldn't give away the green seat backs I made, I still have 71-72's left.
I needed and waited for years for a set of green Metro panels and seat backs for a 1970 Challenger but finally gave up. I recently bought a complete black set from Dave and now have to dye them green. :crying: Wish green ones had been available.
Quote from: 750-h2 on January 08, 2018, 09:46:13 AM
I needed and waited for years for a set of green Metro panels and seat backs for a 1970 Challenger but finally gave up. I recently bought a complete black set from Dave and now have to dye them green. :crying: Wish green ones had been available.
I hear you. It took me 4 years to sell the x5 sets of green 70 seat backs we made.
I would def buy a set in black.
David, email sent.
Quote from: ErikR on January 08, 2018, 07:55:34 AM
You misunderstood what I was saying, I meant I'm not fronting the tooling costs to get the part made, this topic has come up more than a few times over the past years...
yes I did. sorry for that. Emails/text are one dimensional and easily taken out of context.
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 08, 2018, 08:09:21 AM
Quote from: ErikR on January 08, 2018, 07:55:34 AM
You misunderstood what I was saying, I meant I'm not fronting the tooling costs to get the part made, this topic has come up more than a few times over the past years...
I'm very sure Dave is not covering all the expense for these. :) Until updated tooling cost and per piece pricing is in and evaluated, it's pure speculation at this point weather the parts will be made. I'm very confident pricing will be near the same as the last time they were quoted. The deal is, minimum order at that time was x200 sets, if that number is still good, I'm in on the run. If the black/white Cuda panels sell as well as I think they will, Challenger is next.
Not really sure how to handle the colors, the production numbers are so low compared to black/white. I can see taking names and color count to evaluate quantities. If, and I say "if", we had a "good" list of color quantities before the first run, colors could be done at the same time. Our problem is, the minimum order quantity for colors is x50 sets. So much as I hate to say this since I've never done it, require a deposit for other colors before the first run is made so they can be run at the same time. Additionally, the only other colors that would be considered would be blue and red.
:iagree:
I see a potential problem with color matching Metro's reproduction door panels with the new repro rear convertable panels. (if they come to fruition). Im sure a lot of guys are expecting a perfect color match.
Quote from: GY3R/T on January 08, 2018, 05:24:21 PM
I see a potential problem with color matching Metro's reproduction door panels with the new repro rear convertable panels. (if they come to fruition). Im sure a lot of guys are expecting a perfect color match.
That's not a problem, they will. Besides, the same company is producing them.
Quote from: ErikR on January 08, 2018, 08:18:42 AM
Hey Mike! If it wasn't for guys like you investing in the biz lots of us would be hurting for parts so thanks again!
Same for Dave, if you can make this happen it will be a huge benefit for us needing these panels so I'm rooting for you!
:iagree:
Quote from: HEMICUDA on January 08, 2018, 09:26:08 AM
Thanks for that Erik. I'm a customer myself, many of the Cuda/Challenger parts I made with all the original markings was for selfish reasons, I needed them.
Glad to see you're still making stuff Mike!
We sure could use more people as selfish as you! :)
If you need the parts, there's probably a lot of other people who also need them.
Tav
Oh boy, 16 of the Cuda sets so far that's promising, NOT. Of those, half my actually buy a set, been doing this way to long and know better. Anyone have 100K I can borrow for my porition of the project expense? That way I won't feel bad sitting on inventory that's not even breaking even.
:notsure: Is this poll being offered on other Mopar sites/forums ? :soshelp:
Quote from: GY3R/T on January 10, 2018, 07:10:01 AM
:notsure: Is this poll being offered on other Mopar sites/forums ? :soshelp:
I've posted on 3 Fb pages, here and cc.com so if everyone or some can share far and wide. so I can compile a want list this will help immensely. I don't have enough time in the day to tag every forum.
thanks in advance.
Quote from: GY3R/T on January 10, 2018, 07:10:01 AM
:notsure: Is this poll being offered on other Mopar sites/forums ? :soshelp:
This is far and away the very best ebody website on the planet with the largest potential market. Minimum first run of panels, which pays for tooling, is x200 sets. So far, we have x16 guys here that say need a set, how many of those will actually buy? So, is there another 12.5 websites as good as this one with x16 potential buyers? If every single person that said they wanted a set got them then we're all good and can exhale that deep breathe we took when the trigger was pulled. It's just not realistic.
That's why this particular project has been going from the front burner to the back over the last few years. I've been chomping at the bit to make these parts.
Moparts.com ??
Other thing about posting on every website is how many of the folks wanting panels visit more than one website & click the box every chance they get....
But then again I know three other vert owners who virtually never visit the internet.... I actually know more guys (actually know, not just through the internet) who don't do Mopar websites with cool cars than guys who do...
For me, I want a set of black Challenger panels, and when I buy those I'll also buy front panels, and the dash pad that I've been wanting for years.. Once thats bought I might as well recover the front seats since they are over twenty years old, have had my fat ass on them for over 90,000 miles of driving & are starting to show their age.... Where do I draw the line?
Is there no chance on larger companies like Year One or Classic Industries getting involved with the financing ?
Seems like there a lot of millionaire Mopar guys out there that might want to get involved as well. HEMICUDA why don't you just ask that woman you sleep with to front the cash....I'm sure she has it ! :haha:
Quote from: 1 Wild R/T on January 10, 2018, 08:52:22 AM
I know three other vert owners who virtually never visit the internet.
Same here. Then there's a bunch that are unknown who don't do forums or social media. How to reach out to them? Possibly advertising in magazines by vendors who are already paying for ad space. I don't know how many are in the ebody convertible registry but if there's a way to inform each and everyone one of them, that would go a long way.
for now. I'm still waiting on pricing to come back. Once that comes in we will know where we stand in all of this. As mentioned not all owners are tech savvy or even on the internet. So there is a lot to do once the numbers come in and If we move forward then we wait for money to exchange then samples.
Quote from: anlauto on January 10, 2018, 10:17:01 AM
Is there no chance on larger companies like Year One or Classic Industries getting involved with the financing ?
Seems like there a lot of millionaire Mopar guys out there that might want to get involved as well. HEMICUDA why don't you just ask that woman you sleep with to front the cash....I'm sure she has it ! :haha:
Alan, do you realize how few things companies like Year One actually invest in? Mostly they purchase products from smaller companies that make it... Of course part of purchasing is negotiating a lower price then mark it up... If they do invest then we get something like the M&H wiring where Year One gets exclusive rights to the product...
Then theres things like body gasket kits, Year One sells the total crap ones but stole Jim @ DMT's art work.... You'd like to believe they would want the best quality parts for their customers but what they really want is the most profit... This is America in 2018 after all....
Next there's your jab at Mike, I have no idea what your trying to say but Mike's done more for this hobby then 99% of the guys you'll ever meet in the Mopar world...
Not to mention it seems to me your wife supported you when you first started your little restoration business....
I'm not looking to start a pissing match but I really don't understand why you would post crap like that... I mean in your thread about Cuda parking light lenses you have to ask if Mike will sell to you (which makes me think there's bad blood) which he says he will then you come to this thread & toss out a jab? WTF...
As unfortunate as it sounds....I don't think you'll get the much needed interest, deposits, etc...based on promises. In the past (in the Mopar world) promises have been made for these panels, and other parts like Passon's 5 speeds, etc.... and although some may have come through, it wasn't until after excessive long waits and repeated disappointments. These convertible panels were promised years ago and never made it to market. :crying:
As unrealistic as it might be, I think someone, or a group of people, have just step-up, gamble, go way out on a limb, bite the bullet....whatever it takes....spend the quarter of a million or so and have these panels made.....then hope to God they sell and they can recoup their money and maybe even make a few bucks. Forget about the surveys, or taking names, making promises or even taking deposits......just get the panels made. :alan2cents:
A PERFECT example of what I'm talking about is the route that
@TONY (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/tony_147) takes when having his parts manufactured.....
You hear absolutely nothing about 450 rims, ashtrays, A pillar trim, etc...etc...etc... coming out until they hit the market.....Then everybody goes ape-shit over them and buys them up like crazy !
Imagine if there was no fore-warning about these panels coming out, then all of a sudden...there they are on EBay for the whole world to see....They would get bought it like hotcakes, especially knowing there might only ever be 200 sets available....That excitement alone is priceless compared to being told about them now and having to wait a year or two before they ever come out.... :alan2cents:
Just my opinion :cheers:
I know this might be an odd ball way to go about it, but have you looked into having an industrial 3d scanner and printer place do them? Not sure if the resolution is good enough on scanners yet to capture the grain perfectly but they should be strong enough materials to extrude the panel. The print lines are so small these days that I'd think they wouldn't be visible. :notsure: The costs would almost certainly be less and you could do them in very small batches. Not sure if the abs and other plastics reels come in the correct colors for blue, green, red, etc. probably not.
I ended up buying the fake looking repops. I figure in 10 years after my kids have scuffed and scratched the current interior I'll be looking for your panels!
Good luck! :bradsthumb:
Quote from: MikeMikeMike on January 11, 2018, 09:18:42 AM
I know this might be an odd ball way to go about it, but have you looked into having an industrial 3d scanner and printer place do them? Not sure if the resolution is good enough on scanners yet to capture the grain perfectly but they should be strong enough materials to extrude the panel. The print lines are so small these days that I'd think they wouldn't be visible. :notsure: The costs would almost certainly be less and you could do them in very small batches. Not sure if the abs and other plastics reels come in the correct colors for blue, green, red, etc. probably not.
I ended up buying the fake looking repops. I figure in 10 years after my kids have scuffed and scratched the current interior I'll be looking for your panels!
Good luck! :bradsthumb:
Someone else can try that, if it's not the same material and injected as original, I'm not interested. Unless these are done correctly, you end up with just another "better than nothing" part that's already available in the vacuum formed shower stall currently available.
Ok, I didn't know. Thought it might be an option if you could get a quality result. Best of luck. I hope to see these available when I'm ready to upgrade.
Quote from: MikeMikeMike on January 11, 2018, 09:18:42 AM
I know this might be an odd ball way to go about it, but have you looked into having an industrial 3d scanner and printer place do them? Not sure if the resolution is good enough on scanners yet to capture the grain perfectly but they should be strong enough materials to extrude the panel. The print lines are so small these days that I'd think they wouldn't be visible. :notsure: The costs would almost certainly be less and you could do them in very small batches. Not sure if the abs and other plastics reels come in the correct colors for blue, green, red, etc. probably not.
I ended up buying the fake looking repops. I figure in 10 years after my kids have scuffed and scratched the current interior I'll be looking for your panels!
Good luck! :bradsthumb:
The process is already perfected...the Metro panels are about as perfect as you can get. :alan2cents: Why mess with it ?
I was only thinking of the high tooling cost and ways around that.
Quote from: ErikR on January 13, 2018, 08:19:45 AM
trying to drum up some interest these panels on other sites and I refuse to believe that only 20 or so folks are needing them and willing to order.
maybe some of my :norway: homies with all that North Sea oil money and pillaged e-body convertibles can help subsidize this....
thnx for the help on awareness. I would think most that are in the know are skeptical that these will ever be produced. I have received quite a few emails with customer needs and wants. But not sure if it was mentioned here or on Fb about a lot of vert owners not being on social media or even on the web reading blogs.
Quote from: MoparDave on January 13, 2018, 08:59:23 AM
Quote from: ErikR on January 13, 2018, 08:19:45 AM
trying to drum up some interest these panels on other sites and I refuse to believe that only 20 or so folks are needing them and willing to order.
maybe some of my :norway: homies with all that North Sea oil money and pillaged e-body convertibles can help subsidize this....
thnx for the help on awareness. I would think most that are in the know are skeptical that these will ever be produced. I have received quite a few emails with customer needs and wants. But not sure if it was mentioned here or on Fb about a lot of vert owners not being on social media or even on the web reading blogs.
I believe this is the problem. :alan2cents:
Quote from: MoparDave on January 13, 2018, 08:59:23 AM
Quote from: ErikR on January 13, 2018, 08:19:45 AM
trying to drum up some interest these panels on other sites and I refuse to believe that only 20 or so folks are needing them and willing to order.
maybe some of my :norway: homies with all that North Sea oil money and pillaged e-body convertibles can help subsidize this....
thnx for the help on awareness. I would think most that are in the know are skeptical that these will ever be produced. I have received quite a few emails with customer needs and wants. But not sure if it was mentioned here or on Fb about a lot of vert owners not being on social media or even on the web reading blogs.
Very good point. My brother has two verts and is almost never online and doesn't get on here and certainly not any social media. Not sure he is thrilled that i post about his/our project but the info and contacts on here are priceless. :ohyeah: :banana:
Another issue is PW vs roll up. My Challenger has PW. Are the switches located in the same place as the handle for the roll up handle? And if so, could a relief be molded in the back of the panels that could easily be cut out for PW cars?
My panels are decent but not perfect, no one ever cut holes for rear speakers thankfully. My car has a burnt orange interior and I know that color ain't happenen'. But they could be dyed.
I don't want to commit, until I know a price. If the price is right I might buy a pair just to be on the safe side. Although I seriously want to declutter my house and already have a lot of stuff sitting around I'll probably never need. For example I've got an NOS 9191 master cylinder here waiting for the day I buy a hemi Challenger which I've wanted since I was a teenager, and when I realize that dream I'm sure it'll have a Autozone special I just can't wait to replace....
I'm pretty sure with the current hardtop Challenger panels you have to cut the holes for either power or manual windows so I'm sure any new panels would be the same.
I'm doing what little I can to help this cause, but I don't have the broad outreach that others might have. EVERY convertible owner that wants to see this happen should help to spread the word. Let's ALL do our best to keep the fire burning on this.
Quote from: 71GranCoupe on January 07, 2018, 03:30:26 PM
My rear panels are in very good shape, but if the price was not too crazy, I sure would pick up a pair for spares in the event I might add a nice stereo system. :popcorn:
Same here, mine are very nice, I will buy another set for spares to help the cause though, if not super expensive.
I'll spread the word in Sweden, there are 3 or 4 Challenger verts in my little town.
Quote from: filmsurgeon on January 13, 2018, 02:14:05 PM
I'm doing what little I can to help this cause,
:wave: Welcome aboard filmsurgeon. Nice to see you here. How 'bout introducing yourself under New Members.
I'd be interested depending on price. I have a pair that are chalky and I can retexture/paint them for cheap... but do have the metro door panel for the fronts already and knowing they'd be a perfect match would be a huge plus.
Quote from: silver70 on January 13, 2018, 05:00:45 PM
I'd be interested depending on price. I have a pair that are chalky and I can retexture/paint them for cheap... but do have the metro door panel for the fronts already and knowing they'd be a perfect match would be a huge plus.
Same here. Similar scenario. I have two pairs of original white Challenger rear panels. One pair is significantly worse than the other. Once I sanded all the chalkiness off, There was no texture left. If I were to use either pair, they'd need some work (i.e. re-texturing, scratch/gouge repair, paint, etc). I also have the Metro door panels, in white. I've been hoping ever since I got the door panels that the rears might someday be made. I would buy a pair in a heartbeat.
Quote from: anlauto on January 11, 2018, 08:00:48 AM
:iagree: As unfortunate as it sounds....I don't think you'll get the much needed interest, deposits, etc...based on promises. In the past (in the Mopar world) promises have been made for these panels, and other parts like Passon's 5 speeds, etc.... and although some may have come through, it wasn't until after excessive long waits and repeated disappointments. These convertible panels were promised years ago and never made it to market. :crying:
As unrealistic as it might be, I think someone, or a group of people, have just step-up, gamble, go way out on a limb, bite the bullet....whatever it takes....spend the quarter of a million or so and have these panels made.....then hope to God they sell and they can recoup their money and maybe even make a few bucks. Forget about the surveys, or taking names, making promises or even taking deposits......just get the panels made. :alan2cents:
A PERFECT example of what I'm talking about is the route that @TONY (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/tony_147) takes when having his parts manufactured.....
You hear absolutely nothing about 450 rims, ashtrays, A pillar trim, etc...etc...etc... coming out until they hit the market.....Then everybody goes ape-shit over them and buys them up like crazy !
Imagine if there was no fore-warning about these panels coming out, then all of a sudden...there they are on EBay for the whole world to see....They would get bought it like hotcakes, especially knowing there might only ever be 200 sets available....That excitement alone is priceless compared to being told about them now and having to wait a year or two before they ever come out.... :alan2cents:
Just my opinion :cheers:
:iagree: This is how it should be done !!! I think the approach to making these panels is a bit conservative. :lurking: Make them. Then Announce them. Advertiise them. Put them on your website. Throw them on E-bay !!! Drill Baby, Drill !! :yessir:
Quote from: JH27N0B on January 13, 2018, 01:56:20 PM
Another issue is PW vs roll up. My Challenger has PW. Are the switches located in the same place as the handle for the roll up handle? And if so, could a relief be molded in the back of the panels that could easily be cut out for PW cars?
No worries there, on the rear panels, the power window switch is located in the same spot as the manual crank.
You just enlarge the hole to a square that fits the switch.
It should be marked on the backside of original panels, and I've heard it's marked on the reproductions also.
Switch vs crank position is only different on Challenger front (door) panels, and those are already available.
as mentioned this is what you will see on the back side with OUT the crank hole.
Does this mean we'll try again in a couple years? It will be another year or two before I'll do much with my car, so no rush :haha:
Only here 35 so far :crying: I won't need them for a few years probably but mine are in pretty bad shape. What is one to do? :notsure: