Folks Of Interest Where Have All The Independents Gone?

I suspect they went the way of the dodo bird

 

I'll chime in for @graceandco !! If he puts something out, it's PERFECT! Air cleaners, dash inserts, turn signal housings....he's the schiznit!!

 

Stamped blisters available in steel ($49.95 ea) or aluminum ($79.95 ea).
HAMB Alliance members get 15% off.

Don Dillard
Highway 99 Hot Rods
1454 S. Blackstone Street
Tulare, CA 93274
559-651-1457
email: [email protected]

 

Sometimes, it gets to a point of wondering if what you make is what others want.
Last year I questioned the continuation of our calendar, we were blindsided by another similar product put out by people we thought were our friends. And almost 20 years of doing it burn out comes into effect...
But, we got a great response and we will trudge along.

 

Back in the 1970s,it was still fairly EZ to get things made. Foundrys were still around,before too many Gov. rules/laws/EPA n Greeny types drove them out of bizz. Here in Miami by the 90s only one was left an it was gone too by 2000. I know do too being one of many that made Matchplates for sandcastings in the 70s.

 

I don’t know that I would consider Carpy a “young lad” he has been doing a bang up job with CB750 cafe racers and parts for many years. I am glad to see him doing some nice car parts now as well, his car is pretty bitchin’ as well.

 

I still make '41 Studebaker taillights, and my version of a Chris Craft style dash panel. I don't market them actively, but I sell a few a year. I look at it this way: if these parts were on every other car at a gathering, they wouldn't be special any more.

 

Ten years ago I was making FI units for 32 Plymouth four cylinder motors. And such. Failed. Maybe I read the market wrong. Sold five cheap and gave one away.

 

How about Matt at Geardrive? He does headers, some bad ass intakes and other stuff I'm sure I'm forgetting about.

 

I remember carpy from the 750 days.

Myself, I'm making acrylic and wooden shift/dash knobs. Just getting the hang of my wood lathe but is sure is fun. A few more for inventory and ill post up some for sale here

 

A refrigerator full of beer and a leisurely afternoon of time and we could have a really good conversation. It would take that much time and lubrication to cover all the reasons, too difficult (and probably boring to many) to do it here. Just say that historically around 80% of small business endeavors fail in their early years (3-5) usually because they underestimated what it takes money and time wise, or don't know how to market effectively. There are many more but those are the core. Running a business successfully, no matter how small, isn't just about the product or service offered.

 

Making the part is easy, Marketing the item, people find out is the issue. To effectively do it one must understand price point, distribution and advertising, and then throw in the " Idea Whores " and "Cheapsters" . it really takes the shine off the idea

 

If the parts are great and there's a market there can never be too many imo.. its like having too many 97's, 32 3 windows or cool survivors.. can't get enough if you can manage them all..

Not a personal criticism but be care full not to spread misinfo.. I'm sure those in power know industry is the foundation.. It's almost how our standard of living came about... jobs, infrastructure, transportation.. ect..

At least we don't have to live with the bs..

 

If one was to only read the thread title and not look at the picture or read the content this could have been a political thread. Hot rodders have always had an independent side to them. Different is better in many aspects of life.

But back onto the subject. I've had some ideas on making some aftermarket parts on a small scale. If they ever come to fruition I will let you all know.

 

I've seen a few new products.

 

I'm heading out to the backyard shop to make some more slave cylinders for my T5 trans conversion. While I've been around for a long time I'm still a small time manufacturer that has been very lucky that some people still come to me instead of the big S. I think a lot of the small backyard entrepreneurs have just given in to being buried by cheap knockoffs by big companies of their quality products

 

25 years ago, it was easy to make a unique
Performance product and get it featured in the new products section of HOT ROD, CAR CRAFT, etc. There are so many digital platforms out there that it’s impossible to get the word out on a new or unique item appealing to the traditional builder. Perhaps Ryan would do well to have a new products forum that is like the gear journal only aimed at the traditional builder.

 

Places like Speedway & Summit come to mind that copy and undercut the small minority of parts wanted by the masses. Also on the traditional end of it, the guys making the parts are no longer spring chickens.

 

The list of little guys ripped off by the folks in Omaha, Nebraska is long, and that's just the one's I know of. Maybe the little guys have just gone underground to try and avoid this happening? Or been put off starting because of that crap?
Or maybe the 3D printing / rapid prototyping stuff is deskilling it (ducking for cover!) such that it's not worth bothering - I don't know whether that's real or perceived though.

Chris

 

The minute a product is offered for sale, it is copied. Even things submitted for patents are copied. It doesn't matter if you have a patent, you need lots of money to defend the patent. It does make sense to patent anything because it provides a location for others to get the full description of an item. I've sold some ideas for tools to companies as well as modifications for equipment.

 

ive been making cowl post tops to fund my parts hoarding.



it has gone well so far . 28 29 ford roadster.

 

those scoops look pretty cool. It is always great to see people who have a passion for making their own parts.

 

The “rip off factor” is not new and is not limited to stealing from the little guys. I had a client who developed a new item and sent one of the first production pieces to a competitor known for stealing ideas with a note saying, “this will save you some time”. A lot of times, somebody would come to the agency and we would set up a meeting to help them sell or license the product to a major manufacturer. Sometimes large outfits buying from a small manufacturer would lose patients with delays and poor quality and take the production in house.

This is not to say that guys get ripped off by Speedway, Jeg’s, etc. nor am I defending the practice, but there is usually another side to the story .

 

We are surviving on your Ham O Dex pages here on the HAMB and I must add its greatly appreciated. So much so you have a special spot on the home page of our website. Thanks for everything Ryan.
www.hotrodseats.com
Instagram... Metaltwister

 

The Etsy crowd is bigger than ever, but a lot of that is handicraft or 3D printed stuff. And there seems to be a ton of younger guys in the knifemaking/blacksmithing/casting hobbies...so the skills haven't completely died out.

Maybe there's some barrier to entry that the younger hot rod guys face - either cost of equipment or fear of rejection/criticism from the group? On the other hand, most of the younger "car guys" I meet seem to only care about their social media "brand" and not about making a tangible product. Its all about how it looks on Instagram.

 

I saw information that said many many reproduction parts are made by one old guy at his home. Those old guys are dying

 

Grace and Company make the coolest Air cleaners around. And they are all hand made by the owner Chris in his shop. I was lucky enough to get one of the Dash panels that he was casting, and I have had 5 of the Air Cleaners that he makes. They are Top notch.

He even had a little spread in Rodders Journal awhile back. Chris is a stand up dude and a Hot Rodder himself, his A coupe is amazing. If you are on the East Coast look to head to the Old North State Invitational on Sept 29 in Winston Salem NC, Chris will be there and he will have parts, at least until they are all sold, which wont take long.

Check out some of his stuff in the pics. Chris is on the HAMB as well @graceandco Support you local Hot Rodder and Buy his stuff, you wont find better.