Diabolical

what i'm wondering is where are all the people that filled up 4 pages of posts saying they would kill to have this thing produced. between the post where they found the notch on ebay, and the post where raif gave pictures, there were over 200 posts. i can't believe that out of all those people, only 3 of us have expressed interest now that we have a chance. i would really like to go through, and name everyone that said they would be in if they got it produced, but i don't want to be an *** and punk everyone out like that.

redraif

I'm extremely disapointed!

To be honest, I was really not ready to buy that notch either. I was not really in a good financila place at the time, but I figured when else could I get this chance. And so many said that would want one. So i went out on a limb and got it, for me and for the 3rd gen comunity! I sucked it up and set aside 2 weeks pay to get it. That is how far I was willing to go...$700.00 I would have paid! Now I did not have to go that far. A few wonderful people backed off on the bidding, so I could get it and repo it for all of you. Then the time comes and only 3 people have stepped up! Man, what is it with you guys!

85SportCoupeto89RS

Does Bruce accept PayPal? I dont have a credit card But I may be able to use my parents card if I have too.
He doesnt mention the notch on his site. I think it could help some if he would mention it on his main page in the special section.

redraif

I told him he needed to add it to his site. He could link to my cardomain page for pics! I'm not sure about the paypal acceptance. I'm going to try to get him on the phone tonight. If I can I will ask him about paypal! I want to get a definate answer from him if he wants to go thru with making it with so few people. Otherwise i need to start getting the notch prepped for paint. The use of teh training Center to paint is becoming a problem. If I don't hurry I might not be able to paint the car at all! Man If I just had a few more months...then we would have plenty of time to get people interested in getting a notch!

83Firebird420

ok well when i said i wanted one i forgot one important thing, i live in Canada so that $600(american) turns into about $1000(canadian) after shipping...or more. im only 18 so $1000 is alot of money, and i would really like to get one of these but thats just too much money for me to spend on the notch, especially when i could fix the car with that $1000. so for those of u who care thats my reason for backing out, i really hate to do this cuz i did want one but meh mabey next time...if there is one.

Diabolical

ok, not to sound like a dick, but just put it on your credit card and pay it off later if you can't afford it now (exactly what i'm doing) the way credit cards are now, just about anyone over 18 can get one with at least a $600 limit. with a balance of $600, your monthly payment is only gonna be like $25 a month. that's less than a buck a day. if you can't afford to spend a buck a day, then you have some major problems.

83Firebird420

the thing is that its not 600$ for me...its over $1000. i have 600$ and i would buy the notch right now...but its 600$ american...and i dont have a credit card...and dont plan on getting one soon. so not unless he could bring the price down a bit for me, (highly unexptected) i wont be getting one

89transam

I think he should open it up to donations...Ill bet we could get 200 people to donate 5 bucks.....

scauffiel

Dude.


We had over three pages of people posting about how they'd be all over this like white on **** if Bruce actually did it. Where are they now? Like usual - they're nowhere. "Donate"?? Puhleeze. Way back when, during a thread about the lack of aftermarket body parts, Jim85Iroc mentioned that thirdgen owners have got to be the cheapest sonsabeeches on the planet - and that's why there aren't more aftermarket companies catering to the thirdgen crowd. We talk a big game, but when it comes to put up or shut up - way too many shut up; looking around with that look on their face like "Who? Me?".

I'm with him.

I'm wondering what Shannon's custom paint scheme is going to be. I'm almost considering offering to pay to repaint her notch (if that's even feasible because of custom work) myself if there is a chance of getting this done AFTER show season.

Or maybe I'll just keep my eyes peeled for one of my own and forget this whole "community" thing.

83Firebird420: It's $100 right now. If you arrange it with Bruce, you can probably pay off the remainder over several months. If you really wanted to run with this I have no doubt that you could work the money issue out (send a check with a hold on it maybe).

*sigh* Whatever.

S.

89transam

$1000 is alot for some of us scauf. It would take me and probobly alot of members on this board the whole summer to save up that kinda dough. The reason why we are a cheap crown I would guess is because our cars are cheap. How many people on the boards here have $3000 cars ?

And about the donations. Another board that I am a member of was in danger of going under. THey needed a new server and bandwidth was killing em. they opened it up to donations and got several thousand dollars. Between Here, cz28 , ls1 , and all the other 3rd gen boards we can find I think to raise $1,000 is not all that un-doable.

Diabolical

there's nothing i can add to that to make it more true. if i had known people were going to be such *** clowns, i probably would've tried to win the auction (sorry raif )

redraif

Well Joe called Bruce last night. We asked what it would take. He said if he can get like 7-8 he would still do it. Heck if we could get 6, I think he would really consider it! And Bruce is a good guy. I'm sure he will work with you if you need to make payments. I mean what does he have to loose. You don't send the money, he does not send the notch! This is a very rare oportunity folks!

I think we are going to run this GP thru next week! After that there will not be enough time to get the car ready for the TA Nats. Man I wish I had 2 so I could run one and have the other to use for the mold. I really think once people see this notch in person they are going to kick themselves!

As far as repainting the car. The only concern is that it is 4th gen Pewter metallic. Yep the color that is never the same from car to car, reguardless of the year it was made. I have never seen the same pewter on any car. There are at least 7-8 different mixing codes on it! I choose the sliverist, the one I saw and fell in love with! Granted if I have left over paint , I know it will be the same color, but there are problems when you spray this heavy of a metallic...You have to use the same gun, the same pressure, the same booth, and cure cycle. If you are off even a little this heavy of a metallic will lay different! I will ask John, but I don't think it will be easy to match!

What really sucks, I found out a few minutes ago...we put off getting the car ready so we could offer up this notch for duplication. Well now the 82 has lost its home. Yep, I put things off to help everyone out and now I'm getting shafted for it. We are being kicked out of the training Center this weekend. They are closing it for good, earlier then expected! All cars & parts have to go this weekend! So we have to rush to prime what we have this weekend. Then find somewhere else to store and paint the cars and parts! And none can come to my house! I have to get a storage unit for the 82 and Scout II. So who knows where that will be. So I have no clue if we will even have a place to spray now, let alone at the end of the show season...I'm just praying that John, who sprayed my car, will be able to let us use his booth. But his training center is undergoing construction right now, so he is not even sure when it will be done, or if a car will be able to get in the booth. See in his classes they only spray parts! If we can be sure that we can paint at John's, we might have a longer window for the notch duplication, but I seriously doubt it!

scauffiel

Uhhh... Yeah, $1000 IS a lot of money. $600 IS a lot of money. None here said it wasn't, though comparatively speaking, it really isn't; my car started out as a $2500 vehicle - at this point in time I've got over $20K in it. It will take ME the summer to recoup the money from this, what's your point? MY point is that if it's really worth it to you you'll find a way to do it; to include paying Bruce $100 a month; to include asking your parents for it and paying THEM off $100 per month. MY point is that people need to think about things before firing off their pie hole and rogering up for something that they can't do There's no shame in not being able to do afford something. You can't do it, you can't do it. However, it's beyond effing lame to have everyone and their mother come out and say "HELL YEAH! I'd be all over that baby if it was repro'd!" Now look. Where are they now? Acting like they can't see this stickied post. Take it a bit further and because of this bullsh|t, Shannon is boned out of her storage unit - while I don't see this being the SOLE reason she lost her gig, the amount of time we've been screwing off certainly didn't help.

Quote:

And about the donations. Another board that I am a member of was in danger of going under. THey needed a new server and bandwidth was killing em. they opened it up to donations and got several thousand dollars. Between Here, cz28 , ls1 , and all the other 3rd gen boards we can find I think to raise $1,000 is not all that un-doable.

You're talking about a board needing rehab - just TRY to get a donation gig going to get a person something. Never happen. Dirk needed donations for THIS board a while back and people came through. Not the same, not even close.


Shannon, you go ahead and do what you have to do. I'll understand and maybe someone else'll stumble across a notchback in the future and we can revisit this scenario. Sh|t, if I find one, it'll stay primer for a LONG time...

S.

Diabolical

how's that any different than now

t/a girl

Most business' are a risk factor anyway. I don't understand why he wants money for this up front!?? When a company knows it's a hot item why wouldn't they invest in making it themselves instead of waiting on the consumer to put up the money? Something sounds wrong with this picture. Personally I like my big back window it is more aerodynamic. Seems like this is something that was on a car my parents would have driven back in the 60's or 70's.

3rdGenBlackBird

Well I didn't get a chance to speak with Bruce again yesterday, but I left my contact info and my credit card number with whoever answered the phone. I wanted to ask what number we are up to now but I was running late for work.

So, I'll assume that makes me #4, and we ONLY need THREE more people! C'mon guys, call them first thing monday morning... you can do it....

Scott

Diabolical

it should be a hot item, but at like $600 a pop, who knows how many they will actually sell. making a mold, then producing a few for test fitting all costs money and a lot of time that could be spent making other parts that might be more profitable. bruce is a great guy, but he's also trying to run a business, so he's not going to invest his time and money in a product without any gaurantee that he will sell any.

i just posted on nethirdgen.org, 3rdgen.org, and ls1.com about this, hopefully we can get at least 3 more and convince bruce go with with less than the 10 deposits he originally asked for.

scauffiel

ha HA!

That's why I said that!

t/a girl

what wron with the hatch that is already for sale at www.ramairhoods.com i noticed it yesterday and it is also $5.00 less that what they will want for this hatch if it ever gets built?

scauffiel

Uhhh... I must be completely blind because I looked all over the site for anything to do with a notchback and found nothing but hoods. If you've got a direct link please post it.

S.

t/a girl

www.ramairhood.com click on rear spoilers bottom of page

Diabolical

www.ramairhood.com and www.ramairhoods.com are 2 completely different sites. the notch that you're talking about can also be found at hawks. it is completely different though. that notch has sides that follow the original lines of the glass hatch, which is nothing like the original notches rarely found on 88 gta's. the one that we are trying to get reproduced does not have those sides, and looks almost identical to the original notch. if you have eyeballs that work, you should be able to notice a huge difference between the one you're talking about and the one we are.

85SportCoupeto89RS

:sillylol: funniest sentence ever :sillylol:

t/a girl, that notchback is based on the design of the Targa Notchback, the one we are hoping to have reproduced is a close to factory notchback design.
Honestly I dont like the look of the targa notch because from the side it looks like you have painted your hatch glass and it really limits side rear vision. Most people who like the factory notch because it gives the car a different body look. I love how A88GTAnotchback's factory notch looks.

Diabolical

glad you liked it

ok, we have 4 deposits down already. in this thread alone, there are at least 3 more people that pretty much said they are going to contact bruce to leave a deposit, or at least what i got out of it. where are you guys?

85SportCoupeto89RS

I'm calling monday. I'm pretty sure he accepts checks?

t/a girl

I was just trying to be a help. Looking at all angles of a situation. If that is what you want good luck!

83Firebird420

ok well i talked to my dad cuz he was the one whose credit card it was going to get charged to. but i told him that it could be paid for in payments...so my point is theres probly a good chance ill get it, i just need to talk to my dad and then ill call bruce in a week or two....so theres a good chance ill be added to the list.

Diabolical

we pretty much have this week to get some more deposits in, so if you could, please convince your father and talk to bruce asap. remember, you only need to give your information and pledge the $100 now, the $100 doesn't get charged until bruce decides that he is making the notch, and then you don't have to pay the balance until the notch is ready for sale, which will probably be like 2 months, so that gives a good amount of time to save up for it.

scauffiel

There's a good chance that in a week or two there won't be a list.

S.

redraif

As far as a business taking a risk...ok look at what has happened here, over the course of this thread and the other notchback threwads of mine. We had a ton of people that said if you make it, I will buy it. But where are they now...no where to be found! Sadly this is how the 3rd gen crew operates. Someone comes up with a product or idea and everyone is all gung ho till it comes time to actually buy the product.

See keep in mind Hawks is not a big business like say example...APC, who by the way, will not make any aftermarket lights for 3rd gens because they know how flakey this crowd is! Hawks is Bruces home based business. He primarily sell used parts with cars he gets at auctions. He does carry new parts as well. But he is not some big company with all this spare cash laying around. He can't afford to take risks on an item that even new, original, on the 88s, was controversial. GM made so few and only made them a year because the sales were not good enough!

So he asked for a $100 deposit, that he will not even charge to your credit card till the notch is being produced! All this is a true way to be sure people are serious. Bruce could make this thing and never break even on it. Again he is a small business. He can't afford to loose the kind of $ that is takes to make a mold and a few test pieces for fitment. He has to pay a fiberglass guy to do this, he is not making it personally with his own hands!

As far as something seeming off with this deal, well the 3rd gen community knows Hawk's is not some fly by night company that just appeared on here with this notch offer and said give us your $ and we will think about making the part. People know Hawks is a good reputable company!

As far as taking a risk...This is a piece that I had heard over & over that people wanted...They complained about the version that were out there. The did not like GTAuto version,or the Ram Air hoods/hood's (whoever) version. They all pined for someone to repro a factory original or something darn close. Well, I went out on a limb when this notch was found on ebay. It was perfect. It was exactly what everyone wanted. So I put up my $ and bought it with the intension of helping out the 3rd gen guys and gals! I went to the one Company I trusted enough to let MY PERSONAL notch go to to be reproed. Bruce has my notch at his place. He lives in SC and I live in GA. I trust him enough to let have it to copy. I would not leave something that valuable with just anyone!

Sorry to Ramble, but I just really want to see this deal go thru for you guys. I promised to try and make it happen. I hate to break promises! Its such a nice, cool, rare piece. There are parts out there I wish I could get that are one offs. So I know how it feels to want something, but not be able to get it. I wanted to do something to give back to these people who love these cars as much as me! For the longevity and diversity of the 3rd gen!

redraif

Ok the explaination behind my statement...

Well, no it was not just the notch that caused things to go down they way they did. Call it a big company screwing the little guy.

Blowtherm (paint booth manufacturer), Joe's old job, encouraged Joe to start some projects at the company. To use the paint booths and facility. That is would be cool to have potential customers come in a see cars being painted and fixed up. So we ran with it. He got his 85 TA. I got My Scout II and 82TA. We worked on them and got things started.

Well Blowtherm was soon after bought out. The corporate office, in Dallas, TX., decided that they wanted the training center to be there instead. So they sent a rep to Atl to let Joe and the other know the place was shutting down at the end of the year! Joe was given 3 weeks notice, since his job was running & maintaining the training center and they were shutting down the training ASAP. This about 2 months ago.

Now we asked about the cars & use of the facility. They said we were welcome to continue using the place to paint and store the cars till the end of 2003, unless they sublet it out to someone. The training center would still be operational, they just would not be teaching tech classes. So that was the last we heard. So we took our time. No need to rush a paint job or engine install if you have all this time. Well the other paint companies did not want to sublease the place, so we figured, ok all is good till Dec.

Well the past few weeks we heard things were getting dicey. Then the weekned of June 7th they canceled Joe's Alarm code, so we could not get in! No warning! We went up there the next week and asked and they said we needed to only be there when employees were. Ok, fine! Is our stuff ok being here? Yes, its fine. You will probably have till the end of JULY they say. OK so we need to get rolling, but still have time. Then suddenly this past Fri we were told by someone that he heard corporate say if our stuff was not out by today they would throw it out. No warning, no telling us. Just told someone else. Luckily the guy was a friend and he told us!

So having to put the car is storage was not directly because of waiting for the notch. But if I had not offered it to be reproed, the car would be painted, have a rear hatch, and it would be safe to be stored outside at my house. Still the Scout would have to be stored (still in primer), but it would have only cost me 1/2 of what I'm paying now!

Quote:

Shannon, you go ahead and do what you have to do. I'll understand and maybe someone else'll stumble across a notchback in the future and we can revisit this scenario. Sh|t, if I find one, it'll stay primer for a LONG time...
S.

Well know that I will do whatever I can to get the notch reproed. Heck if we can't find another place to paint the darn car, it might not be ready for the nats anyway!
Then I can let the GP go on longer and maybe we can hit the magic #.

Why does life have to be so darn complicated!?

Diabolical

ok, assuming 85scto89rs and 83firebird420 both put in their deposits, that will give us 6. do you think that bruce will go through with it with 6 deposits?

85SportCoupeto89RS

I talked to Bruce eariler today and you can send him a $100.00 money order "Hawks Third Gen Parts" He will file it and if the notch doesnt get repoduced he will return your money order. So anyone without a credit card can now put the deposit down on the notch.
I'm going to the bank tommorow and having a money order made out and sending it to bruce
I made that big so everyone will notice it.

redraif

I'm not 100% sure, but if we do get 6 confirmed, I will do my best to convince him! He said 7-8, but hopefully 6 would be enough to show him it is a worth while mold to make! I need to call him about some spare material to match my seat covers anyway!

TorchTA

least ive got a halfway good reason for backing out.
a notchback 91 formula wouldnt look right....not at all.
:-\

Sorry on my end.

-JT

Diabolical

why wouldn't it?

redraif

Not sure why you would say that. I think it would look great Here is a concept pic DevianB did for a member with a 91-92 body. Looks good to me!

3rdGenBlackBird

Any new buyers? I haven't had the chance to call Hawks lately. If anyone knows the current number, please post.

Scott

redraif

I really need to give Bruce a call today. I'm curious as well.

For those wondering, I'm still letting this thing roll on. Since right now I don't have a place to even paint the 82...why not give the GP some more time!

85SportCoupeto89RS

I just sent off my $100.00 dollar money order to Hawks today So add me to the list.

3rdGenBlackBird

Awesome!! So, we should be up to 5!

I know there are dozens of people still seriously interested... just call Hawks and talk to Bruce! You can find a way to pay for this- if I can... anyone can.

(Although, this eats up my sleeper '69 dart project's budget!)

Scott

3rdGenBlackBird

I swear... I can't wait to get my notch!

We are going to have such boss looking cars! I can't stop smiling everytime I picture my 'bird with it. We had better get the last couple of buyers.

C'mon guys... you know you want a notch! Buy one! (Everyone cool is doing it... don't you want to be cool like us? You know you do.)

redraif

Ok were are creeping there slowly. Come on you guys! Lets make this happen!

85SportCoupeto89RS

I cant wait to put this on my TARGA Z28 when I get it all built.

redraif

Cool we will both have targa cars w/ notchs.
Mine a TA yours the z28 version...what color will yours be?

85SportCoupeto89RS

I'm thinking about going black, with some kind of silver ghost flames. I'll have to learn how to do that I'm also going to have Hawks, 5" spoiler and a johnblowd hood
I havent decided if I want to put the 88-90 IROC rims on the 82Z or use them on my 85 SC the daily driver. I have a few pics in a topic below.
I cant wait to really get started with this project, its going to be my PolishingINC premieer show car

kornshell

hey guys... you've never noticed me before because i've been lurking (finally registered today), trying to decide where to start on my new firebird. you guys made up my mind...

i'm a former member of the j-body org (www.j-body.org), so i know how it feels to get no respect from the aftermarket. we didnt even get a GM-sancitoned aftermarket company until 1997 (RKSport), which was long after TRD, Mugen, SLP, and the others had started doing their thing. i've seen too many really cool ideas like this go down the tubes, so i got off my butt and bought in.

i called today though, and if i remember right that makes me #5. i'll call again tomorrow to double check.

yeah, i know... i'm ya'll's new hero. :hail: (is it possible to have two apostrophes in the same word?)

anyway, i'm going back to work, just wanted to spread the news now that my boss disappeared long enough for me to post.

oh yeah... raif, thanks for giving up the notch. if you're anywhere near pittsburgh, i can most likely get you access to a booth and a gun at the garage my pap is a partner in.

scauffiel

Welcome to the fold Kornshell! You picked a great mod to start with on your f-body!


S.

kornshell

thanks s... ya'll f-body people seem ok to me!

well, its not really my first mod on it... the previous owner (a good buddy of mine) and i have done some fairly substantial engine mods, and the exhaust will go on long before the notch, but its my first unique and/or major mod for the car. now i just have to design a box for my 4 10's to fit under that notch... [:

by the way, my 'new' car is a 91 v-6 firebird turned into a formula 350/a4 by dale and i. 350 4-bolt, TPI, lots of assorted goodies non-stock... i'll hafta get the list from him at work tonight. its black w/ grey interior and t-tops.

--joe

Diabolical

kornshell, welcome to the boards. that's awesome you put down you deposit. you're probably the 5th deposit bruce has received, but actually you're the 6th since 85SportCoupeto89RS just mailed his deposit thursday. it's looking like me might actually get this thing made.