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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
  
Location: Atlanta GA USA | I have contacted someone who seems interested in making lenses for FL cars. He is in Australia but apparently makes lots of lenses for various companies in the US, among which are...well, read what he says:
Hello Bill,
thankyou for your enquiry. I would be interested in supplying.
We currently supply many parts vendors throughout the USA for lenses to suit Studebaker, Cadillac, AMC, Jeep, Ford, Mercury, Pontiac, Olds. I can provide references of vendors we have been supplying for over 9 years.
I have been supplying Melvins Classic Ford Parts in Conyers GA fo around 9 years, not sure if you know them.
We have supplied Andy Bernbaum over the years, but
his orders are small and infrequent.
I have a list of parts we currently produce for the cars you mentioned.
Not sure how we would get started, did you want all sales and enquiries to go through you?
I wrote him back trying to describe how GLaurie does business. I don't want to be involved other than being a potential customer. He sounds much more reliable that what is currently available and estimated production time is 4 to 5 weeks. Price is unknown to me at this time.
Comments? Discussion? Ed, anyone?
Bill |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | Possible some samples of his work...
http://www.melvinsclassicfordparts.com/newparts.php
Funny that I should come across this on Andy Bernbaum's site:
"LENSES
Thousands of lenses (tail light, parking, back-up, license) are available.
Too numerous to mention here. Please call 617-244-1118." |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 967
Location: Canada | Price is important, but actually getting product and service means more.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | True, and this person seems like he would be reliable. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Hey, Bill. I think if a supplier can prove himself to be reliable, high quality, reasonably priced, and "user friendly" in the replica business, he would be on top of the world. I think George used to be that way, and in all honestly, I'd still deal with him UNTIL I could verify the workmanship, etc. of the potential new supplier. Having some competition would be good for all of us who need pieces, and right now, there aren't many sources! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | I'll be happy to be the Guinea pig. If I were a businessman, I'd set up some kind of shop or store. |
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Veteran
Posts: 143
Location: Atlanta, GA |
I am interested as I need tail light lenses for my 1961 Chrysler. Almost pulled the trigger with George until I heard the horror stories and am now looking at the supplier in Scandanavia. Anyone bought lenses from them?
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | Jack, you might want to inquire here http://www.mikesmopar.com/partsale1.htm as well as Bernbaum. |
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Veteran
Posts: 149
Location: Perth, Western Australia | What town are they in? Is it somewhere one of the forum members can get to and scope out the workmanship? |
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Veteran
Posts: 143
Location: Atlanta, GA |
Thanks Bill, much appreciated. By the way, what car shows do you frequesnt in the area to see our finned wonders? Most shows I have attended are all c***ys and f**ds. Where are the good cars in Atlanta? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | In the summer, once a month, there is a show at a Wendy's in Bowdon GA. Went once in a DeSoto and had a blast. I'll get more info in the future as I plan to go back. Went to Perry GA but it is a long drive. Oh, NGMC has one at a Mopar dealer down south 75. Name eludes me. Not bad for something close by. I think the Imperial Club had one in Anniston AL once that I went to. I'll get a copy of the weekend AJC and see what's in there. Creative Loafing might have something listed. BTW, my '56 arrives tomorrow from FLA. Check out my FB page by clicking on the www link |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | heldam - 2010-02-11 10:33 AM
What town are they in? Is it somewhere one of the forum members can get to and scope out the workmanship?
Quality looks exceptional. I'll get back to you on which city.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | I'll be getting a list of which FL lenses they currently make. |
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Expert
Posts: 1480
Location: Australia | what state is this person in and what is there name? wonder if they are a well known car person over here? adriana  |
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Expert
Posts: 1208
Location: SWITZERLAND | - crvsir: Price is important, but actually getting product and service means more....
- 57desoto: Having some competition would be good for all of us who need pieces, and right now, there aren't many sources!
- sermey: With more competitors, they will all disappear, the quantities being too low for an economical production. My prioritities:
1. Have the parts available.
2. A quality similar to its Original.
3. An affordable price.
- 1956DeS: I'll be happy to be the Guinea pig. If I were a businessman, I'd set up some kind of shop or store.
In this business I would prefer to be a Guinea Pig then a business man. Or remain a Hobbyist.  - SERGE -
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Expert
Posts: 3887
Location: Northen Virginia | talking about him
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-57-Chrysler-Imperial-Park-Turn-... |
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Member
Posts: 42
Location: Coboconk Ontario | I stock a bunch of his tail/park light lenses.The quality is very nice....not as good as original but still very nice.Original lenses are injection moulded...these are poured resin.He makes some FL lenses,Impys,etc.Laysons used to push his products pretty heavily.The Chinese are pumping out tons of Injection moulded lenses now for most of the popular A/B/E bodys which are better quality......one day I bet lenses from China will be available for the FL cars as well .Resin lenses are only as good as the part that the mould was pulled from.....ie a repaired crack will still be seen as a faint line in the repop part.One of his 61 Chrysler park lenses exhibits this. Again these are nice lenses, the company owner is a good guy to deal with and lead time is generally not too bad.
Oh ya...me I'm still a hobbyist but I run a Mopar only body shop and have been selling Mopar only parts for 25 years now.Have 8 full time employees and am based in Beaverton Ontario. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | GL said: "I will also be doing full like factory re-casts of Mopar steering wheels in coming months ( yes even Imperial and 300 Wheels ) so keep in touch."
Fine, but you will have to take care of the customers you've left hanging before I buy one.
I could drive to Conyers and check out the work of the guy I'm in contact with, but it's premature at the moment. I've toyed with the idea of becoming a US distributor for this guy but it's more hassle than I feel I can handle. I'll ask a couple of unemployed friends if they're interested.
Adriana, check for a PM. |
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Veteran
Posts: 161
Location: Melbourne, Australia | Hey All, I recognized those web page photos as a site I found a while ago. It's a shop in Minto, New South Wales, Australia. The name is David Azzopardi Manufacturing and he can be found at www.tailights.com. Cheers, Frank |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 594
Location: Melbourne, Australia | Wow, that's a third lens man within Australia. I know another in Queensland. Dale McShane. but no contact details. As Furyman1 correctly pointed out, faults are reproduced; ie. distressed lens taken as the mould, are repopped with stress lines although the lens is 100% solid!!! Also with these handmade lenses, colour can vary from lens to lens. I had to buy 6 off once and pair them up and sell the rest! Just to be useable...... Keep it in mind.......... One off latex mould charge applies if you are the first to make the request. In that case you also supply the sample! Was well priced though and worth the wait. Colin
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 594
Location: Melbourne, Australia | Wow, that's a third lens man within Australia. I know another in Queensland. Dale McShane. (I tell a lie; contact details below)
http://www.classicplastic.com.au/ As Furyman1 correctly pointed out, faults are reproduced; ie. distressed lens taken as the mould, are repopped with stress lines although the lens is 100% solid!!! Also with these handmade lenses, colour can vary from lens to lens. I had to buy 6 off once and pair them up and sell the rest! Just to be useable...... Keep it in mind.......... One off latex mould charge applies if you are the first to make the request. In that case you also supply the sample! Was well priced though and worth the wait. Colin
Edited by 57plybel 2010-06-29 10:28 AM
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13045
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Check with Kent and Peter at KP-USA bilar http://www.kpusabil.se/ they have many re-popped lenses for our cars - price is fair too! |
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | Börje and I bought tail lenses from Kent & Peter. both the run/stop lenses and the reverse-backup lenses.
Both were xlnt quality, Börje needed them ASAP, A woman broke one of his with her butt, and He had a concours show to go to, 2 weeks later. Kent had them here in a week!!!
Gary |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13045
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Now Gary, things are getting interesting on the weird side! What was that woman doing with a mighty fine Dodge lense in her butt?? 
Edited by wizard 2010-06-29 12:16 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | I know one Swede's day, it did'nt make. She apparently walked backwards onto his tail light and broke it off.
Gary |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1047
Location: Auckland, New Zealand. | Might have been this lady....
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Alternative to George Laurie for lenses.
