Go ahead and twwweeeet me on this one, I deserve it. But I can't help ask the NCRS people what happened to the demand for this item. We had been getting 2-3 calls a week for bb aluminum radiators for the last three years and now that we went ahead and made them, they sit on the shelf. I had a mailing list with over 250 names that signed up for one when they became available and to this date we have sold about 35. Hardly offsets the 45K I invested to do this. Believe it or not, this was not about money. With only 4500 some cars made, we would have had to get about half of them to buy a radiator to start making money. I did this to help out the hobby and to stop the $2500 pricing on nos rads. I even offer the 3007459, early 65 with straight neck. The way I figured it was that these cars are so special and valuable that no one would even think of putting in an inncorrect radiator in these classics. Any way guys, I need your help to get the word out there. Out of the 35 we sold I think only 4 were for L88's. I would be open to some kind of group purchase at lower pricing if that helps any. Let me know! td
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my opinion, 45K you overpaid *NM*
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Re: 65-396 & L88 radiator #3007436
I surveyed positive, but forked out $3800 for correct NOS in-box dated. So, I'll catch up with you in 30-years!Comment
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Re: 65-396 & L88 radiator #3007436
Tom, It's great that vendors like yourselves do this for the "Hobby", but what I think happens here is just like this example where the same thing is happening to GM now. GM Restoration Parts now comes out with this '73-'74 New Urethane Front Bumper. But guess what, GM comes out with this "AFTER" 90% of these bumpers have already been replaced by TrueFlex's, Eckler's, Vanacor's, ACI's etc. GM should have come out with this and the bumpers for the rears too for '74-'82. If GM would'nt have stopped producing them, other companies probably could not have reproduced them. Other people with these cars that have replaced their radiators "BEFORE" you came out with yours probably DO NOT need another radiator now, or at least not yet or they have gone with less expensive replacement radiators and just take the "deduct" when it comes to judging. No offense meant at all, just an opinion on what I've seen in "the hobby".Comment
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Re: 65-396 & L88 radiator #3007436
Paul, your probably right. I think a lot of guys have installed Griffins or Brass ones to get them by but there is still a lot of the original "time bombs" out there. It's difficult to let go of an original part in leiu of a reproduction no matter how correct they are or aren't. I know when I am working on a resto project, I make a list of the most difficult parts to find, so when I run across them at a show or something I can score. Many people had the radiator on "the list" but when they are readily available there is no real reason to react right away. It's not like we won't make more, so they get moved down the list a little. I hope people don't think I whinning about sales, I haven't done the greatest promo of these rads so a lot of the fault is mine. That's why I posted this.Comment
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Re: 65-396 & L88 radiator #3007436
Look at it this way: You have a legal monopoly on the item via your license. When it comes to revenue/profit, supply & demand HAVE to balance or someone (buyer or seller) is making $$$ Christmas present(s).
So, now that you have the part and demand isn't living up to your expectations, maybe it's time to adjust the price to recoup your investment? When I put on my old marketing cap (the first 10-years before doing engineering/management), I recollect a strategically announced/leaked future price hike was quite effective at moving those sitting on the fence into ACTION. Much as I hate to say this, sometimes you just gotta do what's economic. An old friend of mine, Richard Fortier, wrestles with this ALL the time....Comment
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Re: 65-396 & L88 radiator #3007436
In a way that's what I'm proposing here is some kind of sale. Give me a group of 5-10 radiators and we'll talk. I also have to try to make everyone happy which includes dealers. If I just start under cutting my loyal dealers that would not be a good thing. Sure I guess I could just lower the price but the major catalog dealers print once a year and now is the time so they would be priced out for at least 12 months. I know you'll never make everyone happy, that's impossible. At $895 I have actually had people complain that it's "too low". After all as you said, we have a monopoly, where else are they going to get one. ButI don't see it that way. As far as Richard goes, there is a guy that's made a profit on everything he has ever sold. It's not a shot at him, just a fact. He's never given anything away.Comment
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Re: 65-396 & L88 radiator #3007436
Tom,
I have heard nothing but good things about your products, in fact I have been thinking about replacing my recored copper/brass unit in my '68 BB with the Griffin one but am hesitating due to loss of originality it will cause. However, if you had a product for my application, I would not hesitate to purchase one. To me the cost would not be an issue, as my 'marginal' cooling problem would more than likely go away without the loss of originality.
I believe that the 65 396 and L88 unit you offer was only released recently, so maybe come this summer you will see sales increase.
DanComment
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Re: 65-396 & L88 radiator #3007436
Thanks Dan! As you know we don't make a "correct" 66-68 BB yet. This era seems to be the worst cooling problem because the radiator was, in my opinion, undersized. The core surface area is on 24.5" wide, which was changed to 27.5" in 69. The Griffin radiator isn't perfect but it's close when painted black. the point deduct in the radiator isn't that big to make any difference in score.Comment
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