Cottage Classics

[Rob Mk2a]

Cottage Classics website states that they have cease trading and that their TVR jigs and molds are for sale.

I have no connection etc but these must be of use to the users of this board.

Rob

[vixen1700]

Just read that myself. It seems they are now just concentrating purely on Ginettas.

Edited by vixen1700 on Friday 2nd May 13:17

[thegamekeeper]

rumour has it he was bought out by Lawrence Tomlinson

[heightswitch]

thegamekeeper said:

rumour has it he was bought out by Lawrence Tomlinson

Rumours are a dodgy thing to get involved in Steve, however in this case you could well be correct;)

N

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 2nd May 20:41

Edited by heightswitch on Friday 2nd May 20:41

[Electron]

Quote from Spadges Ginetta Heritage site .....

"Ginetta Heritage Ltd has been formed from the Ginetta related elements of Cottage Classics Ltd, with the full support and financial input from Ginetta Cars Ltd, to support and supply the classic Ginetta market and the Ginetta Heritage Race Series.

[thegamekeeper]

I would never spread a rumour that wasn't true

[Fiscracer]

Spadge ceased trading as Cottage Classics because I was about to sue him for substantial damages relating to the purchase of my Grantura Mk III. The car was sold as having fully restored chassis and fully restored bodywork. It soon became apparent that there were serious faults with the chassis, the rollcage was not fit for purpose and that some of the body restoration left a lot to be desired.

Problems included:

Chassis: broken and seriously worn suspension mountings, unrepaired accident damage, weakness between front and rear chassis sections inside body
Roll cage: use of weld over braze, spot rather than seam welding of mountings to chassis, mountings welded to suspension in such a way that shock absorbers could not be fitted, rollcage was an uncertified 'copy' of a Safety Devices cage (I have spoken to Patricia Fall at SD and they aren't impressed to say the least)
Body: splits in the fibreglass which were beginning to travel even though the car was stationary, doors which would not stay shut properly because door and shut was out of alignment. Rear wings wonky.
Race engine: no build or dyno sheet produced, despite requests; serious misgivings about its likely performance and longevity
Lots of parts from the original bill of sale also 'missing' eg wire wheels, hubs, diff carrier, chassis plate.

Spadge was given every opportunity to rectify matters but having completely ignored me for over a year I brought the lawyers in at Christmas. He has strung things out in order to give himself the time to do the deal with Lawrence with Ginetta Heritage and now ceased trading.

The Ginetta deal does not preclude him from continuing to trade in classic TVR, Elva etc parts. The only reason he has wound the company up is to avoid the 5 figure liability of taking my car back or putting it into the state he represented it to be. My lawyer described his action as 'reprehensible'.

I am happy to share photographs and the original advert with anyone who would like to see what a chassis 'restored' by Spadge looks like. I suspect Lawrence will demand higher standards of workmanship and business ethics.

Regards


Seriously unhappy of Surrey(and at least £12k out of pocket)

[mikee boy]

Fiscracer

I feel for you buddy. It's always a shame when 2 parties end up fighting in the courts.

I have been browsing the CC site for about a year now, thinking about spending some of my hard-earned on a Ginetta or classic TVR. I won't now. Thanks for the warning, I hope you can still salvage something from the situation.

Mike

[Seabass]

Shame - I got the impression they were on of the more approachable companies dealing in oddball fibreglass cars. Its interesting how the internet has changed customer feedback...

[TomPiantanida]

Can someone tell me how to contact Spadge Hopkins? The last email address I have for him doesn't work. I lost the address of the guy I sold my Ginetta G12P replica to, and I think Spadge knows him. Thanks.

[Fiscracer]

According to Lawrence T he's done a runner again. So, afraid not.