RE: FBS Seeks Investment
Monday 4th August 2003
FBS Seeks Investment
Alarm bells ringing in Brackley
Discussion
It isn't the economis climate. It's because nobody wants to buy the car. There's a huge range to choose from, and looks DO matter.
It's a shame, as it looks like another British sports car manufacturer is going to go to the wall. However, it shows that just having good performance isn't going to help, if the car looks like something a dog coughed up.
Better luck next time guys.
James
It's a shame, as it looks like another British sports car manufacturer is going to go to the wall. However, it shows that just having good performance isn't going to help, if the car looks like something a dog coughed up.
Better luck next time guys.
James
They won't get the investment because of course, potential investors will take the same view of their product as potential buyers did.
While I'm genuinely sad to see them go to the wall (which is what it looks like) since they tried which is more than most ever do, I have to agree with jaydee, and if it does happen Joe90 will probably be claiming that it was the rest of the world that was out of step when it came to the looks.
While I'm genuinely sad to see them go to the wall (which is what it looks like) since they tried which is more than most ever do, I have to agree with jaydee, and if it does happen Joe90 will probably be claiming that it was the rest of the world that was out of step when it came to the looks.
Sorry, but this one recieves a serious "no-sympathy" vote from me. Joe90 has displayed an arrogant disregard for the good will, offers of help, and advice from PHers. We have candidly mentioned that as dynamically able as the census is, it looks like a turd and has the build quality of a Pret sandwich.
So it is not a bloody shock to see he is going to try and get some finance. 1 company + sod all customers = bust.
I just hope he can have the good grace to eat some humble pie (not teds) and get enough cash to give the Census a new name and a new body.
Idiots.
So it is not a bloody shock to see he is going to try and get some finance. 1 company + sod all customers = bust.
I just hope he can have the good grace to eat some humble pie (not teds) and get enough cash to give the Census a new name and a new body.
Idiots.
It is sad yes. That statement has just marketing pap for 'we are going to the wall'. But what I think is the sadest thing is that they just didn't listen to feed back from motoring jorno's, tv and people like you and me (the more important ones, the one's who pay the money) It just looks bloody awfull!!!!!!!!!
jaydee said:
it looks like a turd and has the build quality of a Pret sandwich.
That's a bit unfair...the build quality didn't look bad.
The one at the motor show last year didn't even have the build quality of a sandwich. At least you often get the slices of bread a consistent distance apart. I don't know what they must have been thinking when they decided to take it to the NEC. "Which car shall we take Joe? How about the one that I just finished at 3am? I know we'd had a power cut, so I couldn't see what I was doing, or run the electric tyre inflator, but I think it'll help us sell loads of cars."
"This time next year, Rodders, we'll be millionaires!"
Or bust.
jaydee said:
it looks like a turd and has the build quality of a Pret sandwich.
That's a bit unfair...the build quality didn't look bad.
The ones at the motorshow had panel gaps so big I could get my thumb through them. The panels were not aligned so much as plonked in place there were fingerprints in the window glue, one car had a puncture, and the roof was off a triumph spitfire. The interior was as ugly as the outside to show at least some consistency, plastic quality and fitting were of the lada school.
dans said:
dans said:
it looks like a turd and has the build quality of a Pret sandwich.
That's a bit unfair...the build quality didn't look bad.
The ones at the motorshow had panel gaps so big I could get my thumb through them. The panels were not aligned so much as plonked in place there were fingerprints in the window glue, one car had a puncture, and the roof was off a triumph spitfire. The interior was as ugly as the outside to show at least some consistency, plastic quality and fitting were of the lada school.
That's a bit unfair...Lada build quality is a lot better than that
I am a bit concerned by the phrase " ... to protect our many achievements of the past five years". This implies to me that if they don't get further investment and have to wind things up they consider that all they have done in the last 5 years to be wasted.
Guys, its the journey, not the destination. While some money at the end of it would have been nice, it isn't necessary to validate how you have spent the last 5 years. You have learned a lot both in solving the myriad of problems that came up, and also in the harsh realities of the marketplace and human behaviour. These experiences must be your reward. You took the path less travelled, tried your best and did good work - hold your heads high and good luck with whatever you do next.
Guys, its the journey, not the destination. While some money at the end of it would have been nice, it isn't necessary to validate how you have spent the last 5 years. You have learned a lot both in solving the myriad of problems that came up, and also in the harsh realities of the marketplace and human behaviour. These experiences must be your reward. You took the path less travelled, tried your best and did good work - hold your heads high and good luck with whatever you do next.
Just a quick thank you to all those who have either posted, or sent privately, words in support of the Census project.
I have nothing more to say to those who post lies (I have said before that the Motor Show cars had tyres at the correct pressure); ignorant speculation (myriad examples but the recent ill informed debate about chassis weight is one); or abuse.
Don’t write off the Census project too soon.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Joe 90
I have nothing more to say to those who post lies (I have said before that the Motor Show cars had tyres at the correct pressure); ignorant speculation (myriad examples but the recent ill informed debate about chassis weight is one); or abuse.
Don’t write off the Census project too soon.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Joe 90
Joe - before we get into accusations of lies - I was at the motor show with James and the offside tyre on the car next to the partition did look deflated. Perhaps it was the way it was parked or something, but it certainly gave the impression of being lacking the full requisition of air.
Anyway, hope you sort things out.
Anyway, hope you sort things out.
joe90 said:
The problem with James is that he was told in a post at the time of the motor show that the tyre pressures were correct yet is still pedalling this rubbish. His crass response to my correction "well it must handle badly then" just beggars belief.
Sorry Joe. I take exception to being called a liar. Ok, some things are a matter of opinion. In my opinion, your car looks like a pile of crap, but in your opinion it doesn't. Fine. Opinion is opinion.
When it comes to calling me a liar, I rather take exception. Here are the facts. The tyre was flat (or maybe you run them at 10psi) on one of the cars that you had at the motor show. The panel gaps were all over the place, and the window sealant had finger marks in. It looked like it had been put together by the same school kid that designed it, except that you blind folded him for good measue.
The car looked like a shed. If a McLaren F1 and been put together like that. It would have still looked like a shed too.
Mind you, if your car had the build quality of a McLaren F1. It would still look like a shed. In my opinion of course.
Lets look at it another way. Ok, so you build a dynamically superior fantastic looking brinniantly put together car and sell it at a competative price.
So why have you sold 4 in 5 years?
Maybe it's because it's a shed, and you're too arrogant to admit it and either redesign it, put it together properly, or give it away with packets of Frosties.
James
FFS. you really are a massive plonker rodney. I was at the motorshow too - James mentioned the tyres to me, sure enough there was a flat one, but perhaps you should focus on the slightly more pertinent issue of build quality. you can pump up a tyre, but fixing your decision to use the cast of Stomp! as panel beaters is rather more of a challenge.
I don't understand why you don't just accept the blatantly obvious, the car is a technical achievement, the things achieved are amazing given the comparatively teeny budget. but you are now trying to sell the thing and it is ugly and mechanics aside it looks badly built. Both Alex and Stig - gassing regulars have built cars in their sheds in the last year which look far better built than the Census and you CANNOT survive as a business however much passion you have for the project if the car is not up to scratch. So perhaps instead of getting arrogant and huffy you might consider taking the advice offered and saving the business before you end up like strathcarron. A bit of humility and acceptance of failings goes soooo far and on a forum containing a healthy proporton of you potential client base that might just not be a bad thing.....
Ask for design submissions - I know the guy who runs car design news he might run a competition & there is here as well and if you are raising money admit that the current car is a bush pig and get enough to tool up for a slinky new body even if it is a one-peice GRP job and you sell the FBS as a track day car for a bit - It might just keep your head above water. In any event stop having a pop at people on here who are trying to help. It is not exactly productive....
Either that or it's Job Club.....
I don't understand why you don't just accept the blatantly obvious, the car is a technical achievement, the things achieved are amazing given the comparatively teeny budget. but you are now trying to sell the thing and it is ugly and mechanics aside it looks badly built. Both Alex and Stig - gassing regulars have built cars in their sheds in the last year which look far better built than the Census and you CANNOT survive as a business however much passion you have for the project if the car is not up to scratch. So perhaps instead of getting arrogant and huffy you might consider taking the advice offered and saving the business before you end up like strathcarron. A bit of humility and acceptance of failings goes soooo far and on a forum containing a healthy proporton of you potential client base that might just not be a bad thing.....
Ask for design submissions - I know the guy who runs car design news he might run a competition & there is here as well and if you are raising money admit that the current car is a bush pig and get enough to tool up for a slinky new body even if it is a one-peice GRP job and you sell the FBS as a track day car for a bit - It might just keep your head above water. In any event stop having a pop at people on here who are trying to help. It is not exactly productive....
Either that or it's Job Club.....
Joe90 bloke. Now.... I know that you love your car and just like a mother with a butt ugly baby, you're very defensive about your little darling. Let's be real though, I've seen armoured support vehicles look more attractive than that. Let's face facts, the rear (especially of the silver one I've seen) looks like it belongs to a 15 year old size 18 council estate bint in leggings rather than an "Exotic, dynamic sports car". The front isn't bad in a "We've not finished yet" kinda way - in fact the first time I saw it I presumed it was a development mule rather than the completed car. Considering you've used so much intelligence, skill and common sense in the chassis and engine department to produce a car that could be a real contender - why on EARTH are you SO stubborn to not listen to your peers? YES... peers, you've had SO many REAL enthusiasts telling you that they want to buy one but won't because it's sodding ugly. Don't defend it, don't just palm this post off, actually answer the question I just posed.
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