JD Classics, what have they been up to?
Discussion
suffolk009 said:
I thought the marketing for this years Goodwood Revival was horrible; "The most expensive grid in history". I'm no socialist but I thought it was in very poor taste. But more importantly it's all about the stupid value of the cars. That's why the grid is packed with Ferraris, Astons, and E-types. A few years ago they had some Ginetta G4s on the grid. They did rather well (they would though), and they've now been dropped from the grid. It doesn't suit his lordship's perception of the grandiose life and entitled money to have little £40k cars made of fibreglass and stickytape beating the multi-million pound GTOs.
Ironically, the values of the genuine cars have now got so high that most owners are scared to race them, so half the grid are replicas.The makeup of the TT grid has also changed over recent years. The Cobras and E-Types are now so highly developed that many of the Ferraris and Astons that used to be competitive don't even bother coming out to play anymore. I think that's why they created the Kinrara Trophy, as the cars are more period-correct.
thegreenhell said:
Ironically, the values of the genuine cars have now got so high that most owners are scared to race them, so half the grid are replicas.
The makeup of the TT grid has also changed over recent years. The Cobras and E-Types are now so highly developed that many of the Ferraris and Astons that used to be competitive don't even bother coming out to play anymore. I think that's why they created the Kinrara Trophy, as the cars are more period-correct.
Then this will please you and at the same time depress you. The owner of one of the lightweights has decided that the car had become far too overdeveloped for racing today, so he has retired it and has had it returned to completely original specification. it will no longer be seen at full chat at Goodwood but will be used privately..The makeup of the TT grid has also changed over recent years. The Cobras and E-Types are now so highly developed that many of the Ferraris and Astons that used to be competitive don't even bother coming out to play anymore. I think that's why they created the Kinrara Trophy, as the cars are more period-correct.
Well spotted, but how you knew escapes me. Perhaps because I have posted about it before. Sean Lynn took the decision that the car was too precious (in the nicest sense) to him to risk it any more. It was running about 100 bhp more than standard, the suspension, the gearbox, in fact most of the car was nothing like when it was built. So, she has been gracefully retired and returned to stock condition.
What tour? I am a regular visitor and client of that specialist for many years. In fact I am there again on the 7th to see the car and always ask before taking any pictures. While people take no notice these days, the only person who has any rights is me since I own the photo. But then I stopped selling any years ago and just share them.
Chris and I have discussed this many times over the years. Some cars I do not take photos of, because if I don't take photos I can't publish them, now can I? I have worked with many restorers on the same basis over the years, such as James Smith. Chris was with me when I took this one for example:-
If you remember it was when Desirée destroyed the Goodwood chicane in 2011. The hole is the wooden stake that narrowly missed transfixing her. Your company built my C-type, converted my D-type to an XKSS, and I have bought several D-types through you. Yesterday We were chatting about the car and I sent him some photos I took at the first Revival in 1998 when it was red not pearl. At Chris's request I took photos of your cars at the Classic and will be bringing them over next Wednesday morning.
If you remember it was when Desirée destroyed the Goodwood chicane in 2011. The hole is the wooden stake that narrowly missed transfixing her. Your company built my C-type, converted my D-type to an XKSS, and I have bought several D-types through you. Yesterday We were chatting about the car and I sent him some photos I took at the first Revival in 1998 when it was red not pearl. At Chris's request I took photos of your cars at the Classic and will be bringing them over next Wednesday morning.
grumpy52 said:
I am of the school that top end dealer prices and prestige auction prices are not connected to real prices that club members and enthusiasts will pay .
Perhaps in just me, but it seems that "club members and enthusiasts" are looking at the prices that top end dealers are asking and thinking "I'll have some of that" and the ads in the club mags are now asking for top end money without any of the support that you could expect when buying from a reputable dealer.a8hex said:
...without any of the support that you could expect when buying from a reputable dealer.
Not sure what it's like at the stratospheric end of the market, but in the middle, where most cars and most buyers exist, 'reputable dealer' just means they'll have given it a (variably detailed) once over and a quick polish before putting it on the forecourt....which isn't really adding any value that a diligent punter couldn't do themselves, or commission properly from elsewhere...
Not sure what other support you're alluding to?
But they were doing this BEFORE they went under. That's what's strange. They were doing it when they definitely were dealers. I think it's also strange that the CEO, who let's face it left Lotus under a cloud (I've heard from numerous sources in Lotus that he was fired for sending out 250 cars to dealers that they hadn't ordered to inflate profits) gets the gig at JD, starts, as you say, fire selling their stock, the company goes under and he keeps his job. There's definitely a lot more to this whole story I would say which I hope somebody uncovers. It's sad to see such a company being tossed around like a play thing by faceless corporations. I know that's essentially the way the world works but I guess the romantic in me, because of my love of classic cars, would have hoped it wasn't the case. You can bet with all that's happened Hood must seriously regret ever taking the deal in the first place
[/quote]
I’m not sure your information and/or supposition is right. The current CEO wasn’t fired by Lotus at all as evidenced by his continuing relationship with the new owner (Geely).
As for Mr Hood, I have no doubt he’s regretting selling JD but nowhere near as much as those that bought it from him. Romantic notions really don’t apply as time and various legal processes will no doubt reveal.
[/quote]
I’m not sure your information and/or supposition is right. The current CEO wasn’t fired by Lotus at all as evidenced by his continuing relationship with the new owner (Geely).
As for Mr Hood, I have no doubt he’s regretting selling JD but nowhere near as much as those that bought it from him. Romantic notions really don’t apply as time and various legal processes will no doubt reveal.
havoc said:
Not sure what it's like at the stratospheric end of the market, but in the middle, where most cars and most buyers exist, 'reputable dealer' just means they'll have given it a (variably detailed) once over and a quick polish before putting it on the forecourt.
...which isn't really adding any value that a diligent punter couldn't do themselves, or commission properly from elsewhere...
Not sure what other support you're alluding to?
OK, you have certain legal rights if you buy a car from a dealer which you don't have if you buy a car from a member of the public....which isn't really adding any value that a diligent punter couldn't do themselves, or commission properly from elsewhere...
Not sure what other support you're alluding to?
havoc said:
a8hex said:
...without any of the support that you could expect when buying from a reputable dealer.
Not sure what it's like at the stratospheric end of the market, but in the middle, where most cars and most buyers exist, 'reputable dealer' just means they'll have given it a (variably detailed) once over and a quick polish before putting it on the forecourt....which isn't really adding any value that a diligent punter couldn't do themselves, or commission properly from elsewhere...
Not sure what other support you're alluding to?
Nothing wrong with buying privatley if you feel you are expert enough and have the balls to hand over large amounts of money.....if there is little to no difference in price i know where i would be going
Choose your dealer as carefully as you would a wife.
Edited by POORCARDEALER on Tuesday 30th October 15:46
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I largely agree - in practice it maybe so difficult to get legal redress that the benefits become less valuable. However, in an extreme case, if the car turned out to be stolen, for example, I'd be a lot happier trying to get my money back from a dealer than a private person.
Also, there must be some value in some dealers trying to maintain a good name. If they keep ripping people off then word must get about and they must lose trade. Which in its self must be a disincentive to some of them.
So I'd pay extra to buy from the right dealer, but only if I had done research and found them to be well regarded by people who know.
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