Price of the new metal 32 five window announced

There's nothing evil about a business making a lot of profit any more than there is in you making a good wage. Profit and industry are good things. I don't understand people vilifying them.

If the profit is made in some immoral manner, such as using child labor slaves, it is the child slavery that is bad, not the profiting. Or, if you were forced by someone to buy the '32's, then you might have an argument.

Did you think someone was going to make you a '32 just because you want one? No. They do it for profit.

If an employer will pay you more, all other things being equal, you'd be a fool not to go work for him. If there's more profit in stamping out bathtubs, a business would be foolish to stamp out '32's instead. If there's more profit in the '32's, then businesses will make them.

There's nothing evil or bad about an industry making a big profit if they can find someone willing to pay it. If you're not willing, don't vilify the business by saying they're making a profit. That's just dumb. Of course they're making a profit - and as much profit as they can. That's what you and they do for a living.

If all our jobs are going overseas, we should make it more profitable to do business over here.

 

Well said. For the last 10 years I am the owner of a third generation business thats been around for 50 years. I have now worked there 34 years. Nothing was given to me, I learned from the ground up. It still requires alot of effort to keep the business open. The need to produce a quality product, keep the customers and employees happy requires alot of attention. And then after all the investment in time and money you may make a profit. Not may businesses survive the first 5 years.
Watch the news this week the president will be at Master Lock in Milwaukee. He will be touting all the jobs they have brought back from overseas (no thanks to him). Thats the american way!

 

Putting a tariff on overseas products to make things "fair" only raises the prices on everything. It does nothing to lower the price of manufacturing over here.

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to buy an American made '32 for $10,000 instead of having your choice of foreign or domestic at $20,000? Why artificially jack the prices up on foreign made products? Do you like giving most of your money to the government through taxes and tariffs? Do they ever spend it on you without using most of it on themselves?

The answer is not to raise the price of foreign made '32s. The answer is to lower the price of producing them over here. Stop taxing American manufacturers of '32s out the wazoo. Stop suing them for frivolous things. Stop pretending they're hurting the environment if they really aren't.

If all our jobs are going overseas, we should make it more profitable to do business over here, not raise the price of forign '32 5W's with a tariff.

 

I agree.

 

Correct, supply and demand sets the price.

 

Amen brother.

Brand new sheet metal being stamped out and all people can do is gripe. The price is the price. If it's too high, don't buy it.

I made a run at starting a laboratory business from scratch and went a couple years before I had to close the doors. It took every ounce of money and determination I had.

I totally respect those who have the balls to undertake something like this and REALLY admire those who can make a success of it.

 

I bought a Stars and Stripes in shop at the most "All American" place in America, Disney World...made in China ...so was just about every product in every outlet on site.

 

Would everyone typing their posts on an American made computer please raise their hands? I know for a fact that a lot of speed equipment companies were testing the manufacturing waters in Asia and Mexico fifty years ago.

There is nothing wrong with making a profit by producing a product or service that someone else has the choice of purchasing or not.

 

When we had our machine shop our prices were always at the high end for a shop not limiting themselves to race engines only and if someone did not want to pay our rates it was their prerogative to go to another shop. We charged what the market would bear for custom machine work using only the best parts and machining practices. If you can't get paid what the quality of work deserves than you are selling yourself short.

I go to church with and attend a weekly Bible study with someone I have known for a number of years and in the past his shop did some work on my OT vehicles and now I do not use his shop because his price for any given repair is always 20% higher than the shop I usually use and the quality of the work out of my friends shop is no better. I do not fault him for charging more and do not bad mouth his shop about their prices, I just choose to not pay their prices. If his market can support those prices I consider that good business, the prices are just above what I am willing to pay.

So if you do not like the price on the new deuce bodies do not buy them. But do not bash them or whine they are gouging anyone. It will take a long time to recoup their design, prototype, tooling and then the tooling maintenance money and they still have to cover their daily overhead.

To paraphrase a HAMBER'S line- Running a business and making money is easy- Just ask anyone who has never done it.

 

Were I stand is pretty much with the OP’s post #1 except id ad Brookville to the list of greedy.

This whole 32 stuff being higher priced just because the 32 guy will pay it is bull shit.
Im not for dictating what a fair amount of profit should be but I gotta believe if enough of us bitch … the prices would come down.

Like Jeff and I alluded to earlier … the roadster and 3 window have been out for some time now (tooling up must have been covered by now) just look at the price of the 28 to 31 stuff.

As far as this 5 window
The price should come down as the cost of start up is paid for …. Not stay up because some high dollar guy will pay it.

As far as other stuff
Iv seen Mr. Drake himself explain on the Ford Barn ….. That on some stuff like the running boards the machines don’t even exist in the US anymore … he is forced over seas.
Id bet its like that for a bunch of stuff / its just to late already to try and do it here.

 

I am 100% behind Capitalism, It's trade policy I have an issue with,.. We import tons and tons of goods manufactured in China where they don't have the same environmental, labor or governmental restrictions and controls that we have in the U.S.

And if memory serves me right, According to there import laws, Anything sold in China, has to be manufactured in China, I would like to see the US mimic our import laws with the countries we do business with.

Human right activists, labor leaders, environmentalists & safety agency's Don't have a say in other countries. And these groups mentioned, would scream bloody murder at any of these issues and compliance's not being in place here in the US.

But the people that make up the Human right activists, labor leader,environmentalists & safety agency, have no problem buying goods where all these issues are in severe violation, compared to the strict standards of the US..... Let all import goods sold in the US have to be held to the same standards, and lets see how well they can deal with it.

I am fairly certain this thread will be closed soon because of the turn it has taken,. I really don't have an issue of where the parts are stamped, to bring down production cost, But when a company doing that, wants to compete in a market with a company that makes there product from start to finish in the US. and charge close to the same price, regardless of how much they saved on production cost, to an almost 100% US market. Now, that I have a problem with. ( I am fully aware of the 3/W or 5/W issue )
I tried a page back to defuse this, That didn't work, and opinions continually to fly,... so that's mine,.... IMHO.

 

The market will adjust the pricing. If few people buy, the price will come down. If lots buy it'll likely remain the same or go up.

 

Harm, you may be correct about shut down, but I hope not. We're not just rodders, but also citizens in a codependant society and there's lots to learn from these discussions. It's particularly noteworthy here that there has been little hostility in the discussion so far which is a good thing.

Your enumerations of working/production conditions in the US vs those overseas are generally accurate. It appears you're advocating that we some how exert influence/power over them to do what we do. The assumption in that of course is that everything we impose on ourselves is necessary, rational, and reasonable. But is it really? Could it be that we've hamstrung ourselves by over regulation in too many areas. I'm not talking about reasonable regulation such as laws against fraud and the like, but moreso the "feel good" stuff that doesn't have any demonstrable positive outcome. Keep in mind that each regulator obstacle has a cost.....that cost has to be passed on to the consumer for the business provider to survive.....which is followed by the question "Will the consumer be willing to pay for it?" The consumer votes with his dollars, even when the causes for the cost differences aren't clearly visible. I would suggest that the overseas providers probably should up their regulatory game, but that we would benefit competitively if we reduced ours. To put it more bluntly, just because we're too stupid for our own good doesn't mean we should force others to shoot themselves in the foot too.

Just one small example to demonstrate. It's customary in most of this country to pay overtime wages for any hours over a total of 40 in any given week. The exception is California. Within the past few years it became law, with much popular support because it sounds good, that overtime wages be paid if the worker exceeds 8 hours in any given day.......regardless of the total hours for the week. In the same law, comp time was banned as an exchange for overtime. For the local dry cleaner, as an example, they have to live with it because they can't serve their customer base and leave the state at the same time. The cabinet maker however, could move to Nevada, for instance, so as to stay competive. California would lose business taxes, income taxes, and probably many other forms of income. The unemployment figures increase if the workers don't move with the company. So for a "feel good" idea, lots of unintended consequences that are a net negative. Should California try to force all other states to make the same law to eliminate their self imposed negative outcome? Or should they wake up and dump the dumb idea that sounded good in the abstract? There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of similar examples of how we discourage employers in this entire country, we just don't see them easily, but it's a big contributor to why "our jobs get shipped overseas."

A question for 296, and I'm not trying to bust your chops or be a smartass, I'm a free market guy and say you do what you do as you see fit. But your last comment seems odd when it's observed that you charge an approximate 20% premium for your axle dropping service when compared to most of your competitors. You may well be able to justify it by the value you provide, no argument there, it just seems tha you understand premium pricing for yourself, but question others who do something similar. I must be missin something.

 

Capitalism is traditional....

 

So i am wondering, would that make a glass body car an american car and the steel one a IMPORT.?

 

just curious & thinking outloud...why do they brookville coupes and the pacific coupes cost 20k+, when you can buy a new unibody 67-69 camaro or unibody 67-68 mustang fastback body from dynacore for around 14K which there is obviously way more metal and way more structure in the later..

also, one thing that ive never understood is why does a brookville model A roadster cost about 7K and a brookville 32 roadster is 11K,,i know they are a lil bigger, but everything on them starts as a piece of sheetmetal, its not like it has actuall 32 ford parts on it .



.....i know WHY they do that (the pricing) because they CAN... but i can never get past that..

 

Actually my price for what I do is in the middle of the others (that I know of) price.
And a plus (for the customer) that I give freely is most repairs are no charge if your paying for a drop and shipping.

My point was (if you want to compare me) is
The cost of manufacturing things generally go’s down over time …. Electronics for example.

But all this hot rod stuff seams to stay up in the just under that nice original price range zone.

Me the cost of doing my stuff doesn’t change much … in fact it likes to go up - gas prices - my electric bill - fuel for my truck - shipping.
I realize it’s the same for them but over time there start up $$$$$$$ gets paid off <<< thats what I mean by go’s down.

 

Just to be clear,.. I am NOT advocating this in the least. only pointing out that our "Free trade arrangement" does not have a level playing field. What I am an advocate for is for the US to mimic our import laws with the countries we do business with.

If it is owned by any company based in China,.. or if profits are going to a company there, We mimic there Import laws, That the Item or goods be manufactured here in the US (and they to can comply with what our companies have to deal with,.. And scream about the unfair practices),... If this is the restriction on our exported goods to China,.. it should be the same on the imported goods from China.

I also feel we have regulated & restricted our own companies into a choke hold.

 

Bought a pump for my house at Lowes. Brought it back. Girl says"What's wrong with it?" I say"made in China." Girls says,"But whats wrong with it." I say, " Made in China". Went to the supply house across the street and got one made in the USA for like $20 more. Same with American parts on a hot rod. At least it is for some of us.

 

Americans producing a product to be sold to a predominantly American market, should employ Americans to make that product.
Kinda' goes back to the Henry Ford idea of pay workers a decent wage, then those workers will be able to buy the product they are making.
...

 

Here is something to consider.

China is going to be the new world power, the big dog on the block, that role used to belong to the US.

In the near future China will be the world leader in economic and possibly even military power.

Everyone in China wants the lifestyle we in the west have.

As this comes about the billions of people there will want more things and better lives just like us.

When that happens, "Made in China " may not be such a bargain anymore, and they will join the US and the rest of the world looking for the next cheap place where they can exploit people and make stuff for next to nothing.

Maybe just maybe the line of thought might shift and more manufacturing could come back home like many have suggested.

Let's just hope that the shift does not swing all the way around and we become the ones sending stuff over to China while we work like slaves to make it for next to nothing.
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Reprosteel and Jocar are made from the same tools, but its 2 different companies.
Lars

 

Harms,
believe it or not you and I are on the same side, I just do not see U.P. being a competitor too brookville because we are talking about 2 diffren't style of bodies. Myself I would not spend the money on a 3 window, because too me They don't look right when you chop them, the window opening gets too long when you lower the roof IMO. Also as far as me being a U.P dealer that does not effect my opinion in this case at all, As A good close friend of mine is a brookville dealer, And I can get anything I want that they offer at cost as well. I am building a brookville roadster right now. Bottom line for me here is, This is hotrodding and it is my passion, I choose to leave all the politics out of it.....I let myself get roped into arguments sometimes, bottom line for me here is I don't care who makes a brand new 32 five window body, If it is a quailty product and is affordable, thats all that really matters to me. I refuse to let politics ruin my hot rod life style. Also to me 22K is not out of line if it is quailty, Some will say that 22K for a body is crazy, but what I have found is that most that say that are driving a 40-50K pickup, So it really comes down to which would you rather have. Myself I do not drive a new truck, I drive a beater, And spend my would be truck payment on my hot rods.....LOL

 

You guys have turned this into a political argument, And politics SUCK!!.....Hot rods are cool and are what we are here to talk about So before the mods close this thread please take your politics to a political thread!!.....thanks

 

What should have been a good thread on a new product quickly went south to the beat to DEATH usa or china made, politics? even questioning a members prices? As soon as i read the thread title i knew it would go this way. Yes i think we all wish they were abit cheaper, but as previously mentioned if they are too high, and not selling as hoped, they will lower the $$$ or sit and stare at them...jmo.

 

Like many posters here, I prefer to buy predominately American made products. I understand the many desireable benefits of that to our economy.

However, there is a bigger picture in economics that is being overlooked, or not at all understood, by many Americans in general, and some HAMBers in particular. Try cracking open a textbook on Economics and read it instead of the latest car mags or endless hours on this forum.

If every Country strictly abided by the philosphy of only buying what they themselves made, all Countries would be the poorer for the policy. To whom would Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed-Martin etc.. sell to? American flagged carriers and US military purchases won't keep them in business at the levels of employment they now enjoy.

And, where would some of the money come from in those Countries to whom we do export, if not for their earnings from their own exports? There are numerous kinds of equipment, medical in particular, as well as heavy equipment (think Caterpillar), manufactured by American companies who depend on international world trade for their prosperity.

As for the profits that may be made on this repro body, that's nobody's business...none, zip, zilch, nada. Whether they sell it for a 100% profit (absurd, of course, but useful for making a point) or at a susbstantial loss, the only thing that matters is whether or not potential customers are free to decide if it meets their needs and /or tastes, and if it is worth to them the asking price. Period. If it doesn't fulfill any or all of those criteria, so be it......move along. What harm has been done to you in the offer having been made. Realize also that no one OWES you a "deal".

This particular example, a reproduction '32 Ford 5 window coupe, wouldn't make a pimple on a gnats ass is the overall scheme of things. (Yes, I read the previous comment about "grasshoppers on the railroad tracks"..so spare me that one).

Ray

 

The us v china thing has no business here so please stop before the thread gets killed. Its to big of a picture to try and change here anyway / pointless discussion

But what can be changed is the price it high just because I can ... im the only one makin it mentality.
I&#8217;m not naming anymore here and now but there&#8217;s several company&#8217;s in our arena that are just obviously gouging the hell out of us.
I for one would be the first to step up and buy there product if &#8230;&#8230;&#8230;..

 

I'm not buying it...
...

 

Not Political,... My issue is Policy

If any of you want to read the post that I made,... My original concern was about quality,... However, personal opinions started to pile up,... and I am not one that is short on opinions,... Again "IMHO" stands for "In My Humble Opinion"

And IMHO,.. Again this is about Trade policies,... and NOT Politics,.. Potentially 2 totally different issues.

 

^^^^ What he said. Right on Kev.