AN E-MAIL FROM CLASSIC BODY DESIGNS

[TripleBlackGator]

In case anyone is interested I received this e-mail from Classic Body & Design today. I saw their work at the Nationals. Picture below.

Welcome to Classic Body Designs, Inc.



We are excited to announce the release of the Quarter Panels for the 1968, 1969, and 1970 Dodge Charger. Full production of all body panels for these three Charger model years is currently in progress. We are proud that these body panels are made in America. Each and every body panel is correctly manufactured, with crisp and clean contour lines. The 18-gauge steel is the same quality and thickness as the original body panels. Our packaging for each body panel is the best and safest in the industry, ensuring that every piece reaches its destination in perfect condition.



The Quarter Panels for all three model years are ready for shipping now, and the Door Panels will be available for distribution September 7, 2007. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $2495.00 for each Quarter Panel. We are also offering a Distributor Program. Plant tours of our production facility are available to anyone interested in being a distributor to see our quality craftsmanship.



Please call us at 248-624-5952 to place your order, or to find out more about our Distributor Program. We accept Visa, Master Card, bank wire transfers, and American Express with prior authorization.



We look forward to being your classic body panel supplier and building a relationship with you.




Sincerely,
Ron Lushia
President

Classic Body Designs, Inc.
123 E. Walled Lake Drive
Walled Lake, MI 48390
cell. 248.767.9029
tel. 248.624.5952
fax. 248.624.5953
e-mail. ron@classicbodydesigns.com

Their web site is www.classicbodydesigns.com but it's not much to look at yet.

[moparguy01]

they look pretty good, but how many 1/4s do they expect to sell for almost 2500 a peice? Good lord.

[Nacho-RT74]

The Quarter Panels for all three model years are ready for shipping now, and the Door Panels will be available for distribution September 7, 2007. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $2495.00 for each Quarter Panel. We are also offering a Distributor Program. Plant tours of our production facility are available to anyone interested in being a distributor to see our quality craftsmanship.

I hope that price is just a misstype

[hemi-hampton]

To me & from what I know this sure Seems like Hardcore Racing of Flint with just a new name. Way to many coincedence's & similarities. LATER.

[Charger-Bodie]

To me & from what I know this sure Seems like Hardcore Racing of Flint with just a new name. Way to many coincedence's & similarities. LATER.

..................................

[jaak]

2500 each? These folks aren't trying to help the hobby, they are trying to rape hobbiest! Hmmmmm, 2500 quarter, or 200 skin, I'll go for the skin anyday.

Jason

[moparguy01]

for 2500 I'd make mine by hand. haha

[Nacho-RT74]

If you think ORIGINAL MOPAR RESTO challenger quarters are around $600...  a little bit insane...

[bull]

I hope those who are balking at the price are not the same ones who gripe about how every other body part is cheap, thin, Chinese-made crap and to not buy it because we need to support the American worker. Can't have it both ways apparently.

[Silver R/T]

work seems to be very nice quality but I won't be buying a $2500 quarter anytime soon. I bought my whole Charger for less than that a few years back

[Judhudson]

My own curosity got to me...I did do some digging to see if this is somehow related to "Hardcore Racing"......and yes, you are correct, hemi-hampton, it is.

======================

This is what I found:

Did a "Whois" lookup on the new domain -
Domain name: CLASSICBODYDESIGNS.COM

Administrative Contact:
    Lushia, Ron 
    123 E. Walled Lake Drive
    Walled Lake, MI 48390 US

======================

I googled the name, and guess what the first result was....

HARDCORE RACING INC. B2B SALES TEAM

Ron Lushia – Sales Manager

With over thirty years in the automotive aftermarket industry, Ron enjoys taking projects from start to finish, whether it be dealer uptakes, performance upgrades or any of the technical services offered by Hardcore Racing. Off the job he takes pleasure in spending time with the love of his life and his best friend--his wife, who always gets "highest priority" attention.


======================


I would be VERY careful with this guy and company as of now...

[69bronzeT5]

Hmmmmm, 2500 quarter, or 200 skin, I'll go for the skin anyday.

Jason

Same but I got sort of a stupid question...whats the difference

[Badbob]

I have a pair of mint 69 skins in the Seattle area, $400 for the pair, save on the shipping from back east, I'll opt for the full qtrs for my car, they will be cheaper in a year.


Bob

[jaak]

T5, these new quarters for 2500 are complete factory style quarter, they skins are just outside of the quarter, like any of the repops you see in year one, paddock ,tec.

[Khyron]

they can take those quarters and shove em up the ol pooper.

$2500 

[69bronzeT5]

T5, these new quarters for 2500 are complete factory style quarter, the skins are just outside of the quarter, like any of the repops you see in year one, paddock ,tec.

Sorry to sorta high jack this thread but just a question, so what would be the best thing to use to fix this mess??? Sorry for the crappy pics...I had to take them off my old website about my car. Im not at home..thats where all my pics are...on the computer there.

[Lowprofile]

If I was bringing a high value Charger back from the dead, well that price is not so bad. On the other hand, If I was just repairing my "Driver" I would just opt for the "China-skins". 

[Old Moparz]

Both quarters on my Scamp are the skins that aren't made in the USA. They aren't perfect, but they look decent. Am I happy with them? For what I paid I am very content. I bought them at Carlisle one year from Auto Body Specialties, & paid $250 for the pair, which included a show discount with no shipping fees. Instead though, I decided to drive the 90 minutes from where I live in NY to their place in CT so I could pick the best pair they had personally. I saw the ones they were dragging around the shows, & they were dinged up a bit so I passed on them.

Also at the time, I found a pair of NOS quarters for $1500 & decided that if I bought them, The cost of body work & paint would be more than what the car was worth. I'm not into this hobby for a profit, but I still can't justify spending beyond the value like that. I posted before that I don't care how good the made in the USA quarters are, they just aren't worth $5000 to me. I still say that they won't sell many, & to be competitive, they'd have to be in the same price range as Goodmark at $600 each.

I won't even get into how they tarnished their name by screwing around & missing the shipping dates & ignoring emails & phone calls. They'll have to rely on swap meet sales with a cash & carry poilcy now to get back in good graces.

By the way, here's what aftermarket skins for $250 a pair look like.

[hemi-hampton]

Yeah, Just as I thought, Now Dodge Don from Toronto knows who to contact about his $5,000 1/4 panels he bought & paid for but never got or received, Just received the blow off treatment & cold shoulder, No way to run a Business. Plus those that say not a bad price, Why not just wait to buy them from AMD for $600+ when they come out? As far as I know since I put their protype/test panels on the test mule 67 Camaro that the same Company that makes these Camaro 1/4's sell them through Goodmark for $400, Thats for a complete full NOS type 69 Camaro hardtop 1/4 panel. These are made right here in USA, 5 miles down the road from me here in Detroit, Very high Quality with factory fit & seemed like the thicker 18 gauge when I had it in my hands. As far as I know this is the same company making the Charger 1/4's. SO, The point I'm getting at is if they can make a high quality USA made full 1/4 for $400 for the Camaro then why not the Charger? Yeah, I know they'll sell more Camaro 1/4 then Chargers but will they actually sell 6 times more Camaro 1/4s to justify the 6 times more price increase? ALSO, Yes we can have it both ways USA Quality at a $400 price, or even $600 or $800, The Camaro guys have it both ways. LEON.

[69charger2002]

couldn't agree more. i have tried to argue the fact of why mustang and camaro guys get to restore their cars so much cheaper. it's just not fair. sure they sell more camaro 1/4's than charger ones.. but 6 times the price is just ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. look up a mustang front valance on ebay, then a 68-69 charger valance.. 5 times the price... $5000 a pair for part of a mopar body isn't financially sensible.. for 98% of charger restorers. but yet they will be the first ones to bitch when they only sell 2 pair.. and say it's our fault. they make the products we complain about. but we don't buy.. hmm
trav