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Full Quarter Panels and Door Skins Available - For Real!!

Started by Dodge Don, November 14, 2007, 06:42:31 PM

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Dodge Don

Quote from: Khyron on November 16, 2007, 03:56:38 PM
I stand correct, it is price gouging.. It's just as bad, in the same breath you gave me your little speech in, your backing me up in my statement. It's $2500 panels and such that cause every other mopar part to go through the roof.

SanDiego70RTSE, no matter what I say you're not going to agree, I'm not looking for you to. But in the reverse fashion, Don't expect me to agree with you. The mopar community is whats getting taken advantage on. Not just one person or one persons opinion.

Don, spout off all you want about Camaro Parts. I understand there are more of them, I understand the Market is bigger for them. I don't need a class in your basic business principles. I can respect the cost of tooling and R&D. Steak markets and McDonalds are not the same comparison. Bottom like. they are both Steel. They both take machines to stamp them out. The only difference I see in the company that makes the 2.

Different words, but we're still getting it in the same spot.


I didn't realize I was "spouting" off your emminence.

Please by all means, start up Khyron Industries, produce some body panels, and sell them to the teaming masses for whatever you believe is an altruistic price.

Can I place my orders now.....before you go bankrupt?


694spdRT

I will be curious to see what the shop time is on these quarters to bring them from the box to paint ready condition. At that point it will be more apparent what the actual difference is between these and the previous partial quarters.

Speaking from experience, I spent a considerable amount of time installing the "crap" quarters, as they are being called, on my car. Honestly, I did not keep a daily log on the time it took me and I didn't work at professional speed. Conservatively, I would say it took 40 hours per side of cutting, welding, grinding, and body filler preparation. This only cost me materials as my time was free.

At that point I turned it over to my body shop friend who spent about 20 hours per side putting on the finishing body filler and three applications of high build primer and blocking to get the panels straight and crispen up the body line.

So, in my case I have approximately 60 hours in each quarter. This may be more or less than others but it is what my car took. Depending on shop rates and what it is going to take to get the new full quarters paint ready will ultimately tell how expensive they are. The main thing I like is that there is not an 8ft weld running down a car with these new quarters on. What that is worth is up to the individual but, it would be worth something to me.

On a similar note...I wonder how the sales of the full quarters for the E bodies are going. Guys were begging for those and they are in that $600 price range.   
1968 Charger 383 auto
1969 Charger R/T 440 4 speed
1970 Charger 500 440 auto
1972 Challenger 318
1976 W200 Club Cab 4x4 400 auto 
1978 Ramcharger 360 auto
2001 Durango SLT 4.7L (daily driver)
2005 Ram 2500 4x4 Big Horn Cummins Diesel 6 speed
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7 Hemi

Blakcharger440

Quote from: RD on November 15, 2007, 02:15:43 PM
from what i have read, the guy is a standup feller.  He does provide an excellent product (as per DodgeDon's review).  He has hit an area of the market that has not been adequately addressed and is well needed by the mopar community

BUT...

these quarters are made for a select few of the mopar community who can afford such an extravagance.  Imagine how many more he would sell if he would just lower the price?  In the long run, he would make more money.

The math:

Sell 20 each year at 2500 = 50,000 USD

Sell 100 each year at 1500 = 150,000 USD

Sell 250 each year at 1000 = 250,000 USD

Sell 400 each year at 750 = 300,000 USD

Sell 500 each year at 600 = 300,000 USD

how many would you buy at $600 each?

Yep I also agree with your business logic RD. Its cool that they are making the parts but they have definitely priced them out of the market for the majority of the people who are in this hobby. I wouldnt hesistate to say probably 95% of the guys who restore these cars will not be buying $2500 quarter panels.

I also need a pair of quarters for my 70 Charger 500 as it has lower quarter rust and I would like to replace the whole quarter, but I will not be buying any at that price either.

Bottom line it is their business and for all I know they could raise the price to $10,000 each and make huge money!


69bronzeT5

Quote from: 694spdRT on November 16, 2007, 07:54:30 PM
Speaking from experience, I spent a considerable amount of time installing the "crap" quarters, as they are being called, on my car.

How much are the crap quarters :scratchchin:
Feature Editor for Mopar Connection Magazine
http://moparconnectionmagazine.com/



1969 Charger: T5 Copper 383 Automatic
1970 Challenger R/T: FC7 Plum Crazy 440 Automatic
1970 GTO: Black 400 Ram Air III 4-Speed
1971 Charger Super Bee: GY3 Citron Yella 440 4-Speed
1972 Charger: FE5 Red 360 Automatic
1973 Charger Rallye: FY1 Top Banana 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Road Runner: FE5 Red 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Duster: FC7 Plum Crazy 318 Automatic

Khyron

Quote from: Dodge Don on November 16, 2007, 05:50:33 PM

I didn't realize I was "spouting" off your emminence.

Please by all means, start up Khyron Industries, produce some body panels, and sell them to the teaming masses for whatever you believe is an altruistic price.

Can I place my orders now.....before you go bankrupt?


I prefer sire instead of eminence thank you. Frankly I'm insulted, I'm sure I can come up with a better name then "Khyron Industries"

"Unlimited Solutions Under Khyron" or U.S.U.K for short.

or even

"Better Industries To Every Mopar Enthusiast" or B.I.T.E.M.E.   :smilielol:

yeah, I like that one better.


Before reading my posts please understand me by clicking
HERE, HERE, AND HERE.

694spdRT

Quote from: 69bronzeT5 on November 16, 2007, 08:33:33 PM
Quote from: 694spdRT on November 16, 2007, 07:54:30 PM
Speaking from experience, I spent a considerable amount of time installing the "crap" quarters, as they are being called, on my car.

How much are the crap quarters :scratchchin:

They are $200-300 per side depending on where you get them plus shipping of course. Year One, Paddock, Dante's, Mega Parts, etc. For the record I don't think they are crap and they have been used on many cars. Just keep in mind they are far from perfect and will need considerable body work.
1968 Charger 383 auto
1969 Charger R/T 440 4 speed
1970 Charger 500 440 auto
1972 Challenger 318
1976 W200 Club Cab 4x4 400 auto 
1978 Ramcharger 360 auto
2001 Durango SLT 4.7L (daily driver)
2005 Ram 2500 4x4 Big Horn Cummins Diesel 6 speed
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7 Hemi

Blakcharger440

Quote from: 694spdRT on November 16, 2007, 08:48:26 PM
Quote from: 69bronzeT5 on November 16, 2007, 08:33:33 PM
Quote from: 694spdRT on November 16, 2007, 07:54:30 PM
Speaking from experience, I spent a considerable amount of time installing the "crap" quarters, as they are being called, on my car.

How much are the crap quarters :scratchchin:

They are $200-300 per side depending on where you get them plus shipping of course. Year One, Paddock, Dante's, Mega Parts, etc. For the record I don't think they are crap and they have been used on many cars. Just keep in mind they are far from perfect and will need considerable body work.

I will also be buying the "crap" quarters! :smilielol:

hemi-hampton

Since I restore Mopars these new 1/4's are good news for me, Will make my job much easier. Unfortunately, The customers I get seem to think that for $5,000 they should get there rust bucket basket case a rotisseried 100 point show car for that Price. How can I tell these type of people that for $5,000 all you are getting is 2  1/4's, In a Box, Not installed. LEON.

69bronzeT5

Quote from: Blakcharger440 on November 16, 2007, 08:54:50 PM
Quote from: 694spdRT on November 16, 2007, 08:48:26 PM
Quote from: 69bronzeT5 on November 16, 2007, 08:33:33 PM
Quote from: 694spdRT on November 16, 2007, 07:54:30 PM
Speaking from experience, I spent a considerable amount of time installing the "crap" quarters, as they are being called, on my car.

How much are the crap quarters :scratchchin:

They are $200-300 per side depending on where you get them plus shipping of course. Year One, Paddock, Dante's, Mega Parts, etc. For the record I don't think they are crap and they have been used on many cars. Just keep in mind they are far from perfect and will need considerable body work.

I will also be buying the "crap" quarters! :smilielol:


I agree. I just dont have 5k to put out for quarters. Thats like half my budget.
Feature Editor for Mopar Connection Magazine
http://moparconnectionmagazine.com/



1969 Charger: T5 Copper 383 Automatic
1970 Challenger R/T: FC7 Plum Crazy 440 Automatic
1970 GTO: Black 400 Ram Air III 4-Speed
1971 Charger Super Bee: GY3 Citron Yella 440 4-Speed
1972 Charger: FE5 Red 360 Automatic
1973 Charger Rallye: FY1 Top Banana 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Road Runner: FE5 Red 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Duster: FC7 Plum Crazy 318 Automatic

paironines

I've used only one of the "crap" quarters and it really did turn out well, they are just time consuming and not as desirable as replacing the quarter at the factory location.    I'm surprised noone has asked about AMD pricing or when those panels are supposed to be out.

Khyron

Quote from: paironines on November 16, 2007, 11:30:21 PM
I've used only one of the "crap" quarters and it really did turn out well, they are just time consuming and not as desirable as replacing the quarter at the factory location.    I'm surprised noone has asked about AMD pricing or when those panels are supposed to be out.

we have, and they will be considerably cheaper according to them. They are being machined over seas. Time will tell.


Before reading my posts please understand me by clicking
HERE, HERE, AND HERE.

Dodge Don

Quote from: Khyron on November 16, 2007, 08:37:52 PM
Quote from: Dodge Don on November 16, 2007, 05:50:33 PM

I didn't realize I was "spouting" off your emminence.

Please by all means, start up Khyron Industries, produce some body panels, and sell them to the teaming masses for whatever you believe is an altruistic price.

Can I place my orders now.....before you go bankrupt?


I prefer sire instead of eminence thank you.

Jackanapes seems more appropriate.

rlushia

Hello guys

I sit back and read these posts and I really don't know what to say. I have posted on here about three times and explained the direction I am taking with Classic Body Designs Inc. I understand the things you are all saying and where you are coming from. I can only tell you the truth. I  am  shipping the quarters and door skins at this point and I have them in stock. I made a commitment to myself and to the customers I have had since I bought the business that I  would only sell what I have in my inventory and not sell on what I might be coming out with in the future. I have figures like $500. a quarter and I can tell you that won't happen. It is not that I wouldnt love to sell you them at prices like that but it can,t be done. In all the research done and I have had the understanding that what was needed was a quality product with the correct contours and lines. It was important that the gauge of steel was correct and that these parts were made and shipped in the USA. I have the parts  in stock and you are starting to see posts from some people that have purchased, recieved and had thier people evaluate them and are happy with the results. I have sold quite a few sets so far and the feedback I am getting is very positive and something I am proud of. I don't know what more I can do as far as product is concerned. I would also like to address the pricing issue. I have heard the figure $2,495.00 flying around and I will admit that is the retail price for a quarter. The retail price was the price that was set on the panels when I purchased the company. I have been on here and read the posts and tried to respond to this several times. I have invited each and everyone on you to come to the Detroit area to see  them made. If you get her I will take you on a plant tour of the production and the packaging of the product and it will give you some idea of the expense of doing these panels right. Getting back to the pricing I have also responded to several posts that suggested that I have a group buy in price. I am all for that but like you asked for it has  to be a group pricing. If I was able to get a group buy in I could come up with a better price but I have not seen any one take the reigns and organize this. I have also offered you as individuals to call me and lets talk and see what we can come up with. I welcome the chance to discuss these and any issues  or ideas any  of you might have. I have talked to many of you so far and found the ones I have chatted with to be very intelligent knowledgable people. I am learning a little from each of you that I have talked to and thank you for that.   I again will ask as I have from the first post I posted that you only have to call me and talk with me. If the guys that have already done that will back me up I am sure they will say I am not that bad of guy.  I can't compare or rate anyone elses product and wouldn't do that if I could, I can only say that I feel good about what I have available. Give me a call lets chat.

Ron Lushia
Classic Body Designs Inc.

Dodge Don

Quote from: xs29j8Bullitt on November 15, 2007, 06:35:03 PM
Quote from: Dodge Don on November 15, 2007, 03:34:19 PM
The shipping wasn't bad at all. I believe it cost me $210 for shipping all in. They were shipped by truck and I got the quarters within a week of placing the order.  :2thumbs:

WOW, great service after all the bad rumors that have been hearing since the Hardcore days...

Maybe they are in the running for my Charger 500 needs afterall, although at $2500 a side I might just get the driver's side which is in worse shape.  Were the quarter panels just shipped in padding (no crate)?  More pictures during installation & feedback from you bodyshop guy please.  My C500 is leaving to the paint & body shop on Tuesday...

Thanks for the post!

Allen

Allen,

The quarters were shipped individually, each had a crate bottom and the boxes had 4" foam all around them. Shop said they were very well packed & protected.When they shipped to me they provided me the tracking numbers so I could track delivery, through customs all the way.

:2thumbs:

xs29j8Bullitt

Quote from: Dodge Don on November 23, 2007, 06:00:37 PM
Allen,

The quarters were shipped individually, each had a crate bottom and the boxes had 4" foam all around them. Shop said they were very well packed & protected.When they shipped to me they provided me the tracking numbers so I could track delivery, through customs all the way.

:2thumbs:

I talked to Ron and ordered a pair of the 1969 Charger quarter panels for my Charger 500.  I believe that they were going to be shipped on Wednesday (11/21), but have not received confirmation or a tracking number.  The restoration shop picked up the C500 on Tuesday, and I decided to "pull the trigger" on these and see how it works out.

Looking forward to any pictures & input from your body guy on the installation.  The installation on the C500 is probably 3-4 months away...

Thanks for the reply...

Allen
After 8 years of downsizing, whats left...
1968 Charger R/T, Automatic, 426 Hemi
1968 Polara 4Dr Sdn, Automatic, 440 Magnum
1968 Polara 4Dr HT, Automatic, 383
1969 Charger 500, 4 Speed, 440 Magnum
1969 Daytona, Automatic, 440 Magnum
1969 Road Runner, 4 Speed, 426 Hemi
1970 `Cuda, Automatic, 440-6BBL
1970 Challenger T/A, Automatic, 340 6 Pack
2004 Ram, Automatic, 5.7L Hemi
2009 Challenger SRT8, Automatic, 6.1L Hemi
<This Space Reserved for a 2016 Challenger SRT Hellcat, 8Sp Automatic,

rlushia

Hi again guys

I am glad to see some posts from guys that have purchased my quarters and door skins. I am also glad that they are as nice as I was hoping they would be and strived for. I have tried to work with you guys on a personal level as quite a few of you can attest to. I would love to have my panels on all your cars lol , but do understand they are a little out of some of the budget ranges you have set. I still maintain that it might be worth the call to me so we can chat and work out a program for your needs. I am not sure why someone hasnt taken the lead here and become a spokesman for the group and the volume would give me a lot more to work with. I have been approach my a larger distributor interested in marketing my panels but I hesitate because I dont feel that would make the prices and lower and may even get them higher. I have the ability to adjust them a little on personal level or through group of you guys on the forum. I dont think the big distributors come on the forum and consider each individual need. I may be the way for me to go  but I kind of hate the thought of someone losing out on doing there car because they  are a few dollars off from having enough to do it right.   Help me out with this guys  tell me if I am right in my thinking or if I should go the other route.I hope to hear from you and don't forget to give me a call . I have met some  great people on here so far and and learning a lot myself.      :cheers: :cheers:     Ron Lushia Classic Body Designs Inc.

69bronzeT5

Quote from: rlushia on November 24, 2007, 12:13:11 AM
but do understand they are a little out of some of the budget ranges you have set.

2 quarter panels...thats half my budget :smilielol:. Sounds like a lot of the guys are happy with the quality. Keep up the good work Ron! :2thumbs: :cheers:
Feature Editor for Mopar Connection Magazine
http://moparconnectionmagazine.com/



1969 Charger: T5 Copper 383 Automatic
1970 Challenger R/T: FC7 Plum Crazy 440 Automatic
1970 GTO: Black 400 Ram Air III 4-Speed
1971 Charger Super Bee: GY3 Citron Yella 440 4-Speed
1972 Charger: FE5 Red 360 Automatic
1973 Charger Rallye: FY1 Top Banana 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Road Runner: FE5 Red 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Duster: FC7 Plum Crazy 318 Automatic

Charger_Fan

Quote from: rlushia on November 24, 2007, 12:13:11 AM
I am not sure why someone hasnt taken the lead here and become a spokesman for the group and the volume would give me a lot more to work with.
I'll try to answer that.
Mainly, it's to do with the dollar amount involved. Around here, it's hard enough to get enough people commited to buy even a t-shirt or hat, let alone something that costs as much as these quarters do. :) If a lot more members here were in the financial position to be able to say "yes, I will buy a pair", we could easily gather enough interest to do a group buy...Lord knows there's enough members here with projects that will need them. :lol:

As I read your two posts above, I tried to imagine myself in your place & have come to a new understanding. You've taken a personal risk in providing a product that will fill a void & in turn will definitely help the hobby, for that you should be thanked. I'd like to offer my apology for being presumptious about pricing in my earlier posts in this thread. :-\  As a guy who tries to wholeheartedly to support American entrepreneurs whenever I possibly can, I'd love to purchase some of your quarters if I could...hopefully I will be able to down the road. :)

Thanks for being a helping part of the Charger hobby. :cheers:

The Aquamax...yes, this bike spent 2 nights underwater one weekend. (Not my doing), but it gained the name, and has since become pseudo-famous. :)

bzabodyn

Ron,

My '69 hemi charger just went to American Classic Cars in Conroe, TX for full rotisserie resto - they mentioned they have a connection to getting these quarter panels, but mentioned the $2495/each pricing - since I don't think there is any other vendor currently providing these, I'm assuming they are talking about you... so if you receive an order from them in the next couple of weeks, I just wanted to let you know that it is from me, a board member on here... so take good care of them!!!

As far as this discussion is concerned, I do agree that these are probably somewhat overpriced, but supply and demand coupled with what has to be sky-high upfront R&D costs is a son-of-a-bitch... but when the AMD panels do come out (if their price is what they have promised) then the accessiblity to everyone is there and these panels will have to come down in price to be marketable... what that new $$$ is, who knows?

I just know I need these and they are available NOW vs. having to wait and speculate on a shipping date on the AMD ones... it might be a hefty price to pay, but for me, it is what it is....

Brandon Z.
1969 Dodge Charger R/T - 426 HEMI/4 speed/Track Pack

bzabodyn

AMD has said if they come back perfect the first time from tooling they could be ready as early as Jan/early Feb, but if there are fitment issues and/or other quality issues, then that timeframe would be expanded further out...

I've heard the $800 figure thrown around for the AMD quarters as well...

BZ
1969 Dodge Charger R/T - 426 HEMI/4 speed/Track Pack

Dodge Don

Quote from: bzabodyn on November 24, 2007, 05:29:59 PM
Ron,

My '69 hemi charger just went to American Classic Cars in Conroe, TX for full rotisserie resto - they mentioned they have a connection to getting these quarter panels, but mentioned the $2495/each pricing - since I don't think there is any other vendor currently providing these, I'm assuming they are talking about you... so if you receive an order from them in the next couple of weeks, I just wanted to let you know that it is from me, a board member on here... so take good care of them!!!

As far as this discussion is concerned, I do agree that these are probably somewhat overpriced, but supply and demand coupled with what has to be sky-high upfront R&D costs is a son-of-a-bitch... but when the AMD panels do come out (if their price is what they have promised) then the accessiblity to everyone is there and these panels will have to come down in price to be marketable... what that new $$$ is, who knows?

I just know I need these and they are available NOW vs. having to wait and speculate on a shipping date on the AMD ones... it might be a hefty price to pay, but for me, it is what it is....

Brandon Z.

Brandon, if yours are like mine you'll be very pleased.

AMD told me the quarters would be ready in October quite awhile ago.....obviously not the case. I too went with a sure thing vs speculation regardless of the prices being thrown around.


rick.d

 $2500 for such a key part of your car to be factory perfect/correct isnt that bad. would you be able to machine and build an engine of decent quality for that? NO. I would rather pay $2500 for a 1/4 panel if i needed it, then $14k  for a hemi. Or try to replace my panel with a patch panel or whatever else is out there on the market right now, and have the lines not come out quite  right, or rust out in three years as someone posted.
Seems to me i hear more complaints about the current panels out there  because they suck, (but not the price)  Now the full panels are out and the quality is great but the price sucks. I personally think its expensive but worth it in the end, and is the way to go. I will just have to put another $2500 into my car and add about a year until its done. I think when its done it will be one of the best improvements i will have made to the car.

hemi-hampton

Ron, you should contact Sherman & Associates about being a dealer/distributor for you, They are one of the biggest sheet metal suppliers in Detroit Michigan & all of U.S.A. They been around since early 80's. Your price may not have to come down whe AMD comes out with there 1/4's if there 1/4's are poor fitting garbage. But if they are just as good as yours may be a problem but for some reason I dont think they will be as nice. Good luck. LEON.

rob9593

Price will be prohibitive for most guys, nevertheless it's great that these quarters are nice and we finally have some options.....

Personally, I still have time, so I'm waiting for the AMD panels which should be ready for sale by February at $700ish....The big difference in price is that the AMD panels are manufactured in China. Regardless of what some of you guys think, I'm confident the quality on these panels will be just as good...

If AMD wasn't in the mix, I would have already bought the Classic Body panel

gordo1968charger

Quote from: Dodge Don on November 15, 2007, 03:01:11 PM
Quote from: 69bronzeT5 on November 15, 2007, 01:35:44 AM
Quote from: NMike on November 15, 2007, 01:30:06 AM
each or pair? :popcrn:

EACH!!! :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

Fact of life #1:  This hobby is expensive.

Fact of life #2:  You get what you pay for.

true that,specially if you live in england and have to pay shipping and import duty as well (£550 shipping and duty on a strange dana60($1100) BUT ITS NO GOOD BEING THE RICHEST MAN IN THE GRAVEYARD EITHER)

68 charger+4 kids=2 jobs