Geez, how is that for a title?
Paula here from Finish Line.
Most of you know I'm in the process of building a desperately, beyond desperately needed new website. Most of you know that we lost Enzo about (exactly 19 months ago) and of course Enzo was our knowledge guy that knew the car, the parts, the extras, knew what to order, how to explain everything and after we lost him I took a big break from Finish Line and my heart was elsewhere.
A small diversion for Finish Line's story. The cobra industry has changed so much since we started. I guess it was about 20 years ago when Enzo turned 40 and built his first Cobra that he fell in love. At that time Brooklands and Cobra Restorers and the manufacturers and not much else was around. No websites, no forums, nothing. You built your cobra without the help of a forum and made many mistakes. You guys are really really lucky the way you help each other out. I remember Enzo having to buy wheels twice and many other things because of errors he made so a lot of you don't realize the blessing that you have. You don't even have to be afraid to take the plunge as it is all laid out before you.
We worked in a law office at that time and got the connection with Moto-Lita, and like two young anything's possible nuts left good paying jobs so we could start up Finish Line. My motto was you might as well do what your husband wanted since he'd probably do it anyway and you look like the good guy (girl, wife) for going along. You had to advertise in the kit kar magazines to get known and then finally club cobra, ffcobra started to come alive and boom everything took off from there. We attended so many fun events and it was a good chunk of the happiest years of our lives.
We were lucky to be in at the beginning and had one of the first websites and flourished because of it and I'm grateful for all the success we had and that Enzo got to see his company become well known and to have a wonderful reputation in the industry before he died at 59.
Fast forward and you have so many wonderful vendors that have built or supply the parts for your cobras to make your lives easier, that know the parts, the forums, the lingo and help you out. There is room for all here and I have enjoyed working with many of the other vendors and refer many customers to wherever I have to if I know someone is looking for something I don't have. While we don't have Enzo's knowledge we do have customer service, good hearts, want to keep Enzo's legacy going and still enjoy the excitement of the families and people we meet that take up this hobby.
For the new website I have the idea that I would like to use as many of your pictures as possible for the products we sell. If the parts look better on your car rather than just showing the part I think that would be great and if you want us to include your name in the part and we can I will. I would really appreciate any instructions that you have for the parts of ours that you've installed so I can add them as well. I can't tell you how many times people will ask me about the AC Pedals, the trunk prop rods, the bezel kits, the louvers, the emblems and after I've explained I've given them the various websites for detailed instructions and help. Often they call me back and say the forums was the best piece of advice I ever game them. I really need twin fan instructions so whomever does that one I'll give you a gift certificate on top of it.
Enzo gave great instructions. I for instance give girl measurements. I might say 3 inches and 3 little black marks after that. Mercifully the guys laugh and understand me or I may say take a 1/8th inch drill bill and some silicone for that emblem. (I've heard Enzo say that 100 times but I really don't know what a 1/8 inch drill bit is). It may seem foolish to admit your flaws and ask for help but I have found it to be just the opposite in my life and I have good ideas, I've taken to heart many ideas I've received from you guys and would like you to help me realize some of the new ones.
We have made many of our parts and I will continue to make the parts that we have and for years I have used many vendors such as Russ Thompson, Alex Fok, Jeff Whitby and I do business back and forth and I'm hoping to expand that. I never reproduce any items I've received from a vendor which they can attest to and I am in the process of bringing back many of our old items, seats, gauges, valve covers, switches, wiring harnesses.....manuals, books, things that I let go. Besides that I am contacting some of your vendors that mean so much to the industry as they reach all of you and a big market yet I reach a different market so to carry some of their stuff is a win win for all of us. That is also a plan we are implementing at this time. I don't plan to manufacture any of these parts, just increase our line up. I will be returning calls much later than the standard eastern time and at least once on Saturday and Sunday as well.
I welcome all advice, good and constructive. If you send me some pictures we are opening a folder and ask the web master (my son in law, a police forensic sargeant, slooth computer specialist to implement as many as possible) and Jackie and Allie are taking active roles to be personal advocates and help Johnnie for all of you and yes Jackie gives discounts behind our backs even when there isn't a special but after all the items are up again we plan to have many specials so go ahead and ask her.
I feel good again to be working with my heart again at Finish Line and I know it would make Enzo happy.
Thank you for any pictures, instructions, ideas you may have for me. God Bless you all.
Paula Alibrandi
Finish Line
cobra, nardi, moto-lita, mini cooper, ferrari, shifter carts, parts and accessories from Finish Line
Need Your Pictures, Instructions, Help, Ideas
Linear Mode
