Latest on Lubinski?

[computerworks]

The 'scoop' was on the SAAC website this a.m.

also:

...AC AutoKraft has also been appointed as an official factory approved AC restoration center and will be undertaking all types of restoration work on AC heritage product.

[Steve Cassani]

They're first task will be to complete assembly of the sixth Daytona Coupe. Or was it the seventh? I'm so confused....

[xlr8or]

I wonder why they left Unique Performance off of Brents background??

[1ntCobra]

Isn't this a couple weeks too late for an april fools joke?

[What'saCobra?]

i have had the reasonable fortune to have met Mitchell at his home in CT and found him to be eminently pleasant, sensible and forthright.

The WACO aircraft he builds in limited production in Michigan is simply the best ever built, bar none and is outstanding in every way. i could easily believe that many WACO buyers have the identical demographics of high-line Cobra buyers. Did get a chance to drive his Cobra and it was also quite perfect. The timing was not correct for me to grab a WACO and the opportunity, if not the dream, has not yet matured.

But, given the Fenimore connection, there is very little doubt that Mitchell is not fully informed regarding the need to OWN the AC logo outright, before making important investments with any entity or person connected with it, although Fenimore might gloss over a few details here or there one might suppose.

i am not obligated any more than anyone else to advise either about the inherent risks of partnerships with AC-logoed products, services or representations. Nor am i particularly over-qualified to do so.

But IMHO, ignoring all that, WACO would seem to me to be enough to keep one's interest in life. The later bi-plane looked great last week at the EAA Sun & Fun convention. M's drive for quality is of the highest order and WACO's customer service and reputation is to be envied in the industry. They ain't cheap, but what quality is? Current WACO's are magnificent. Period.

Just like Kirkhams, a comparison i do not make either lightly or without thought about both companies, managements and products.

Maybe there is much more to this than we yet know. Until much more is revealed, i just cannot see M getting fleas over another pipe-dream, even if Fenimore is involved.

---------------
Only somewhat facetiously, i recall the left's arguments against the reality of obviously failed Communism. They would claim it will really work, but it just hasn't been installed in enough countries world wide. Once that was done, it will all work. Naturally, i didn't believe that then in Bezerkley any more than now.

Similarly, i have heard from a few quarters that "if only" the various post-Angliss AC projects were "adequately" capitalized and funded, they "could've been contenders". Sorry, but i believe inherent in the principal ownership, in my opinion, are certain habits and attitudes that are antithical to good form and practice. Given those inherencies, there isn't sufficient capital in the known free world to make that bumblebee fly.

But, perhaps i am misinformed and somewhere in a galaxy far away...

[Excaliber]

...official factory approved AC...

What FACTORY could that possibly be?

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by What'saCobra?

although Fenimore might gloss over a few details here or there one might suppose.

Ya think????

And has he met A.L.?

[JBo]

Apparently on two continents:

Posted - 21 April 2008 : 19:32:41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

quote:
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Originally posted by jbottini

AC Cars to be Manufactured in Michigan
...
Monday, April 21 2008
...Acedes Holdings, LLC (“AC Cars”) has today announced that it will be manufacturing certain derivatives of its heritage product in the USA. The vehicles will be manufactured by its manufacturing partner, AC AutoKraft, LLC.(“AC AutoKraft”)
...
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Well spotted, Jim, but what about this then?

London, April 22, 2008:

Acedes Holdings, LLC, owner of the AC brand ("AC"), announces a manufacturing partnership with Brooklands Motor Company. Brooklands Motor Company is licensed as the sole UK agent for the manufacture, sales and service of AC Historic vehicles. Steve Gray, Brooklands Proprietor, and his team are renowned as the most experienced in the AC brand in the UK, many with 25 years experience with the marque. - Their fleet of Cobra demonstrators Include 427 SC - 289 FIA - 289 roadster - CRS - And Ken Rudd’s Pioneer Ruddspeed Ace. Brooklands Motor Company has been located in Jack Brabham’s former workshops in Weybridge for the past two decades and is in the process of restoring an additional facility located in the old member’s restuarant at the top of the test hill at Brooklands. The Brooklands circuit, dating back to 1907, is seen as the home of motor racing and where AC set many records and gained race trophies, it is therefore an ideal setting for ”New Era" venture and a new home for AC Heritage. When complete this facility will act as a working museum. The general public and potential customers will be able to visit the site and witness the craftsmen manufacturing the hand formed body panels on the original body jigs. Also a "Centre of Excellence” youth Academy scheme is included for school leavers and apprentices.

The continuation series of the original AC Ace, the AC MK11, the AC MK11 FIA and the AC MK111 will be manufactured. All manufacturing, restoration and servicing of AC heritage products are AC factory approved. The facility will include historic AC items and records, and displays. There will be a comprehensive store of spare parts and merchandise available.
Brooklands, on behalf of AC, have recently supported a number of events including the AC garage the Goodwood Revival event, a motoring celebration of the Queen’s 80th birthday at Buckingham Palace, and an AC display at the centenary celebrations of Brooklands circuit plus a display and test drives of AC cars at the Wings and Wheels event at Dunsfold Aerodrome. AC and Brooklands will be at Brooklands Motoring Festival 2008 28/29th June and Wings and Wheels at Dunsfold on 24th August.

Congratulations to Steve Gray("AC Heritage" here on the ACOC forum).

[Power Surge]

What I want to know, is where do all these news publications get this info from? Does Luby spend all day making calls to announce bogus AC news info? Maybe if he spent less time on press releases and more time on building an attractive car (that's TWO things there... building them, and making them attractive), we'd see some actual progress.

[nikbj68]

Well, it`s only fair that you quote my quote that I found from your link JBO!!!
Sal, The above are press releases from the "AC AutoKraft" website.

Originally Posted by Excaliber

What FACTORY could that possibly be?

D`you know, I was wondering that, too.

[1ntCobra]

Maybe Lubinski has finally figured out that if he just licenses the AC name, someone else will be able to produce the cars. Seeing as when he is actually responsible for getting them built, he just gets himself in trouble.

[JBo]

Guys, I think I was had on the UK deal, cjheck the date and the "Marty Mcfly" item. Jbo

[What'saCobra?]

Jes' gonna' be mo'fokes in the posse.

[JBo]

Both press releases appear genuine!

[nikbj68]

Originally Posted by JBo

Guys, I think I was had on the UK deal, check the date and the "Marty Mcfly" item. Jbo

Originally Posted by nikbj68 on ACOC forum

Should he be building Deloreans though?

With thanks to Marty McFly for delivering this message dated tomorrow, 22nd April!

Yeah, that was me, pokin` fun at a probable 'fingerphart'... I don`t think that you`re the sucker in this tale, J.

[JBo]

thanks for the explanation

[Mark IV]

"Loosey, you gots some splainin' to do!!!"

Taking bets now, good odds. How many cars will "AC Cars 20XX" build before they move to Pantagonia or Tiera Del Fuego? I understand there is a fully equipped "factory" in Alice Springs available (Oops, forgot, A.L. already tried Oz some years back with "backing" from Volkswagen Credit Australia and propane powered sports cars)

I feel bad for the WACO aircraft guy, he builds neat biplanes but he does not understand the business model, he ACTUALLY delivers a quality product!

I guess I will never be surprised by the lack of "due diligence" that Luby seems to attract.........................

[fastraxsg]

Guess this means Toto isn't leaving Kansas for Indonesia any time soon....

[nikbj68]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

"Loosey, you gots some splainin' to do!!!"
....I feel bad for the WACO aircraft guy, he builds neat biplanes but he does not understand the business model, he ACTUALLY delivers a quality product!

I guess I will never be surprised by the lack of "due diligence" that Luby seems to attract.........................

I should point out that the Brooklands Motor Company have a similarly glowing reputation to Mitchell Lampert, having acted as the official UK AC repairer for some years and that Steve Gray(proprietor) is totally commited to AC & Cobras. For evidence of his levels of commitment, see below.


...
... or maybe should be commited?

[Mark IV]

I guess I am surprised that Brroklands think the upside overcomes the facts of having to deal with and be associated with A.L. I am sure Mr. Gray knows what he is doing, but I fear for his reputation just for being associated with "Dear Chairman"!