Butler Registry...It's time!

n6opv · #1 (**permalink**) 04-27-2010, 03:59 PM

Well, I'm not saying for sure it's #44 but it seems to point in that direction. Someone could have changed the numbers or stamped new ones that just happened to be really close. Hopefully we'll find out more info soon.

Arthur, I have the same reservation as you about the time gap but I have a possible explanation. Most of the large material pieces for the frames were ordered pre-cut from the tubing supply company. This simplified the frame building process to the point where a batch of frames (maybe 10) was built in a relatively small time frame (nice pun, huh?)

The frames were stamped with the number when the pieces were loaded in the jig for welding. This would mean quite a few numbers would have similar dates. After a body was fitted, the pair would sit on a rack waiting for a customer or their turn in line to be built. A frame could conceivably have been in the shop for a year or more depending on the sales volume and the time to complete the kit or turnkey. When the supply was low, another batch of frame material was ordered and the process would start again with a new group of dates and numbers.

The point of all this rambling is that if David's car is #44 from 1988, it could have been one of the first cars of the next batch; where Arthur's car #42 may have been one of the last from the previous batch.

Jason

lal Naja · #2 (**permalink**) 04-27-2010, 05:55 PM

I took delivery of mine on the 5th. day of Feb. 1987. so it would make things more clear to know what date #43 has. Hopefully other owners will register and that will answer more questions.

But the date seems to show a time lag and mine could only be the last or second last of a batch. A nice mini-mystery.

So Jason, how is it that you know such details about Ron's batch batch manufacturing of frames? I would have thought he was setup to cut his own steel tubing.

Arthur

n6opv · #3 (**permalink**) 04-29-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lal Naja

So Jason, how is it that you know such details about Ron's batch batch manufacturing of frames? I would have thought he was setup to cut his own steel tubing. Arthur

Simple answer... I was there

I guess I've never really come out and announced it on the forum but then again you are the first one to ask...

I worked for Ron (and Brett and Cindy) from 1990 through to the end in 1998 at the shop in Goleta, CA.

Jason

lal Naja · #4 (**permalink**) 04-29-2010, 08:57 PM

Nice to know.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ron in Goleta. He was a gracious host.

And I'm still amazed that he will take time to talk to you when you call. I can't imagine how many calls he gets.

BTW, did you get the two latches for the front of the windscreen. If so take a look at them and you will see that they are slightly different. The slightly smaller one without the casting crosshatch on the back was hand made by me, the main body part that is.

Arthur

SoTxButler · #5 (**permalink**) 04-27-2010, 06:18 PM

Makes sense to me.

Badvnm · #6 (**permalink**) 04-29-2010, 04:08 PM

Hi Russ, I was going thru the paperwork that the guy had given me on the date of sale.. In it was a folder which has Plan A, B and C blueprints of the Cobra.
I also have templates to the Handbrake bracket, Front, Rear,and general specs of the Cobra. All Blueprints are listed under Arntz Cobra, But in the front suspension blueprint It shows a much different mount of the shock towers. nothing close to what I have.. I will be framing these since they are in execellent condition.. more questions to answer....
David

n6opv · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badvnm

Plan A, B and C blueprints of the Cobra... All Blueprints are listed under Arntz Cobra, But in the front suspension blueprint It shows a much different mount of the shock towers.

David, these are all part of the information packet that would have been sent to potential Arntz customers around 1980 (about the time Arntz went under). They're really nicely done and do show a front suspension that probably never made it to a production car. All the Arntz and Butler cars were originally set up for the MGB front suspension. Even my car, an Arntz Type 4 made a few years later, still has the MGB setup. You'll notice that on the "Plan A" drawing (also from 1980), the plates for mounting the MGB crossmember are shown on the frame.

Jason

joyridin' · #8 (**permalink**) 04-30-2010, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badvnm

Hi Russ, I was going thru the paperwork that the guy had given me on the date of sale.. In it was a folder which has Plan A, B and C blueprints of the Cobra.
I also have templates to the Handbrake bracket, Front, Rear,and general specs of the Cobra. All Blueprints are listed under Arntz Cobra, But in the front suspension blueprint It shows a much different mount of the shock towers. nothing close to what I have.. I will be framing these since they are in execellent condition.. more questions to answer....
David

Mine is also a Type 4 and it has Koni shocks on the front. No lever type. Everything else is MGB.