Well, I can see where SPF might not want it to happen.

Well it was like 5 years ago. I think GM was solvent back then, too.:LOL:

He had a pair of them at Carlisle last year.

I believe you are correct. I think Tony got alot of the original ERA GS tooling to begin his projects. Tony is lower profile than ERA so he may be able to "fly under the radar."

We will see for how long....

Folks:

I have had four of my six ERAs done by Tony including my most recent, the slabside. (My first two cars were done before Tony started doing ERAs and were infact done by the guys at ERA before they stopped painting cars). On the slabside, Tony did the fender modifications to the FIA body. I have also used CT Custom for my GT350R and, having used both shops, I can say that my experience with both has been excellent, however, when I have wanted custom bodywork done (such as the slabside and on my ERAGT) Tony was willing and able to do what I wanted. ...and he delivered at a very fair price.

Jim

Jim, You are an awesome guy and one hell of a good cook. Not to say one damn fine attorney. I have the utmost respect for you.

But, your relationship with ERA and Tony is a tad bit different then the rest of us.

Honestly I would like to see things made right without me having to come looking to have it done. Again.

Regards,
Frank

He might not have been flying low enough. GM has recently followed Shelbys lead and is going after those making the GS without authorization! In this case, they actually have a case, having trade marked everything a LONG time ago and by taking action to protect those marks.

SPF is licensed under GM to make their "similiar" but hardly exact, GS. I can't help but wonder what roll SPF might have played in prompting the GM suit...

Ditto. I couldn't have said it better.

What a lot of BS from GM. Senior management killed the project as soon as they got wind of it, and the five or so cars that were built had to be pirated out of GM and raced by others. If there was any justice, GM wouldn't have any claims to those trademarks having tried to strangle the Grand Sport in the cradle.

Frank etal:

I intentionally did not comment on your statements concerning you particular experience nor on those of anyone else with Tony. I do not presume to know all the facts, nor the magnitude of the complaint, nor will I express an opinion on what should or should not have been done by anyone. All I did was comment on my experience with Tony.

Inasmuch as he has successfully painted literally hundreds of ERAs it appeared to me that a little "balance" was appropriate in the comments (some from folks who apparently did not have any personal issue with Tony) being made about him.

It is, for a host of reasons, my opinion that the Internet is a poor substitute for the airing of grievances (real or imagined) which should and could be more properly pursued in a more appropriate forum.

I note with interest your comment about a "different relationship" with Tony (and for that matter ERA). Other than having gone back to Tony for more than one paint job, I am at a loss to know what you are referring to. I have paid him in full for each and every job. As far as ERA is concerned (and I don't frankly see what that has to do with Tony), other than being a repeat customer over the past 25 years, I'm at a loss to know what you are talking about. I would again indicate that I have paid "retail" for each of my cars and if I have received any great discount or other tangible benefit, I sure as heck don't know what it is.

Jim

In my case, Tony was paid cash for painting my ERA. The problem occured after I started the car (paint bubbled around the exhaust on both sides). Peter was aware of the problem but was not a party to it. When I told Tony, he said he'd look at it when he was down at ERA (I'm fifteen minutes away). He later said he'd fix the problem when time permitted. I never heard from Tony again but saw him at Lime Rock a year and a half ago, when again I asked him to fix my paint. He AGAIN said he would, but never made good on his promise. Tony has or had my phone number, as does Peter. Tony doesn't back up his work, plain & simple. When this happened to another car at ERA, Peter demanded Tony fix the problem and he did, or had Teddy fix it up the street. Either way, I do not wish to chase him forever. He is a nice guy, but doesn't stand behind his work. I would never send another car to him for any price.
As for not being the proper forum to vent (after two years), this is the only forum to vent. It would cost me more than it's worth to sue him in small claims court. I rest my case.
Rich

I had my hood painted by a guy a few years ago, cost big money. Within a year or so it had strange little bubbles coming up here and there. The shop owner, bless his heart, passed away during that time. Shessshh, what are the odds? Now I'm stuck with it.

I'll get around to getting the whole car painted one of these days. Right now I'm spending the money on a new TKO600, a guy has to keep his priorities straight. :) Show or go? I'll take the later for now, the arm chair crowd will have to wait.

What next Ernie? An aluminum block? :LOL:

I know, I'm SO embarrased!!!! :) OK, here's the plan, I'll cleverly disguise it with a forward shifter and a 4 speed shift knob.

Weren't you just hammering me for the alloy block? :LOL:

What's the word I'm looking for....hmmm....oh, yes, Hypocrite. :LOL:

I see you're getting ready for SAAC 35. ;)

If you ever hear me referring to my TKO as a "1965 top loader" feel free to slap me upside the head!

SAAC-35! I hope the car will be 100% ready, I gotta a lot of work to do before then and some of the solutions remain illusive.

Seriously if I was running alloy heads or an alloy block, MY preference would be to have them painted! Likely black, possibly blue, to appear more like an original setup.

Black through 1965 model year, blue from 1966 on, generally. For my 1965 replica, black for all (not only the cast-iron block and heads, but also the Blue Thunder aluminum intake manifold, all in the name of originality. This Blue Thunder medium-riser intake duplicates the look of the original, including the raised-number firing order on the left forward intake runner).

Have to admit, I did the same. 4-spd shift knob on my TKO. Wife is convinced I did it to confuse her so she wouldn't want to drive it. As for the bubbles in your hood...just get some 600 grit sand paper or steel wool and go for the "brushed" look. Works for the Kirkham cars!:LOL: