ConcoursMustang Forums
1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1964 1/2 - 1965 => Topic started by: midlife on June 18, 2011, 09:37:48 PM
-
I just bought a Daniel Carpenter 1966 Hood Molding to replace my somewhat worn OEM unit. I could not slide it on, so I had to slightly open up the opening. Once done, I was able to install it, albeit with difficulty. The forward peak did not match the hood, and the lip does not fit the hood like the OEM version. The screw holes were offset about 1/4 of the screw hole width on the driver's side, although the left side fit reasonably well.
This unit was advertised as using Ford Tooling. You could have surprised me; it was more like your typical repro quality. I do not recommend this unit for those that want a quality fit.
-
That's pretty unusual. We have sold quite a few, and I have installed a few that fit like a glove on original hoods. I have been very pleased with them.
-
I have been VERY impressed with the Scott Drake reproduction parts I've used on my '65.
ie: the beutiful tail light bezels among others (bought from Brant & co. at VA Mustang!!)
I wonder IF whatever Carpenter is selling is something other than the Scott Drake part.
I just wish the SD moulding was available when my car was restored-it would have prevented me from spending $100.00 for a nos moulding with shelf wear showing.
-
Gt makes most of this junk
-
Gt makes most of this junk
Well, I for one have absolutely NO idea who "GT" is and besides that I personally would like to know how a relitive "newbie" to the forum knows this and/or can you substanciate your claim with rock solid proof that they ("GT") makes most of the junk????
I don't think that Brant at VA Mustang or Rick at NPD choose to carry Scott Drake parts just for giggles.....
-
This hood molding is made by Carpenter in the original Ford Tooling.
-
This hood molding is made by Carpenter in the original Ford Tooling.
Wow!!! I learn something new each day-didn't realize that Carpenter, not Drake made the new Ford Tooling mouldings.
BTW:Is there a way to tell what moulding I have in my hand to identify a dime-store repro v/s a Carpenter repro v/s an original/nos? do the originals have a part number on the back?
-
No markings, but I bet the weight is different.
Daniel Carpenter has been making a lot of repro parts on original tooling lately.
-
No markings, but I bet the weight is different.
Daniel Carpenter has been making a lot of repro parts on original tooling lately.
Thanks Charles! Great to know. So is there a friendly competition between Carpenter and Drake?
-
Thanks Charles! Great to know. So is there a friendly competition between Carpenter and Drake?
I have no idea about if they compete with each other. I don't think DC sells to the public, usually have to have a business account to deal with them. Maybe the same for SD, I don't know.
-
Thanks! I was really meaning a competition in the actual making of the Ford Tooling Parts, and not sales.
-
Thanks! I was really meaning a competition in the actual making of the Ford Tooling Parts, and not sales.
I'm not aware of SD making parts on original tooling.
-
Thanks! I was really meaning a competition in the actual making of the Ford Tooling Parts, and not sales.
C5ZZKGT, I might be able to make things a little clearer, or I might just confuse you further, but here it goes anyhow...
Scott Drake and Daniel Carpenter are friendly "somewhat"-competitors... They both manufacture and/or distribute a ton of reproduction parts at a wholesale level, but the array of products they offer differ substantially. This entire industry is so intertwined from a supply standpoint, that you can't afford to make enemies.
You're probably seeing a ton of "Ford Tooling" products in Drakes catalog or website, and making the false-assumption that they are affecting the manufacture of those parts. They are not (to my knowledge) manufacturing anything from Ford Tooling, they are simply buying Ford-Tooling products from whatever/wherever the manufacturing source may be, and re-selling them, in the spirit of carrying as complete and comprehensive a product-line as possible. If Drake is doing any Ford Tooling stuff, I welcome correction.
IN GENERAL, all of the Ford Tooling dash pads come from Universal Urethane in Las Vegas (Dashes Direct), all Ford Tooling stamped-sheetmetal comes from Gerstenslager in Wooster Ohio, and most everything else (with exceptions) is pretty-much either manufactured by Daniel Carpenter, or the Tooling is out-sourced by Daniel Carpenter. Carpenter's facilities have an impressive range of manufacturing capabilities. And over time, Carpenter has made the commitments and transport/storage investments to accumulate enough Ford Tooling sets to sink an aircraft carrier. He's got the market cornered on old Ford Tooling, some serviceable, some maybe not.
Drake's typical M.O. is to engineer/research/manufacture new toolings, either in the U.S. or overseas depending upon the product. If you met with them, you'd find the dedication and ethics to be sky-high, even though they get some criticism from time to time. I attribute some of that being due to the fact that not everything that comes in Drake packaging is actually proprietary to Drake, which is where brand-marketing can make things confusing to the individual hobbyist. Hope this helps!!
-
Rick, Thanks very much for this!! It does clear things up for me!
-
Scott Drake is making his directly from NOS Parts or Perfect Originals. Otherwise, he won't do it.
-
Drake's typical M.O. is to engineer/research/manufacture new toolings, either in the U.S. or overseas depending upon the product. If you met with them, you'd find the dedication and ethics to be sky-high, even though they get some criticism from time to time.
I would never think to claim to be knowledgeable as Rick is regarding the parts industry and it's practices. With that said, I can comment in a single (albeit limited), first hand experience with the Drake folks in regards to Ricks comments regarding their dedication and ethics. I can also add, and in their commitment to the hobby and concern over what the hobby wants.
While I have posted this before on the internet, I feel it's appropriate to repeat it here. While attending the 45th at Birmingham I had the opportunity to make a very general inquiry with the Drake folks regarding a process on one of their (then) new 65/66 products. I was anticipating a VERY future purchase of one and would altering it for a totally different application of the assembly then what it's original purpose was for. I ended up having my question directed towards another Drake rep than the one I originally approached, with the comment, "if you ask him, he'll know a lot more about it". Little did I know at the time it was one of Drake's heads of product design! When I fully explained my intended use, and hence my somewhat strange question, he presented his business card and advised they'd be on the road for a week or so and he'd probably forget what I had asked about. As such, please email him and he'd check into for me. Furthermore he sounded genuinely intrigued and interested in my project...and with me being a single end user, not a retailer looking to move tons of inventory! When I arrived home I promptly sent an email and reminded him of everything. After a month or so I got a very polite and professional reply. He also asked if I could send a mailing address, which I did. Not only did he look into my request, he had the item modified at the production facility to exactly what I had intended to do with it. He then sent it to me...gratis! All he asked for in return was for me to let him know how it worked out in my intended application and forward a few pics when I got to it. I would have no doubt that it may be seen offered by them in the future, in it's modified state. So be it (and the reason I'm holding exactly what it is a little close to the chest). I personally think it's a great demonstration of what Rick posted about them!
I'd also like to add one more example of a company that demonstrates a genuine concern about their customers and service. They too have received some criticism from time to time. That company is of course NPD! Yes Rick, I'm dime-ing you out! ;) When Rick read customers were having some difficulties in receiving their new catalogs a year or so ago, he took care of the situation. When I still didn't receive mine Rick asked me directly for my mailing address. What arrived a few days later was box. A box, for a catalog?! Yep! And an NPD t-shirt for me having difficulties in getting one of their FREE catalogs! Speaks volumes to me! BTW Rick, I bought two more while at Jacksonville. The one you sent got worn out!!! ;D
-
I strive to have the professional ethics and customer service for my harness refurbishment hobby-business hat NPD and Rick Schmidt has. That's probably an impossible goal to achieve, but that is my aim. There's no one better in the catalog business for Mustangs than NPD.
NPD welcomes feedback, and that is what I intended to put out in my original post. I did buy the hood molding from NPD, but I don't hold them accountable for my issues. It was packed correctly and there was no evidence of shipping or storage damage.
I've also worked with Scott Halseth at the Michigan NPD office in evaluating new items for the NPD catalog. Scott is wonderful to work with and is truly committed to putting out quality products.
I should also state that I've had very good experiences with VA Classic Mustang, although I don't believe I've had the opportunity to talk or meet with Brant.
-
Thanks for the kind words guys, I truly appreciate it... :)