Metalcrafters Rebuttal

["Wayne Graefen" <wgraefen@xxxx>]

Hey guys, do you want repro quarter panels or not for those '57-9 cars? 

Metalcrafters is THE PREMIER one-off body builder in the United States. They build impeccable show cars under multimillion dollar contracts day in and day out. Back at the beginning of this project it was my understanding that Chrysler had some left over contracted time with them and it was one of our 300 "insiders" at DCX who pushed through the idea they could make us some panels. This is gifted time from Chrysler and the retail price is also a gift as I know their labor for the professionals they employ is approximately triple to quadruple going rates because of the quality these guys are capable of. 

This is the time of year of maximum intensity at Metalcrafters. They are preparing dozens of cars that must be at the North American International Auto Show early in January as well as the Los Angeles Auto Show a week later. The NAIAS is the most important auto show on the planet, they know it, their corporate existence from year to year rides on what they turn out.

Metalcrafters has a ton of reasons to tell us to shove it and among those is probably their general relationship with DCX because DCX is not their biggest contractor. If members of this club take up an email or letter writing or phone calling campaign against Metalcrafters, we will be biting off our nose to spite our face. In other words, we would be incredibly stupid to do so. Aren't you guys the same club that waits sometimes 6 months into multiple years for Gary Goers to get something out to you? 

Oh, I'm sure these panels aren't going to arrive at your doorstep perfect. The rusty and bent cars that need the panels aren't dimensionally the same as they were new from the factory either. I know the immaculate black C coupe the panels were crafted from. If you don't like what you get from Metalcrafters, it is probably not their fault and likely is your car's fault plus the fact they have been made to fit 3 years and 8 models of Chryslers and DeSotos.

If this makes any sense to some of you who have no patience and are hot under the collar to weld up a new quarter onto the rest of your car that could probably use 6 months of other work while you wait for the quarters, then cool it, kick back, chill out, go buy your wife a Christmas present instead of on Christmas eve, and generally just plain COOL IT.

If there is anything better than the old car hobby for teaching PATIENCE, I don't know what it is. It is obvious from the last few days e-mails that a whole bunch of us have not begun to learn the lesson yet.

Wayne



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