MTFCA Forum

I found a small shop making 1 off brass parts for an antique car, but the parts were expensive! The shop can make the brass gas generators and Holly G brass carburetor bowls. I have access to these 4 gas generators Victor, Cocran, E & J, and John Brown and a steel Holly G bowl that he could use as templates. I will have nothing to do with sales. What I would like to know is there enough interest in these parts to see if he will make them. If I go to the shop armed with replies that the parts are wanted, then who knows what he might do.

I think from a craftsman's outlook, let him find his own market and clients. Why? because I have had everyone want something made, but when produced, no money and time and materials wasted. Just stating facts.

Hank

True words, Hank

I make multiples of things I need and offer them for sale until they're gone. I've found it pretty pointless to "make to order" a one-off part of any real complexity, because rarely is that one part worth what it would take to make without giving away the ranch in the process.

It's noble to seek a market for someone else's work for the betterment of the hobby but I think it could lead to some false hope on both the supplier and potential customer. Not a position I'd want to put myself into but, hey, I'm not everybody, and maybe it does appeal to someone...more power to them!

If he’s really interested in trying to market them give him Lang’s and Snyder’s addresses and that would be enough. Gearing up to produce a bunch of parts isn’t cheap. He might create interest if he advertised in the classifieds or suppliers section. But that’s his business if would want to.
Most of the suppliers who make parts for old cars don’t make a lot of money doing it and do it to make supplemental income if that much.

Holley G bowls world be nice in brass and could also be used for U&J bowls with slight modifications. The steel and brass bowls are the same but to go with the brass bowls there is a 1/8” pipe thread insert soldered in for the drain, which would have to be manufactured as well plus the drain plugs are all brass where the new ones are brass and steel.
A part that could probably be relatively easy to make and often needed is the little wire clip that holds in the venturi. They are often rusted and not readily removed without damage. Steel Holley G bowls aren’t the easiest to find either.

Corey 20 years ago I was making bowls for others in need not just Model T's. Then , $100.00 for a bowl and they all bitched and complained insulting the man that made it. USA prices with quality is one price, third world country exploited labor is another with no quality. So on today's money scale the same would in the USA be around $250.00 each. Setting up different dimensions is expensive from a business perspective. The demand is low, cost is high, and a craftsman does not want to be insulted and kicked. Think about how many years it really takes to perfect craftsmanship with not being intimidated by anything..., YEARS! and that comes with a price.

My Peace Spoken in the defense of others,

Hank

Hey there, Victor

ready to cry "UNCLE!!" ??

I'm glad these guys can do that level of work...seriously! But it's been a rough crowd so far, eh?

it's a nice thing you want to do...good luck to all involved.