June 2008
“The road less traveled sure has a lot of stones”
Regrettably, due to additional set backs entirely beyond our control, we need to inform everyone that the Retro Bumper Trim™ kits are still not available for shipment.
When we launched this project for the second time in November 2007, we had absolutely no reason to believe that we wouldn’t have the kits available in May. As a result of recent developments and for legal reasons we cannot share specific details about the setbacks at this time. We will be posting additional information on the website as soon as we are able to.
From the very beginning of this product launch in early 2006 we truly believed that our Chrome Retro Bumper Trim™ kits would be the most logical aftermarket accessory needed to compliment the late model Retro styled Mustangs. Because of our continued belief and the amount of customer interest we have received since then, and in spite of the set backs, we are currently attempting to have this product produced sometime in the future.
As Mustang owners ourselves we are also very disappointed and sincerely apologize.
_____________________________________________________________
February 2008
New
Show Quality “Chrome Plated”
Retro Bumper Trim™ kits coming in May, 2008
“Chrome-like” supplier issues a thing of the past
Even
though the “Chrome-Like” parts that we originally offered for
purchase were comparable in appearance to true chrome plated parts,
only a small quantity of parts that we received from our original
supplier met our quality standards. While working with the
“chrome-like” parts supplier we spent a considerable amount of
time sorting defective parts, documenting the issues, repackaging
the parts, sending them back and waiting for replacements.
We had given the supplier of the “chrome-like” parts several
opportunities to improve their processes and quality control knowing
that acceptable quality parts had already been produced in small
quantities. After repeated attempts to fill our production orders
and numerous shipments of defective parts they finally admitted
almost one year into the project that acceptable quality parts could
not be produced consistently with their recommended tooling and
processes. Needless to say, our orders were never filled and we
cancelled the project with them.
Following the cancellation of the project, we were faced with
starting completely over without usable tooling or saleable product.
We decided that if we were starting over on the project that we
would re-investigate the possibility of having our parts chrome
plated. This was a road we went down in the early stages of the
project but we were unable to find any suppliers in the United
States that were either interested in the project or had the ability
to chrome plate parts as large as our front bumper trim. With our
original goal of having Chrome Plated parts in mind, we once again
began to carefully search for new suppliers in the United States.
Our search took several months during which the majority of
potential suppliers were eliminated either due to their limited
abilities or as a result of some of the most unbelievable,
unprofessional and strangest experiences. Unfortunately, some of
these companies only wasted our time by leading us to believe that
they were capable of handling the project only to finally admit they
were not when it came time to provide firm production quotes or test
plate our parts. After eight months and as a result of our
persistence and determination we now have two suppliers located in
the United States that are officially kicked off on the project. One
supplier is providing the bare unfinished parts and the other will
be chrome plating them. Both of them are currently providing parts
and services for OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and are
doing very well at meeting OEM quality standards at the higher OEM
production volumes.
Now that we are finally working with competent suppliers that are
committed to both our project timing and quality standards, we are
proud to announce that our new show quality Chrome Retro Bumper Trim™
kits will be available for purchase in May of 2008.
We would like to thank all of our loyal customers who have been
patiently waiting for their Chrome Retro Bumper Trim™ kits. We
appreciate all of your calls and emails that have helped to keep us
striving to make this project a success.
_____________________________________________________________
Best
Of Show Award!
THEMUSTANGNEWS.COM
KICKS OFF 1ST ANNUAL SEMA SHOW PRODUCT AWARDS
Phoenix, AZ:
This year the editorial staff of TheMustangNews.com
was treated to a first peek at literally hundreds of new
products for Mustangs of all vintages. SEMA is the show that
most manufacturers will debut their new products as well as
pull the covers off tasty prototype parts they have in the
works. What they saw this year is more exciting than ever. Not
only are there some landmark products in the works for the new
S-197 Mustang, but there are some major new developments in
the vintage and resto-mod sectors as well.
Because they
were so taken with this year's crop of new and exciting
products, their team has decided to start a new tradition at TheMustangNews.com.
Starting with this year's coverage TheMustangNews.com
kicked off an annual "TMN SEMA Show Product Awards"
program for Mustang and Ford related products at the show. The
awards will serve to recognize and bring attention to new
products that bring ingenuity, value, and genuine wow factor
to the Mustang enthusiast. TheMustangNews.com
is proud to recognize this year a "Best of Show" and
"First" through "Third" place for products
that we felt really went above and beyond to meet a need or
forge new ground.
 A
wider based "2006 SEMA Show Product Showcase" will
recognize a vast selection of new products that Mustang
enthusiasts will want to read about as well
Best
Of Show: '05-'07 Retro Bumper
Trim - Retrospective Designs Inc.
Of all the new
accessories and parts TheMustangNews.com
came across, these new chrome bumper trim pieces from a small
company in Wyoming, Michigan stood out more than any other.
These new bumper trim pieces are made of an impact resistant
ABS plastic with a chrome finish and a protective UV coating.
They come in pairs for either the 2005-2007 V6 or GT Mustangs.
Installation is a snap, they attach permanently with a
high-bond 3M tape.
What they do
for the car visually is nothing short of amazing. They bring
punch to a car that almost looks plain without them. This is
especially so for the V6 Pony package cars as pictured where
the chrome grillwork reflects and really looks sharp. I spoke
with the principals of the company who developed this new
product, who were very enthusiastic about it.
They worked hard to assure that these trim pieces are made in
the USA, which earned big points with TheMustangNews.com.
Retail pricing
for the chrome Retro Bumper Trim is expected to be around $449
per pair. The quality and fit is superb. They have an OEM look
with a three-dimensional mold profile, so they don't look at
all like laser cut sheet steel, but a real factory piece. Best
of all, they install in less than an hour!
2006
SEMA SHOW
(click photos for larger view)
|
