MadaboutKitcars

According to a post on Pistonheads, a certain manufacturer has stamped down on yet another bodykit or assembler (unsure which model/models or extent of action) - does anyone know anything about this?

???

Yes, please do tell!

I was hoping the reference to Pistonheads would avoid my having to reveal directly because I wonder how accurate the info (posted on PH) is. Here goes... this is what's been posted by an owner of a SWB250C

Hi all, I'm new on here. I picked up my Ferrari 250 tribute at the end of last year, built by Mr Bird.
I am both delighted with my beautiful new car and frustrated at some of the "finishing" that Mr Bird has left me with.
Apparently Ferrari have put him out of business

Please don't shoot the messenger (me). If it's not accurate please remove or instruct me to remove this message.

But everything thing Mr Bird did was brilliant - he told us so, and so did his sock puppets.

The website is still up and running so I can only assume that isn't the case. I'm sure that if you provide his company with a donor car, a kit and some cash they will assemble a car for you.

If someone plasters a car in badges that belong to another manufacturer then surely they can't be surprised if that manufacturer gets pissed off, I know I would be.
The manufacturer concerned has about 80 years of history carefully looking after their name only for somebody to steal the name and place it on a far inferior product.

It would appear that the same car without the fake badging is being left alone.
I can see the appeal of a 60's/70's/80's replica when the cost of buying an original costs millions, however, the current crop of replica's of current models I feel is just wrong.
To tell someone that my car was a fake current Ferrari I would feel, well a fake. It would be like admitting that I can't and never will be able to afford the real thing so I will pretend instead, probably whilst wearing my velour tracksuit that I bought from a knock-off shop on holiday.

I can understand that an owner might see his beautiful car as even more beautiful with the badging. But suppliers have been pushing the product as "replicas" with a significant mark up for the build work. This is aways going to end in tears, usually with damage to the reputation of the kit scene. Odd behaviour for people who aim to make a living out of it.

Only Richard@Nubodi knows the truth, but he doesn’t post here very often these days.

Plus if lawyers have got involved there may also be a Non Disclosure Agreement involved.

Assuming the poster on PistonHeads is genuine, he says he picked up his car in July 2017.

But he doesn’t say when Richard told him that he had been shut down?

It would have to be recently, as Richard posted this on 6th January 2018.



Unfortunately, on the PistonHeads’ thread, JeffH/666 talks about a destruction order being placed on this car.



If Jeff is right, that really would be a crying shame, as this is one of the nicest examples of the kit around.

But, as always, what do I know?

Cheers, Paul.

I was told about the destruction order by Gary, (Lancelot Link)

He is good mates with the owner of Tribute so I have no reason to doubt it, Ferrari did and have halted production of the DNA kit so who knows eh ?

I believe that this vehicle was being sold by a third party with all that badging. Not unreasonable for Ferrari to take legal action.

Hi guys,

I have not posted before but have been gathering information and ideas etc for a Z3 250 SWB build.

However I do have something to add to the thread, I emailed Nubodi about 2 weeks ago regarding the 250 SWB and they told me that they no longer offer the Coupe or Kali kits.


Sean

Tribute have their kits listed on the website.

And not an "F" badge in sight.
Maybe a rename is in order
280swb so that everyone knows it has the larger 2.8 engine, really not worth bothering with the smaller engines.

I think the problem is when another company trades on Ferrari's name and reputation.

Tribute doesn't mention Ferrari.

Sean – Thanks for the update.

Just to be clear to other readers, as Lucky says, Tribute Automotive still sell both versions of the SWB kit here:

http://www.tributeautomotive.com/250swb.html

As others have also said, the fact that Tribute describe their kits as “1960's style hard top or soft top based on the BMW Z3” and do not have a “F” badge in sight is why they do not have a problem.



Good luck with your build, Paul.

Sorry I should have said that I have spoken to Tribute and they can definitely supply the kit, it was just Nubodi that said they no longer supply them.





Thank you Paul.

Interestingly the Tribute site does use the Jaguar word, presumably they are not so litigious?

Tribute probably have an additional level of legal protection because the development of the 250 was entirely posted on this site. The body was built around the wooden former that was purchased legitimately and there was not a F*****i in sight, so I think it would be hard to sustain an argument of breach of copyright.

And Chris has been down this road with the Bentley lookalike so more worldly wise about this

Correct, and we are being very circumspect about the development of the Z3gato. With small producers, it is near impossible to put up a fight, so best not get into one in the first place if your intention is to stay in business and do right by your customers.

Talking of which, don't Aston hold some sort of copyright on their grill shape? Sure I read that - recognisable dress or something? Proceed carefully!

I had been thinking along similar lines. Maybe if it was supplied with an infill panel in the grill corners to take a pair of driving lights.
Not Tributes fault if the new owner deletes them.

Or stick closer to the Mondeo shape.

I think Shelby found out how hard it is to claim trade dress of a 60's inspired open air sports car. He was able to hit replica builders for badging and naming only. An oval shaped grill is not trade dress. He even went after Factory Five Racing over their coupe design only to lose again. Ferrari has a real beef with someone pawning off a car with Ferrari badges, that is where the line is crossed.