New Forum for Dino 246 owners, builders etc
 

By popular demand this is now the new section for Dino owners, builders and followers.

It's all yours so over to you


Cheers, John

classic replicas
 

Hi there! Some time ago I posted a request for any info on the classic replicas product, because I was interested in buying a kit and having it sent to the USA. I see that since that time, some others have had some bad experiences and posted them here, although very little specific info. I decided to purchase the kit anyway. It was received stateside in Sept, 2010. I would first like to say that the people of Classic Replicas have always been very helpful, although not always the fastest in getting back to me. More recently, they have made a huge improvement in this matter, and usually get back to me within 24 hours. I know that there is some speculation about the origin of the body molds they use, and I have to admit that the pictures on his web site look alot like deons, however the body that I received looks considerable different, particularly around the quarter glass which is recessed and the roof over it, which carries the rain gutter lines like the original. I will admit that the nose of the car is lower than it should be, but it may be that whatever car it was molded from had been hit in the front at some time. ( I don't imagine that many dino owners with imaculate cars have ever offered to have their cars splashed with fiberglass. Any way, I am generally pleased with what I got. According to Gordon, He is in the process of making new moulds, which is entirely possible given that he has a dino gts in his shop. Certainly this would enable him to make a perfect copy. I was at his shop last March and saw the dino he has. It is clear that Gordon is working hard to improve his product. It has changed considerably over time. Last year, he redesigned his frame to closely resemble a dino frame. I believe that mine was the first of them ( I saw my frame right next to the dino frame in his shop. He also now uses floorpans and bulkheads copied from the original. I would like to encourage people to go to his shop and see what he is doing over there. Is his product perfect? No. But his effort is showing and I think his product is promising. I wish Gordon would post some pictures of his more recent stuff on his web site.I am certainly willing to send some of my pictures if anyone is interested. I will glad talk to anyone interested via my email at nostraloom@yahoo.com.

Hi, Could you please tell the forum how much in total you payed in USD for the Classic Replicas kit including shipping to the US and import duty?

Also what the kit included?



Over to you :eusa_liar:

Shipping a C.R. Dino to USA
 

Hi there! I was able to choose the individual parts that I wanted. I bought a complete body, frame, suspension and brakes. I also bought the glass, pedal assembly, all hinges, and tail lights.I know that classic Replicas is in the process of changing the pricing on his web site.The C.R. web site lists each part individually. I know that the exchange rate has changed considerably since then, so I don't know what good it would do for anyone to know what I paid. It did cost me about $2200.00 to ship plus an extra $1000.00 to have it trucked from the port because special trucking permits were required to pick it up with my own flatbed truck and I wasn't prepared for this. Ports other than New York may be different. JG

Thanks for your reply.

I am interested to know for the full fibre glass body and panels, chassis, suspension, brakes, glass, pedal asse, hinges and tail lights what did you pay in GBP or USD please?

Hi I am thinking of purchasing a Dino 246 GTS replica .
There appears to be some negative comments surrounding Classic Replicas.
Before I go any further could someone who has bought a replica from Classic Replicas tell me about there experiences.

It will be appreciated

Thanks

Controls Boy

Try checking other related threds on this forum there are alot about Classic Replicas.
Also a new company (Dehavilland Motor Company) that has just started have been following them on facebook as they dont have a website yet as they are in the process of building the first demo. Looks like someone has been to see them so you might want to PM them regarding this new company.

Hope this helps

Classic replicas
 

Hi there! If you are interested in CLassic Replicas, you should look at what I already posted. As I have said, I am generally happy with my stuff. As I see it, their product seems to be getting better and better. I think it may be important to realise that (1) they are a small company, and (2) they probably get more of their share of inquiries of a less than serious nature. It may be a daunting task to handle all the emails and phone calls. That said, I realise that this all comes with the territory. I can't comment of the cars they build because I bought a kit. The body I got was well crafted, although some bodywork will be required before I can paint it.The fiberglass is of fairly consistant thickness throughout. I think that it would be helpful to have a working knowledge of autobody repair in order to build this kit yourself. The chassis seems very well crafted. I would encourage a visit to their shop. / Nostraloom

[QUOTE=nostraloom;22051]Hi there! If you are interested in CLassic Replicas.


Apparently nobodyn is:der:

I asked you a simple question, how much did you pay for the Classic Replicas kit and what did that include?

interesting
 

Hi Nostraloom,
Sounds like you may be the missing happy customer. Those bad comments you mention that have been posted that aren't so specific! Maybe I can help you with that. This company has at least 2 other customers money, Large sums of Money. £10,000 +. They have not produced cars for them and in fact refuse to complete the cars. They have given endless deadlines and not achieved them. They do not want to communicate but simply offer a non descript part built car for these customers to take away at their own expense. Another customer took the offer of the part built car as he wanted to own a Dino. He has not yet got it on the road and says it cost a fortune to correct it. Modifying the front & rear suspension. I know customers now are not getting replies to their emails in 24 hrs so you are very lucky and to speak to Gordon himself I would say priviliged.
You say you received your kit in Sept 2010, again very lucky because the company went into liquidation in 11th May 2010 (easily checked at companies house mate) But luckily for you they started again with the same guy running the show in Nov 2010. Yes you guessed it Gordon Ainsby. So I guess you wouldn't notice the difference.
So you came and visited the shop did you, when was that exactly?
I would love to see a picture of your finished car, why don't you post it, even with the droopy nose I am sure it looks great. Come on!
Gordons original Dino, you saw that too are you saying, the one he has taken new moulds from. Wow, I wish I could have been there with you.
Did you order all your parts on line then or from a parts catologue? When it came to building your car did you have a build manual? If you have photo's of the build we would really love to see that?
How did you overcome USA immisions was that hard?
Must dash but I am really looking forward to speaking to you again.
One last thing did Classic Replicas 02 (not 07 or 09) get all the parts to you or did you have to source the mechanics yourself?
I just wondered because it would be expensive to ship a second hand engine when you had a lot of donor's there. :peace: :peace:

[QUOTE=Inspace;22092]Hi Nostraloom,
You say you received your kit in Sept 2010, again very lucky because the company went into liquidation in 11th May 2010 (easily checked at companies house mate) But luckily for you they started again with the same guy running the show in Nov 2010. Yes you guessed it Gordon Ainsby.:popcorn:

Would Classic Replicas AKA Gordon Ainsby have deliberately liquidated the company because of multiple ripped off customers taking them to court, then started it again?

Simmos,
I cannot say why someone would liquidate a company 2 times within such a short period of business and then start the same company up again. I just know it is fact as it is for public viewing on companies house website.
I am kind of surprised that Nostraloom has had no issues. Maybe those other customers are wrong and Companies house has their facts wrong on the public website. I am sure when Nostraloom has a moment he might have some explanation why Classic Replicas & Gordon Ainsby would do this.
Even just by showing us shots of his car and maybe giving us some specifics apart from just saying how the company has been good to him. I was hoping he might have come back to us already!
Are there any UK customers with a Classic Replicas Dino that is willing to speak about how good this company is? I would be happy to listen.

Hi Everybody;

I´d like to say that I also checked some time ago in companies house that Classic Replicas was liquidated and restarted with a different name "classic replicas 09". Everybody can check for themselves this by entering in their website. I was also surprised that there´s (at least) one happy customer who have dealt with this company. However, I do also think he was lucky and that he received a kit which was not perfect, as he says.

One thing to be precise; Classic replicas has an orginal dino in his workshop (or has had), it´s true, but the kits they have been selling are based on the Deon, both bodywork and chassis.

I also would like to find a happy customer who has received a fully built car from this company. I´m afraid there isn´t any.
people must know what´s going on with this guy and what he has done and what he has done must not be forgotten.

What is being said on this website is true. If you check this forum for example, you´ll find more people who had problems with this company, apart from bikidude, inspace and me: dino GT. So at least 4 people have experienced the misfortune of dealing with Mr. Gordon Ainsby who has nothing else to say here since I encouraged him here to tell his side. Nothing happens. I´d also like to see these people reappearing here and telling their story.

By now, there´s enough information for anybody who wants to buy a dino replica from classic replicas about what to expect. I´d only say that it is a horrible situation having paid so many money to someone who does not even answer your phone calls while is liquidating his company. You feel like rubbish.

If Mr. Ainsby goes on like this, someone will probably hit him with a baseball bat in the head someday, because not everybody is so patience... People must know that, if buying a car from CR, you will probably be entering in a non ending road, not knowing what is going to happen next, thinking that you have lost your money, that you were a fool to trust Gordon Ainsby: This is how he works and what he´s been doing.

It might have been different for you notraloom, i´m glad for that, but we weren´t that lucky.

cheers

Dino_GT

hi all
it's a shame to hear all these sorry stories.reading every ones accounts on here reminds me of the situation I found myself in many years ago with deon.
it seems classic replicas have not only copied the deon replica but also the way they did business. there was a story doing the rounds of a deon that was sold to several people and just painted a different colour if any one of them was visiting to see how the build was going.All was ok until one customer turned up unexpectedly and his so called car was the wrong colour!. sounds like cr is doing the same.
My car (deon dgt) is still to be finished:frusty:

classic replicas
 

Hello there! Just a few things. I am not sure how to post pictures on this forum, but I will share pics of what I got throught email at nostraloom@yahoo.com. The car is not anything near done, as I am taking my time to do the thing right. I am raising the nose to where it should be and re-contouring the hood to match which is taking some effort, but which is almost done. The results are definitely worth it. In response to a few questions, I didn't buy anything from Classic Replicas that was drivetrain related because U. S. Customs would certainly not allow this. It would have been classified as a complete car, and would have to comply with all new car regulations. I bought all the chassis and suspension and body parts and some trim pieces and glass. I visited Gordon at his shop in March 2010, and He put me up free of charge in a hotel which was very nice. The dino he had in his shop at that time was a gts, which clearly was in the middle of a restoration, as all the parts for it were scattered around his shop. He was copying the frame which was exposed in what was a completely stripped car. Besides mine, he had another frame completed of the same design which was apparently for the next customer. I am fairly sure that shortly after I got my stuff, he had this other car in the works (I have pictures of that car which he sent me to answer a question about bulkheads). I could see in that short time, he had made improvements that wern't on my car. I have had several older kit cars which had been half completed and which didn't come with manuals to build from. I didn't get a manual with this one, but thats part of the fun of building a car, to build it the way you want to do it, isn't it? I never asked for one. Anyway, Even though I am pleased with my car parts, I am sorry for anyone who hasn't been. I see great potential in my car and am happy that I bought it. I have loved the shape of the Dino ever since I saw one, and this is so much better than a Kelmark.////Nostraloom.

Hello there;

Everybody is free to express their opinion here but I´d like to make some things clear, and I wouldn´t like to disturb anyone.

1. I also believe my car has got a lot of potential, even though I have contributed to it myself more than Mr. Gordon Ainsby did.

2. I also have fun building my car and I know I can do it without a building manual

3. I also love the dino very much, in fact this is the reason why I bought it and came through all I came through with classic replicas.

4. I also ordered a kit, because I had the engine and gearbox and the rest of the mechanic parts ready to be fitted (this also of course because I spent so much time waiting for Gordon to finish his job)

5. I could also post some pictures of my car here so everybody can see what Classic replicas gave me and I have pictures of other cars as well in the same state.

What we are talking about here is that:

1. You have several responsabilities when you run a public company that you just can´t avoid.

2. If there is a clearly dishonorable management of a company, not a single mistake, performed by his owner, then the customers who have suffered it themselves have the right to make their experiences public so everybody can appreciate the negative and potential risk they could be involved in if they decide to deal with this company.

3. Even though you can do right some times, doesn´t mean that, if you did very wrong in the past, that is over and nothing happens. These people, as managers of their companies, must accept their responsability and the possible impact of the bad press their acts can produce.

4. When you receive and order, as many people may know, you have to deal with hiring professionals to do the technical job, you need to control the costs the order is going to take, you need to meet certain deadlines and you have to be very professional with your customers and, of course, with all of them and not only a few.

5. The fact that you don´t find many dino replica manufacturers in the market, does not justify an amateur approach to what is, in fact, a public company and, therefore, a business created to make money as final purpose, and not only because you love the dino.

6. I want to make clear that i´m not an unhappy customer with an unfinished building, who does not have the skills to do it, but just the opposite and that I will finish my car successfully with the help of some friends and other people.

7. The reason why I write these lines is because everybody must know what happened with several, not just me, customers who bought cars or kits from classic replicas.

One thing to think about: If classic replicas was a trustful company, wouldn´t this part of the forum be a place where happy customers were talking about their buildings of dino replicas, sharing information, etc, and nothing else?

I know that Mr.Gordon Ainsby can be a kind person, but I also know he can be very different.

I really wish bikidude and inspace get what they deserve and Mr Gordon Ainsby as well.

It is of course a different wish for the first two than for the last one.
Cheers.

Dino_GT

Classic Replicas
 

I am not ashamed to have said that I am happy with my purchase. I have no more to say on the subject. I will continue to frquent this site to see what other people are doing with the cars they are building. I shouldn't have to be made to feel like a criminal because I had a good experience. I do wish everyone well.// Nostraloom

classic replicas
 

Hi nostraloom;

I´m glad that you are happy with your purchase, please don´t get me wrong.
I don´t doubt that, in your case, everything was fine, but it is just unfair that somethings remain buried, specially for bikidude and inspace. Imagine how they can feel right now. I hope you the best with your car. Maybe we can share some info and stuff about the building.

cheers.

Dino_GT

U are full of sh!t "Nostraloom" AKA Gordon Ainsby, goodbye

:rofl:

Don't want in any way to obstruct the (doubtless perfectly genuine) grudges several people have against Classic Replicas...

...but if Gordon Ainsby really has just popped up as "Nostraloom" isn't it a bit weird he had the foresight to join the forum in that name over 2 years ago?

Hi ROBBOC
you are quite right "Nostraloom" is not Gordon Ainsby . There are a number of reasons for stating this. He answers his e-mails being the main one.
I have had a number of contacts with him. He has been helpful, another reason. He has forwarded photos of the Dino he is building and is not using an Alfa engine.
The fact that he appears to be the only satisfied client of Gordons, should not be held against him.

hi all
don't let the fact he joined two years ago let that cloud any judgement. classic replicas has been about since around 2000. he could have joined any time from then till now. and emails etc. pictures can all be used to tell a different story. I have pictures of several unfinished dino's all with different engines and all in different locations/ garages that could each be used to tell a different story.
I'm not suggesting anything here just making a observation.
I learn't my lesson when dealing with deon-never pay for anything that you cannot see or feel with your ow eyes or hands.
The only dealings I had with cr was some dino window frames,which quite frankly were not worth the alley they were made from. I'd never seen aluminium mig welded before and the quality was appalling. Looked like a pigeon had crapped on them!! needless to say they were binned. :smash:

Gordon mentioned his sympathy for Nostraloom.
 

Here is some news on Classic Replicas and Gordon Ainsby.

When I visited to attempt to identify the car sold to me owned by another customer who attended at the same time we met Gordon. Although he claimed that the forum had no effect on his business he was not happy about it. He mentioned the comments about Nostraloom and said how sorry he felt for him. He didn't however feel sorry for me having taken 10k for a car he didn't own or for the owner who he has taken even more from and supplied with nothing then sold the car.
He made no effort to apologise what so ever to either of us or offer any resolution.
The part built car is now dumped outside his workshop on the roof of a container covered in plastic. It has not progressed since I last saw it in way. He is refusing to continue building the car or offer any refund to either of us. The previous owner and myself were unable to find a chassis no and neither
could Gordon, that was after all 3 of us searched. I have the engine number though so if anyone is offered a part built car with an alpha engine beware.
AR 06412 *005825*
Gordon is making no attempts to repay either of us or complete this car. He has not contacted us either although he is aware we are both wanting a refund.
I have asked an independent mechanic to value this car who has seen it and he feels that it would need huge modification to become roadworthy and estimates it's value at less than £3000 in it's present condition.

:sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

I have been contacted by another customer who is building a site in honour of Gordon Ainsby and his many business's requesting any facts related to my experience and others I know of. If anyone would like to pass me information I will forward it and post a link to the site once it is uploaded.

Lastly I do value the support given from other members on this site and for those who did not have a bad experience with this company I wish you well and happy motoring.

I have also found what seems to be a reputable car builder with genuine engineering expertise if anyone is interested please IM me

Hi there inspace;

It could be interesting to put on here some pictures of your car so people can see for themselves its state and appreciate better what you are talking about.
I believe that 3,000 is a possible price even though someone could think at first it´s too low. I think it´s possible because I think i know what the car looks like...

Looking forward to see that website.

cheers

Dino_gt

Good idea, I will post tomorrow.

Sorry been a tad busy,
I will Definately post over the weekend.
Ps thanks for all the IM's making for a interesting history.

Hopefully you can all see these pic's
The shell,Chassis & Engine & Bonus shots were all sent to me after many requests (I really like the bonus shot!!). At this point I was being told the car would still be ready on time they were sent in May and I was meant to drive away in end May/June. When I saw them I couldn't believe it. The car had already been set back from April which was the original pick up date. The reason for the first delay was that Gordon decided without consulting me to completely change the chassis for free??
Why would anyone do that. I went along with it because frankly I had no choice.
Sadly the last one is of the car a week or so ago and this is where it has sat for some time although I owe no money, have paid 10k, this is the price I pay for dealing with Classic Replicas. So again BEWARE.
I would like to just point out when I first visited the workshop in February 2011 I saw this car (basically) part built. Gordon told me it just needed spraying and cosmetics to finish. Made it sound like he made them in his sleep. Should I say in his DREAMS.
The car was never sprayed and when I visited with the true owner late last year and Gordon kindly took it off the container to see if it were possible to identify the car, it still wasn't sprayed. The previous owner had paid for a respray to be done.
I wish I had taken a Pic when I first saw the car but at that time I didn't see the need.

Hi Inspace;
Just a couple of questions before making comments;
-did you see the front and rear bulkheads made?
-door hinges as a part of the chassis as well made?
-Was the windscreen included in the price?
-Rear screen?
-Door frames?
-What about doors, bonnet, engine cover and boot lid?
-Glass for windows as well?
-Roof for GTS?
-Was he suppliying any wheels or brakes? Were they also included in the price or not?

In reply to your Q's Dino GT
The car I was offered was part built when I saw it for the first time. Gordon told me that the previous owner had fell ill and asked for the car tobe sold by Gordon to recoup his loses, I didn't question this but why would I. It was much later I realised the car was still owned by another customer in their eyes and Gordon had simply stopped contacting him. When I was due to pick the car up nearly I visited to see progress. when I got there the car was virtually the same although Gordon had changed the chassis for his own reasons but without consulting me. This was the first delay I tolerated.
I can't really answer about the doors hinges with conviction. All the rest of what you mention was supposed to be included in the price and the work done after my initial payment then a settlement on completion. I chose wheels and interior colour in leather but it all started going wrong when nothing was happening with the car after months. Now I look back it was just a few hours of Gordon's time to go though this with me and then he could carry on how he wanted. It became apparent he was doing little to get the car finished. It actually suited him that I started questioning why because it gave him reason in his mind to stop communicating. How dare I question him!!
Think I mentioned that when the previous owner visited with me he said the car looked the same as when he last saw it 2 years ago. I can't say that for sure but it is definitely not getting done now!!!!

Hi In-Space;

Let´s comment a little bit about this kit with the purpose of giving more information to the people on this forum that may need it.

I have to say that the price you paid for the kit would have been reasonable if, of course, all the parts I mentioned in the previous post were supplied.

Looking at the pictures, the bodyshell needs extra work before painting, not little, and front bulkhead, inner tub and rear bulkhead are missing, and this is not a minor thing either.

Let´s assume that doors, bonnet, engine cover and boot lid, windscreen and rear screen and door frames are supplied by Gordon, otherwise it would be nonsense to take the kit as it is.

There are of course other things such as door hinges, locks and strikers, door latches, bonnet, engine cover and boot hinges as well, which would be an extra cost in case of accepting the kit as it is.

I wouldn´t need to say that there are more things such as the gear change mechanism on the gearbox to invert the gear lever movement on it or the interior door covers, consoles, electric window motors, etc. which would increase the final cost and add extra work and complications.

The complications are even worse than the extra spending, as you will have to look for a solution that, if you are not an engineer, would maybe not able to find it and end up looking for someone to do it for you, adding more extra cost.

Let´s also consider that the wheels or the seats are not included in the price, which is common in other kits.

A kit comprising all the above mentioned items was being sold by Gordon in the region of 14,000 pounds, according to magazines and his website.

All that said, I have to say that Gordon seems to have improved the chassis, as he was using the Deon chassis design, except for the centre tunnel, which he removed.

However, believe it or not, I´ve seen worse kits than yours: chassis and body shells, coming from Gordon, needing much harder work and many more hours working on them to get them right.

In all cases there were parts missing, what indicates that Gordon is not capable of making a complete kit, which is necessary to keep your costs at a reasonable level and avoid more hours of hard work to finish the car.

Also, not only the part is missing but also the information on what to look for, where to find it and how to install it, etc, and this happens with lots of parts.

I hope I have helped other people wondering about the Dino kit coming from classic replicas.

I also wish that you In-space can get your money back which is what you deserve.

Kind regards

Dino_GT

More food for thought.
He was using a deon chassis as you have correctly stated with the baulk head or back bone of the deon chassis literally cut off!! The deon space frame chassis had been designed like that from the start, even when called the jhc so I wonder what effect cutting the back bone off had to torsional strength? Also the jhc/deon chassis had high cills to cope with side impact protection and I noticed looking at cr's chassis these had also but cut down lessoning the chassis's strenght even further. As for £14000 that seems cheap, at the time when deon were trading, deon were quoting somewhere in the region of £18-20000 for a complete kit.
Ian

I agree that a complete kit would be reasonable for 14.000, however COMPLETE is what would be reasonable. other kits like the hawk stratos are in the region of this amount, and their quality has nothing to do with what classic replicas is making.

Regarding the stiffness of the chassis, I don´t think Gordon had it in mind when modifying the Deon chassis, which again reveals the way he runs his business. I guess that the internal appereance of the car closer to the original Dino was the only thing he wanted to get.

There´s a posibility, however, to anybody who has this modified Deon chassis to increase the stiffness by making the fiberglass monocoque bodyshell stiffer, with an internal structure like a roll cage which reinforces some of the critical points of stress, as the original car. This is also better in a GT than in a GTS of course, because the first one has a roof...

HI Guy's,
All good points. The car was offered complete for 18,000 to drive away (road tax extra).
The thing is this car has not progressed for years the previous owner says it resembles what he say 2 years ago and hardly advanced.
On a positive note there has been much effort I am sure to attempt to improve the car.
That is why I suggested earlier in the thread either ask to drive one or ask for a previous customer list and ensure they are not just friends of the owner.
As for deserving my money back. I have had nothing but lies and grief from this company. I have had no satifaction for my Money at all in fact it has cost me more money to pursue it. I have not even received the car badly built so I can continue to build it. No contact at all from them. So yes I think I deserve my money back too!!!

Of course it may seem that I am simply moaning and being negative about Gordon & Classic Replicas but let me assure you I can prove all I say and if anyone wants proof then simply ask me. The biggest benefit to other car builders on this site is the advice to avoid this company. What they produce are not replicas but despair & disappointment. The website is still in progress and that will give all the documentation of this Company , all llnked companies, Credit background and how many companies have actually left owing large sums of money to customers and suppliers. YOU REALLY WILL NEED TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT.

Hi again;

I really would like to see that website when it´s ready. Send me a P.M. when it is. I can believe what you say because I know the guy and discovered the same thing at the time. Dealing with this company is a serious risk but at least we can make some comments here and let the people know what´s going on with it and warn them.

regards
Dino_gt

I will and am uping the pace on this because it is a year since he took my money and I have nothing for it.
Cheers