"An open letter from BellyAcreStudios LLC to the Pontiac Fiero community.
It’s been a swell run but it’s coming to an end.
Thursday, GM and I agreed to discontinue our contract and end production of the Fiero GT fastback tail light lens. GM gave us six months to liquidate our current stock. After May 9, 2022 any remaining lenses in stock have to be destroyed—which ironically is going to be a challenge.
GM has ordered any manufacture of any new product to cease but as luck would have it we have 500 coming to us on a slow boat from China. ... These robust fast back lenses will never be made again. The cancelation of production puts this product in a unique position to be an investment in a future fastback project or just a good investment to sell in a couple of years. ... Order lenses through my website www.bellyacrestudios.com. Any questions, comments or concerns are best sent to my email address at keith.goodyear@bellyacrestudios.com . ... Thank you. It was fun to be there to do my part.
Got the email too... Glad I have a set NIB, I'll most likely buy another set in a month or two.
I wonder if there's a loophole at the point when they need to be destroyed; the inventory maybe could be "sold" to one of Keith's "friends" for "cost" and then "the friend" continues to sell the inventory on Ebay or something 😬
------------------ "Discord" Red 1988 GT under restoration!
Let's Go Mets!
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
[This message has been edited by Shho13 (edited 12-11-2021).]
Originally posted by Shho13: I wonder if there's a loophole at the point when they need to be destroyed; the inventory maybe could be "sold" to one of Keith's "friends" for "cost" and then "the friend" continues to sell the inventory on Ebay or something 😬
More specifically, it looks like GM wants to be paid the royalty on any remaining lenses after the cutoff date, but someone would have to be willing to spend this lump sum of cash.
quote
Originally posted by Midwest Fiero Clubs: These robust fast back lenses will never be made again. The cancelation of production puts this product in a unique position to be an investment in a future fastback project or just a good investment to sell in a couple of years.
This means that sales will stop before supply becomes plentiful, keeping prices jacked up.
Therefore, it would be illogical to have the leftovers be sold on ebay, which would increase supply.
Look on Rock Auto there are thousands of aftermarket parts available for purchase. All of the sensors , engine parts ignition parts, everything is there and there are dozens of brands. Why can't the tail light lens covers be offered for sale the same way. You don't need GM permission to produce after market parts. Guys like Chris Cook has been selling his quarter windows for years. Look on ebay and you will see non original after market C3, C4 and C5 tail light lenses for sale. I'd tell GM to take a hike and just brand and sell those tail light lens covers as "after market".
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
This has to be one of the most idiotic things I have ever seen; Does the new "Management" of GM really think they are going to get a bunch of money by chasing down anyone making replacement parts for their old cars?
Someone needs to point out to these morons that nobody has a bunch of money for a car that GM abandoned.....They may be able to scrap out a few bucks chasing Corvette reproduction operators- but the Fiero?
I think someone should PUBLICIZE what these a-holes are doing....Make them look like complete fools!
Expanding on what I said previously you need not fight with GM to produce aftermarket parts. Restoration parts are available for the 57 Chevy, model T Fords, Corvettes, Camaros, F-150's and numerous other vehicles. Then look on Rock Auto for thousands of replacement parts not made by the automakers. I have no idea why Keith is playing patsy with GM or why he even got involved with them from the beginning. My guess is that GM doesn't want the liability associated with replacement parts using their name. Please just market them as KG Parts and end this game.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Keith, About 10 or 12 years ago I started recognizing Vendors & products that I thought were pivotal in keeping Fieros alive & on the road. The first one was Rodney Dickman's replacement Fiero clutch slave cylinders. A great product back then & still great now. Along with all of his other Fiero products, this one will always be #1 on my list. #2 was several years ago with the Fuel Sending Unit from The Fiero Store. That product & the fact that TFS always seems to have something you need to keep your Fiero on the road. Today, the 3rd. Product on my list, helping to keep the Fiero alive & on the road is your tail light lenses. THAT's you! I don't think there is anyone in the Fiero world that could latch onto a product & idea and follow it thru to fruition as you have with this product. I admire you for all the crap you went thru to make this happen. IMHO, When Fiero history is written your name & product will be remembered. The Fiero world is better because of your efforts. I can't wait to see what you do next. I'd like to Thank You for your dedication.
Got the email too... Glad I have a set NIB, I'll most likely buy another set in a month or two.
I wonder if there's a loophole at the point when they need to be destroyed; the inventory maybe could be "sold" to one of Keith's "friends" for "cost" and then "the friend" continues to sell the inventory on Ebay or something 😬
"An open letter from BellyAcreStudios LLC to the Pontiac Fiero community.
It’s been a swell run but it’s coming to an end.
Thursday, GM and I agreed to discontinue our contract and end production of the Fiero GT fastback tail light lens. GM gave us six months to liquidate our current stock. After May 9, 2022 any remaining lenses in stock have to be destroyed—which ironically is going to be a challenge.
GM has ordered any manufacture of any new product to cease but as luck would have it we have 500 coming to us on a slow boat from China. ... These robust fast back lenses will never be made again. The cancelation of production puts this product in a unique position to be an investment in a future fastback project or just a good investment to sell in a couple of years. ... Order lenses through my website www.bellyacrestudios.com. Any questions, comments or concerns are best sent to my email address at keith.goodyear@bellyacrestudios.com . ... Thank you. It was fun to be there to do my part.
Keith …….George"
Can we get more dtails on what changed? There shouldnt be any need for a secet here if you're discontinuing sales. It's importantfor other venders or those thinking of makingparts to know what they're up against?
Is it just GM wanted a higher per sale cut? Or wouldn't do it at any price? Or?
Can we get more dtails on what changed? There shouldnt be any need for a secet here if you're discontinuing sales. It's importantfor other venders or those thinking of makingparts to know what they're up against?
Is it just GM wanted a higher per sale cut? Or wouldn't do it at any price? Or?
I feel the same with something has changed within GM. There have been a couple topics that have popped up recently talking about ceasing vendor products just due to the Fiero logo. Curious if the new corvette really is causing complications or if there are more items scheduled for future production.
Originally posted by da.slyboy: I feel the same with something has changed within GM. There have been a couple topics that have popped up recently talking about ceasing vendor products just due to the Fiero logo. Curious if the new corvette really is causing complications or if there are more items scheduled for future production.
I can't imagine the Chevy boys are STILL shivering in their timbers over the Fiero like they were back in 1987 with the Turbo-V6 on the GM testing grounds. LOL
I can't imagine the Chevy boys are STILL shivering in their timbers over the Fiero like they were back in 1987 with the Turbo-V6 on the GM testing grounds. LOL
A new loaded Corvette costs just short of $80K The people that buy those cars are wealthy and have little interest in the lowly Fiero. What could have happened is some problem with a "GM Restoration" part made by a third party. Just say one of these parts broke, caused an accident and the first thing that the lawyers noticed was the GM name. It could also be that the GM legal department have advised against licensing the name as a precaution to this unlikely scenario. GM probably makes little on these licenses and its probably not worth their trouble having any risks. Thats why I say chuck the name and sell parts as aftermarket parts like Wells, Standard Auto, Moog, Bendix, Raybestos, Wagner, Delco Remy, and the thousands of other resto parts sold to restore Model T's, 57 Chevys, Corvettes, F-150s, Camaros, Firebirds, Oldsmobiles and Buicks. I just purchased two aftermarket Corvette C4 tail light lenses for $12 ea and they had the DOT numbers right on them. They were not sold as original but replacement parts and they look identical to the originals.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 12-20-2021).]
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: I just purchased two aftermarket Corvette C4 tail light lenses for $12 ea and they had the DOT numbers right on them. They were not sold as original but replacement parts and they look identical to the originals.
The C4 taillights don't have trademarked logos on them, whereas fastback Fiero taillights contain the trademarked "PONTIAC".
Would many people still want to buy fastback taillights that didn't say "PONTIAC" on them?
The C4 taillights don't have trademarked logos on them, whereas fastback Fiero taillights contain the trademarked "PONTIAC".
Would many people still want to buy fastback taillights that didn't say "PONTIAC" on them?
They offered clear and custom.. just drop the Pontiac ones... Id rather have blacked out no lights under where the Pontiac was than busted tail lights that fill with water. .. maybe no longer sell them as sets this one says pont that one says iac... For legal reasons offer drivers side that says iac as well
[This message has been edited by skywurz (edited 12-20-2021).]
Its the name Pontiac that is causing the issue. I should have known. Easily replaced with a G T or left blacked out. It would not look original but IMO still look better than a broken lens. Most Fieros have been customized anyway, people may hardly notice the difference. For my taste I would actually prefer the blacked out look as it makes the car look more custom. The C4 Corvette style tail light panel on my 87GT has no car name on it and it really looks nice to me.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 12-21-2021).]
Is it possible to make it in such a way that the buyer could make the actual PONTIAC letters. e.g. Sell it entirely blacked out except there is tape inside that can be removed to pull out the blacked out letters. "Warn" customers that the tape should not be removed and the lenses should only be used "blacked out" wink wink.
Or alternately, make it so the customer can easily paint them black with the PONTIAC letters by himself. Sell the lenses clear in the letter area, but provide easy instructions on how to put in custom letters by the customers and even include the correct paint materials and masking (or have a separate vender sell the "lettering kit".
Or what if you only sell one taillight side while a different vender sold the other taillight side.
I think without the illuminated Pontiac lettering, sales of the lenses would slow to a trickle. If there needs to be a work-around (peel-off tape, painted panels, etc) it would need to be pretty much perfect.
A while back there was a guy doing a custom design for his GT taillights...I did a simulation for him and he liked it...Don't know what became of him, tho...
Here is the design and the simulation I did to see how it would look; Maybe the lenses could be made with this design so GM can't throw a snit....
[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 12-30-2021).]
