Can't get off the ground?? Have you gotten to 170 and popped both doors open!! I'll bet that will get a response.:willy
Are you happy with the fitment? Do the door seals work O.K.? I love the room that it gives you!
Shadow you will live to be a 100 and still be driving the GT but the power will come from a flux capacitor.
:willy In closing Shadowman is right, if all the men and women’s names could be listed that helped to win the war instead of just the Generals and Captains it would give a true picture to the realities and magnitude of a project like this and the efforts it takes by many others to get it right. When asked about pricing structure to help sell a quantity of product I must say, neither the GT Guys nor Shadowman think that $3,000. is enough for the installation so that leaves the basic price of the system in question? Justifying the price is in some people’s eyes simply not worth doing, saying, “it is what it is if you don’t think it is worth it don’t buy it”, but I always like to reveal a little more then I should so that you can see what I am facing; this is the brake down and how I came up with the $12,000. price.
Total development of the B-door system, engineering, CAD work, etc………………….…...$381,000.
Total cost of molds, match plates foundry tooling and machining ……………………………..$131,000.
Total cost to date for advertising, shows, meetings and associated cost………………… ...$111,485.
Total cost of producing the parts, assembling a set and all hardware for a car set……..$ 2,480.
Profit for a set of ready to be put on a GT ……………………….………………………………………………….25%
Number of units for amortizing the cost of the development, etc…………….100 units…..$6234.85 each
Add in the cost of the system………………………………………………………………………………………..$2,480.
Add in 25% profit per piece……………………………………………………………………………………………$10,893.56
So as you can now see there is $9,000. for the parts, (really more like $10,893.,and $3,000 for the install I have one hell of an investment in the system and my hope is to reach 100 units. After that the interest on the money spent comes out and hopefully, we start to make some money for the effort and investment and I start to look like a genus for thinking of the program to help GT owners enjoy their cars more.
Yes the name Butterfly might sound a little odd but it is right in keeping with the Lamo scissor, door of the Mercedes Gull wing door. Whatever the name I think it is a real answer for the car, so, now that I have bared the cost to all please tell me what works for you on price, but do remember Genaddi Design Group is not a nonprofit organization and amortizing over 100 units is just not a good business move.
Mark:
Thank you for bringing more information to the thread.
Mark is correct; I am all too aware of what it took to bring this project to reality; I share this based on my many conversations with the folks within Genaddi Design, my first hand experience installing the system, and based on my personal experience undertaking projects such as this. This was truly an extreme scope and magnitude project and yes I have openly shared on numerous occasions to many that the cost for the conversion by some standards may seem extreme however I have also said over and over that IMO it is under priced "IF" extreme detail and OEM style system integration remains a key part of the process. I went so far as to share that "IF" I were to complete such a conversion in my facility for another I would charge at least $5-6K for labor plus materials that would include the GTB system itself bringing the associated close into the $15-16K range and yet when completed there would be no compromises. I have also had many conversations with The GT Guys and the Genaddi Design Group regarding these feelings too.
As with most twist and tweaks they will not all be for everyone and yet if properly done will be appreciated by all and at the same time a half assed job regardless of scope and magnitude will always be a half assed job. There is little that I hate worse than to hear one share “but if we only had a little more time and money we could have taken it to the next level”; as mentioned earlier I believe that conversions of any value should be black or white; no compromise. Certainly we a can dream up all sorts of colors and yet in the end it is either “go or no go” based on ones ability to see the process through to term and not simply complete a phase of it.
Having shared this I feel that the GTB, Eagle doors, Butterfly doors, are an example of an extreme conversion that when being considered should be looked upon a permanent personal choice tweak rather than something to simply enjoy for awhile with the mind set that she will someday go back the way she originally came. Certainly she be converted back to OEM however to return her back to her true OEM self not simply to make her appear as OEM would be another scope and magnitude project with the time and associated cost likely being even greater than the GTB conversion itself.
For those that feel the proverbial shoe fits I remain confident that you will enjoy the results of the GTB conversion process and for those that feel it blasphemy to even consider such a conversion I ask that you respect ones decision and also consider appreciating the craftsmanship that went into the process.
In closing I read where group buys and reduced price are being asked for; let me tell you that “IF” I were you I would be MUCH more interested in who was going to complete the conversion, allow them more than enough time to do so, and I would sooner pay a premium for a stellar job and allow companies such as Genaddi design Group supported by folks such as Bernard make a quality nickel rather than look for a bargain. We all know the story about how folks receive the better deal but in the end actually pay more; monetarily and or emotionally. Furthermore I personally will not compromise in my facility because I learned LONG ago that once price concessions have been agreed to based on some sort of compromise; this could be time, quality, detail work or whatever and then completed the process is ultimately scrutinized by one that does not own the gal and did not pay the bill and inevitably the question comes up “why did they not do this or what about that” and I have NEVER heard a person sitting in that discussion say “I was a cheap ass and I wanted it done as inexpensive as possible” but rather they say “hummmm I do not know; in fact it bothers me too”.
In the end I would sooner see a hand full of stellar OEM integrated systems installed at a price that would cause most eyes to roll rather than make an attempt to meet the financial needs and desires of the many. If these were $10K Coastal-can-hardly gals then a quick set of hinges of the style being installed by numerous in and out facilities and a pair of triple wiper blades would likely be just fine however folks these gals are the real deal and every time you consider making a tweak it should compliment her and appear as though it could have been a part of the gal’s original design and seamlessly integrated.
If this system had been originally offered for $20K would it have caused me to walk away; doubtful but then I do not walk away from gals that cost many time what the GT cost us. Ford did us a huge favor by allowing this gal to be produced and then priced so that MANY could acquire them. If by example she had come from Italy the cost would have been likely double. No; this in itself does not justify the cost of admission when considering the GTB conversion but rather I hope it puts the value into better perspective. If I had been Mark and asked to complete such a conversion I would have done so as a solo act and never projected recovery from the downstream activity as such it would have been EXTREMELY expensive, of the highest quality, and unique which in the end I hope this system remains. I never liked being in a line up where all of the gals look the same; similar but I enjoy and appreciate seeing ones personality become a part of the gal; it is at this point that she truly becomes a part of ones family.
Takes care
Shadowman
Hello Bill,
Just read your post,... after sending you an email. I know the calibre of your work, what you expect of yourself and others, and you have earned my respect. If I buy the doors, they will be installed to your standards. I am not willing the accept less. Craftsmanship is not dead, just not found in every shop. Thank you for another excellent write up.
GOD BLESS AMERICA,
daniel
Thank you Daniel
My gut tells me that if you elect to have the GTB conversion completed on your gal that you will be very happy
You takes care
Shadowman
Hello Bill,
I am very interested in getting an out the door quote for the system. I am sure Mark and Bernard have undergone a fast learning curve. I know better than ask for an install at the rally, but perhaps before or after will work. Or better yet in your shop.
Cheers,
daniel
I just bought a trailer with the side doors to accomodate hauling around the GT.... I can fully open the door of the car now and hop out. My only concern with the door conversion is now it might come out and up a little too far and hit the wall of the trailer, or the roof????
What is the measurement of the top of the door when fully opened?
Anyone else throught this through?
Thanks in advance.
hey guy, what ever happened with the groupe buy for the b doors