[Sunbeam Talbot Email List] Fw: Bamforth Spares
Dan Gooding
degooding at suddenlinkmail.com
Mon May 17 22:03:38 EDT 2010
Hi all,
I really do have to echo Don's comments. I have had great cooperation and
help from Bamforth's, thus I was sad to hear, especially from Mal whose
opinions we all certainly value, report difficulties with them. That
really is too bad. One has to wonder if it is really a communication issue,
somehow. Anyway, my experiences have been great.
Now, the Bamforth organization is a bit computer dense compared to most
other providers of parts, etc. However, I find that rather quaint, much
like acquiring Bob's rubbers...which are top shelf, BTW. I have found their
pricing fair, as well.
All the best,
Dan
Lewisburg, WV, USA
_____
From: staowners-bounces at sunbeamtalbot.info
[mailto:staowners-bounces at sunbeamtalbot.info] On Behalf Of Don Herr
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 5:29 PM
To: creeler at googlemail.com; jimmy.gardner at ntlworld.com
Cc: staowners at sunbeamtalbot.info
Subject: Re: [Sunbeam Talbot Email List] Fw: Bamforth Spares
Hi All,Over the last 30 I have restored a healey 100-6, a 58 corvette,a
bristol AC,a xk 120 jag,and an Abath to concours level. I purchased my 55
Alpine at an auction and knew NOTHING about them. The Bamforths to me are a
God send- the parts I purchased for my previous restorations were
significantly more expensive than what Bamfoths are charging for parts. Even
when I find parts on Ebay sold by private parties they command top dollar.
It is simply the mechanics of supply and[Dan Gooding] demand. Since these
cars are so rare I am surprised that parts are not higher. I for one am
willing to subsidize tooling- alot cheaper than custom made parts- why would
we care if Bamforth makes some money? they could be our best freind to
maintain our investments. MY OPINION. Reagrds Don Herr
_____
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 11:47:42 +0100
From: creeler at googlemail.com
To: jimmy.gardner at ntlworld.com
CC: STAOwners at sunbeamtalbot.info
Subject: Re: [Sunbeam Talbot Email List] Fw: Bamforth Spares
Hi Bob
Well said James Gardner. For the benefit of those members on this list who
are not members of STAR it might be of some interest to them, and indeed to
some Star members from overseas, to know who Sunbeam Talbot Spares (aka "The
Bamforths") are.
I first became a member of STAR in 1975 only a year or so before Tony
Bamforth joined. After a few years I resigned as my interest has diverted to
Morgans. Rejoining the Club some 3 years ago with a 90 MK IIA Saloon and
then with a Ten Saloon necessitated many visits to the Bamforths emporium at
Barnsley for spares and advice. Some 10 years ago, Tony who is a time served
mechanic, helped by his two sons Simon and David who were then in their
twenties, decided to take the plunge and buy the stock of Sunbeam Talbot
Spares previously run by former member Colin Mumbray.
Those of us who are their customers have to realise that for us Sunbeam
Talbot ownership is a pleasurable (sometimes) hobby, whilst for them it is
their livelihood which involves hard graft to keep afloat. Tony, who like
all of us is getting on a bit, only works part time. The business has not
been able to support all three, and Simon has for some time been working in
London and has now set up his own repair and restoration business there. The
premises in Barnsley are not state of the art - see
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q
<http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Haigh+Moor+Wa
y+Royston,+Barnsley,+UK&sll=53.601572,-1.455045&sspn=0.008646,0.015063&ie=UT
F8&hq=&hnear=Haigh+Moor+Way,+Royston,+Barnsley,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.603622,
-1.457384&spn=0,0.023239&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.603707,-1.45732&panoid=UCkq21L
SIraOJRVx2dvYvQ&cbp=12,125.59,,0,5.1>
&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Haigh+Moor+Way+Royston,+Barnsley,+UK&sll=53.601
572,-1.455045&sspn=0.008646,0.015063&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Haigh+Moor+Way,+Royst
on,+Barnsley,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.603622,-1.457384&spn=0,0.023239&z=16&laye
r=c&cbll=53.603707,-1.45732&panoid=UCkq21LSIraOJRVx2dvYvQ&cbp=12,125.59,,0,5
.1
and only David and Tony work there.
My impression of them is that they are gradely folk, genuinely interested in
and commited to the preservation of our cars, and, as James says, always
prepared to give free advice. Their administration is sometimes not all that
it should be, and folk on this list have complained from time to time about
difficulties of communication either by phone or email. We must be prepared
to cut them some slack as very often one or both are on their backs under a
vehicle (they don't have a hoist yet) and answering a mobile phone from that
position is not sometimes a priority!
I think that David would be the first to admit that he has issues (whether
real or imagined) with the "higher arky" and the old farts on the STAR
Committee (of which I am one) but I believe that his frustrations and plans
for reform are based on his genuine concern to keep our cars running and
roadworthy into the future. Whether his current plans for the "Spares Club"
in the guise of the Sunbeam Talbot Owners Club risen like some Yorkshire
Phoenix from the ashes will prove to be the way forward or misguided I
cannot say. I have joined his Club but am keeping an open mind.
All of us on this list who are now over seventy ( or are nearly there) will
admit that that if we were 40 years younger we would also be kicking against
the "establishment" because that is how in some cases progress is achieved.
The views expressed here are personal and nothing to do with the views of
Star or other committee members.
Cheers
Bill
--
William D Hall
Glossop
Derbyshire
creeler at googlemail.com
2010/5/17 james gardner <jimmy.gardner at ntlworld.com>
Hi Bob
Quite amazing how much abuse the Bamforth family get. I am surprised they
even bother anymore. Why complain, I just don't get it. In the case of the
"couple of chrome screws" for £30.00. No one is forcing anyone to purchase
anything - if you don't like the price don't buy it. Having had many custom
parts made over the years for various cars I find it unbelievable that these
prices are being complained about. Remanufactured parts for such a small
market are hugely expensive and I see the Bamforth spares as amazing value
for money. This bickering is simply pathetic.
I have never met David, but I have met Simon a couple of times who
incidentally drove to my house some 80 miles to look at my car and give
restoration advice and did not want to charge me a penny. When I start work
on my Alpine I am sure I will be relying heavily on the Bamforth family for
parts and also advice (something they do not charge for).
The answer for anyone unhappy with any aspect of their business is to go
elsewhere and source your parts. Luckily for me they continue to supply
spares, and lets face it they are running a business. Just like the rest of
us they too need to make a living.
J Gardner
----- Original Message -----
From: RA <mailto:hamilton at accesscable.net> Hamilton
To: STAOwners at sunbeamtalbot.info
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2010 10:31 PM
Subject: [Sunbeam Talbot Email List] STOC Re-incarnation as
commercialfund-raiser.
FYI, there appears to be more to the message I sent out this afternoon.
Bob Hamilton
Waverley, Nova Scotia
-------- Original Message --------
From: "RA Hamilton" <hamilton at accesscable.net>
Date: May 14, 2010 6:21:39 PM
Subject: Re: Fwd: STOC Re-incarnation as commercial fund-raiser.
To: terry poole <terrypoole at blueyonder.co.uk>, Bob Hamilton
<hamilton at accesswave.ca>
Cc: info at sunbeamtalbotspares.co.uk>, Paul Walby <stardusteditor at aol.com>,
John Badger <john_badger at btinternet.com>
Hi Terry,
I guess there is more to this story than what is on the surface and there
appears to be some infighting from different camps that we across the water
are isolated from.
Are there any others out there who would like to add to this discussion?
Regards,
Bob
On 05/14/10, terry poole <terrypoole at blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Bob,
Hope all is well with you.
You may well not agree with this but I've sent it anyway.
Regards,
Terry.
Begin forwarded message:
From: terry poole <terrypoole at blueyonder.co.uk
<terrypoole at blueyonder.co.uk>>
Date: 14 May 2010 19:51:06 BST
To: info at sunbeamtalbotspares.co.uk <info at sunbeamtalbotspares.co.uk>
Cc: Paul Walby <stardusteditor at aol.com <stardusteditor at aol.com>>, John
Badger <john_badger at btinternet.com <john_badger at btinternet.com>>
Subject: STOC Re-incarnation as commercial fund-raiser.
Hi,
I've just read about the "new" Sunbeam Talbot Owner's Club re-formed
apparently for "our" benefit - lovely. But!! Never believe anything you hear
and only half of what you see!
All sounds very laudable, but would I be correct in anticipating that the
main beneficiary will be STS, who will have the benefit of "free" tooling,
paid for by STAR members, plus the profits on the parts to be sold at their
valuations to the people who paid for the tooling? Nice work if you can get
it - as they say.
The figures relating to fees and tool hire are undisclosed, so could be
minimal in real terms.
Will the eBay STS seller be part of the deal? If their prices are a guide
then there won't be many bargains for contributing members, or will there
really be 2 price lists?
I recall years ago that keen members of STAR made voluntary contributions
towards the "spares fund" but I don't recall them receiving any benefit over
people who hadn't contributed (Correct me if I am wrong). Not that I am
complaining about that - it all appeared to be in a good cause at the time.
I know I am being skeptical, but I put that down to the times we live in,
where the £ is king.
I would be very pleased to learn that my skepticism is unfounded.
Further, on a different note, I fully approve of meetings which don't
involve sitting in an expensive field all day, looking at stationary cars
that we mostly know from back to front trying to look as though it's fun,
while yet again we fill our voting forms in, and well worth the expensive
drive there and back!?
Interestingly, already we see STOC (aka STS) giving STAR a (deserved?) kick
up the rear end on that subject! What hope for future "cooperation"?
I can foresee that as the existing 50yr. old++ STAR membership falls off the
branch, all relevant Sunbeam Talbot interest will be with STOC, which, as
an Oldie I can say, is where we came in!
Maybe call it "progress" - maybe not?
Just a thought - we must have survived at least 4 decades of doom and gloom
regarding the warnings of "no more of our cars on the road in 10 yrs. time
unless etc. etc. re: spares". Compared to rust - minimal. The efforts of
various suppliers over the years to produce replacement body repair panels
which fit has been abysmal. Mainly because "we" expect to get things for
nothing - see how many tips there have been on how to save 10p using a paper
clip doing a £100 job!
Now have a look on eBay at the "couple of chrome screws" you can buy for
£30.00.
I bet STOC won't be tooling up for much bodywork, chrome screws are much
more fun.
Hey-ho, hope I'm wrong.
Enjoy the field.
Regards,
Terry Poole.
Region 8
--
_____
Robert (Bob) A.C. Hamilton
Waverley, NS
_____
--
_____
Robert (Bob) A.C. Hamilton
Waverley, NS
_____
_____
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--
William D Hall
Glossop
Derbyshire
creeler at googlemail.com
_____
The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with
Hotmail. Get busy.
<http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID2
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