Hello Sidney,
Thanks for asking! It seems to get deeper and deeper.
Here is your reply with some names included. I will cc: the list so that
others may not need to pose the same concerns/questions.
It is surprising that you didn't see the braces offered for sale on this
list as recently as March 2005, about two months ago, and several times in
2004. I had the impression that you kept abreast of things based on your
frequent posts to another list. I don't see why anyone would be under the
impression that the braces were no longer available. I have told everyone
that asked about brace availability, at least during the last 10 months,
that braces were available although all that I told didn't request one.
Yes, the ones for the half year cars are different than the ones for the
later cars.
It seems that YOUR partner in making/selling the copies of model ID plates,
after I sold one to you that I had made, whose name is Tim Waltz (printner
on ebay auction numbers 7967381121 & 7972906709) is one of those selling
the copy braces. It said in his auctions that he got them from a guy who
got them from a guy.... He is the one that said to the list in Dec 2002
that my braces were NLA. He and the list were informed at the time that
his statement was not correct. I in-fact sold a brace to him afterwards.
Maybe selling the brace copies satisfies a long time desire?
The other one with the copy braces on ebay is Lou Smaldino (ebay srl69dat
auction numbers 7971941137, 7973044388 & 7973555420), recently of Solvang
notoriety and he also made an unfounded accusation about me on 5/4 to the
list unless there is another Stan he was talking about. I did telephone
him and told him that his accusation was wrong and asked why he did it. I
also expressed my displeasure about the brace copies during the
conversation. During that conversation he told me that he paid $8 each for
the copy braces. He has managed to post 3 ebay auctions for copy braces
during his post Solvang anguish. He also said in his Farewell "I will
still be involved with my cars and some of the PARTS that are sold for
them,.." Does he have a silent parts associate? He did mention there was
some concern among some individuals about selling the brace copies.
The identical auction pictures tie the two together. I avoided giving
names until you asked. There is more information about the actual source
of the copies that isn't proper to discuss here.
Your after the fact suggestion for me to combat their sales by advertising
braces on ebay is not valid. You didn't contact me regarding brace
availability within the last two years. Your or others personal lack of
information about availability does not justify making or having copies
made. Your random thoughts/suggestions did not justify the copies that
were made and being sold. This is a free country and no one involved has
broken a law.
I will stick with what I said before. The small roadster community was not
benefited by these activities. This is only a hobby and the aggravation
may overwhelm the recreation. My reputation is what it is and I don't see
a need to have it revised. There are a number of roadster items that I
initiated that have been copied. After the development is done it seems
easier to make and sell cheap copies.
Sid, I hope that this message answers the possible questions from your
"random thoughts". I hope this message also illuminates any erroneous
implications in the auctions. If you need more information you can contact
me off list.
There has been too much discussion about this and other recent topics that
should be stopped. I will rest with this message and hope the subject is
put to bed.
I hope that Mothers Day at your place was good. It was good here.
Stan
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