Unique Performance scam

[Scatpack]

The more I read about this, the more I don't want to read anymore. I just think its very unfortunate for everyone that fronted big money for these cars getting screwed over completely or having $140,000 shells getting tied up in a government investigation (which never ends well). A lot of them lost their dream. I think that whether or not someone has money doesn't mean anything when it comes to who's an enthusiast and who's not. If you're part of the design process and are around helping out and talking with other car guys, you add to this hobby same as anyone. I'm building my car out of my buddies garage right now because that's what I have to work with and every new area on the car is something that I'm choosing to learn. But I look to a lot of the high dollar builds for inspiration and ideas on what's possible. Someone pays for those builds and it sure isn't me. But I see benefit from it and that all adds to the quality of work out there. Sometimes I may get a little jealous and wish my car could be finished likity split and with the sickest stuff out there. But that's not an option for me, but it is for some. To say that they are more deserving of getting ripped off just isn't right. The guy that plops down $140000 for his Eleanor may still go to bed dreaming about it every night for a year.

Long post, but I also feel bad for the quality shops that are honest and churn out great cars with integrity. I pray you're treated with integrity and value and that your character shows through.

It's just scary that shops like Unique and, from the sounds of it, Hennessey are out there. It makes you appreciate the good ones.

[MrQuick]

I agree, but remember integrity in this business is measured by successfully builds and happy past customers.

Most will not drop down a bunch of money if we didn't do research on the shop. I think I could find a few shops that would build our dream car for less than $140.

Don't know exactly were im going with this but I think what I was trying to say is don't lose hope on the industry due to a few bad apples. Do research and ask questions before you invest your hard earned money.

ok enough talk, I gotta get back out to the foundery and forge another frame for my Chevelle.

[68fusion]

Sounds like someones got a chip on their shoulder!

I'm a "Check Writer" and proud of it!

I'll tell you, straight out, I can't bend tube or weld like Ironworks and if I'm going to build a car to the level that I want but don't have the talent then I'm going to pay someone who can!

Got a problem with that?

John

Check writers welcome at my place...it tends to keep the bills paid!

As for UP , we gained a customer who was going to purchase a SS mustang. Showing him the poor quality and paint issues made it easy to talk him out of spending 200k with UP.

[dqhemi]

We've had two instances, one very recently, where shops have contacted us about parts for builds and never ordered anything. Some time later, their customer calls us thinking the items for their cars had been purchased, when we never got anything other than a convrsation or two.

In one instance the shop created bogus invoices of ours showing he had paid a deposit to us and was a dealer of our products, with nonexistent part numbers, notes from employees with names that don't match anyone here past or present. Was pretty freaky and scary. Customer is now likely doing the whole job with us.

We're also dealing with some Unique customers who even though they got burned there are looking to do builds, which is really commendable that they are still that passionate even after having gotten clipped badly.

[jeff s]

Isn't (wasn't) Unique part of Quantum Tecstar, including Wheel to Wheel, Classic Design Concepts? Isn't John Moss part of that?
They get all the TV coverage from episodes of Payback, Overhaulin, etc being recorded at their facilities. I wonder how that is gonna be affected by this deal.

Check this link:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...25/208461.html

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

If this is viewed as having a chip on one's shoulder by the population of this site, I think I'll be sticking around and posting more... much more. We'll call it a "Reality Cheque".

keep posting.. more like "Ignorant Cheque".. get you banned quick..

I suggest you make a new screen name and start a new life!

and this is from a part builder, part cheque writer, all open mind..

[Dayton]

Serves all of those cheque-book "hot rodders" right.

I'm a charter member of the "check writers" club. I write many checks. Why don't you come to my house and mow my lawn and I will write you a check? Clean my pool? Clean my house?

[BADVELLE]

Hey motorhead -

What the hell is Crapmare (is that pronounced Crap mar)??
What the hell is a Feather Duster (seriously)??

Just curious.

By the way, I don't write my checks, my wife does!

[TonyL]

Excessive money: the root of the downfall of the hobby for the true enthusiast. Excessive money ruined Unique Performance. It is the average "car guy", the ones who turn their own wrenches while building cars on limited budgets and limitless imagination that alone drive this hobby

Wrong. It is innovators (big spenders) who drive this hobby. Guys who have the "ultimate cars" built that give hope and a goal to strive for for "regular guys" These guys pump out the research and development that trickle down to builders like me and you. Without cars that have become household names, this hobby would die.

If this is viewed as having a chip on one's shoulder by the population of this site, I think I'll be sticking around and posting more... much more. We'll call it a "Reality Cheque".

If the tone of your posts continue I'll have to ban you. No one is allowed to come here and kill the vibe with "My way of building a car is the only *true* way to do it" attitude.

How's that for a "Reality Check"?

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

period..

[Scatpack]

period..

Hahaha, not a good day for Stallone

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

or motorheadmike..

[4MuscleMachines]

Isn't (wasn't) Unique part of Quantum Tecstar, including Wheel to Wheel, Classic Design Concepts? Isn't John Moss part of that?
They get all the TV coverage from episodes of Payback, Overhaulin, etc being recorded at their facilities. I wonder how that is gonna be affected by this deal.

Check this link:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...25/208461.html

I was thinking the same thing after seeing the UP guy at W2W several times during the show Payback. I hope the guy is not involved in any way with other shops.

[Benoit23]

Wow! What have I been missing out on here?
It took me a few pages of reading to catch up.

I build my own bc I don't have the money to pay someone, If I had the money I would have it for the most part contracted out.

Damn it, I wish I could afford to write a check to have it done for me.

[MrQuick]

yeah, that's fine but you don't have to hate or talk trash about those who do pay others to do the work.

A wise man once said "a mind is much like a parachute, it must be open to work at its full potential"...before he kicked out the back of a perfectly good airplane.

Damn, Im glad I got rid of that shirt.

[Benoit23]

yeah, that's fine but you don't have to hate or talk trash about those who do pay others to do the work.

Yeah, I totally agree.

[jaybee]

Hope I'm not wading in here over my head but IMO there's a couple of different kinds of "cheque writers". On the one hand are people who don't have skills, time, or both to build a killer car but can pay someone to do that. I'm grateful to them. It's thanks to them that we have custom brake kits, crate motors, special-order wiring harnesses, and a host of other things that make it possible to build a better car, more easily, and in many cases more affordably (for the level of function) than was ever possible in the days when hot rodding meant an old, small car out of the woods and dropping in a newer, bigger engine out of a junkyard. I don't even care what style of car they prefer. Domestic, import, exotic, street rod, restorer, whatever, they're all cool. The car hobby is way to small to get your nose out of joint over what are really minor distinctions.

Then there are the guys that make it a point to spend more than something really ought to be worth for an "investment" that they don't care about and will keep in a warehouse someplace until some other form of "investment looks better. Or the ones that spend big bucks on a car not because they love cars but because they want to rub their money in everyone else's face. They bring their latest toy to a show and shine and talk down at everyone else, people who are very proud of what they put their blood, sweat, tears, labor, and hard-earned cash into. They can take a flying leap as far as I'm concerned.

Then again every hobby has its share of jerks.

[Damn True]

A wise man once said "a mind is much like a parachute, it must be open to work at its full potential"...before he kicked out the back of a perfectly good airplane.

D.B. Cooper?

[WS6]

Hope I'm not wading in here over my head but IMO there's a couple of different kinds of "cheque writers". On the one hand are people who don't have skills, time, or both to build a killer car but can pay someone to do that. I'm grateful to them. It's thanks to them that we have custom brake kits, crate motors, special-order wiring harnesses, and a host of other things that make it possible to build a better car, more easily, and in many cases more affordably (for the level of function) than was ever possible in the days when hot rodding meant an old, small car out of the woods and dropping in a newer, bigger engine out of a junkyard. I don't even care what style of car they prefer. Domestic, import, exotic, street rod, restorer, whatever, they're all cool. The car hobby is way to small to get your nose out of joint over what are really minor distinctions.

Then there are the guys that make it a point to spend more than something really ought to be worth for an "investment" that they don't care about and will keep in a warehouse someplace until some other form of "investment looks better. Or the ones that spend big bucks on a car not because they love cars but because they want to rub their money in everyone else's face. They bring their latest toy to a show and shine and talk down at everyone else, people who are very proud of what they put their blood, sweat, tears, labor, and hard-earned cash into. They can take a flying leap as far as I'm concerned.

Then again every hobby has its share of jerks.

While I agree that the second type of check writers are a-holes and I will have nothing to do with them, they still are funding research and bringing dreams and innovations to light. My suggestion is to roll your eyes at the creep while admiring the hopefully amazing work that the check casher ie the shop did on the vehicle. Don't hate the car because of the owner.

[TonyL]

Don't hate the car because of the owner.

This.