[texas_mustang]

Originally Posted by retrobuilt Thank you MSCLCAR for putting it into perspective from a financial view point. I realize many people can't fathom spending those kinds of dollars. I feel it speaks highly of the product itself to know that much went into it. That sounds easy to say considering it wasn't my money, I just designed it and came up with the concept. It took a group of us 1000's of hours to do this correctly. We are very pleased with the product, to see these cars in person makes a big difference. Thanks again for the support. Tony

cant fathom spending that kind of money? its a million dollars.

[fdjizm]

i think a boss 429 badge should go on that car

[NamelessLiar]

Hey retro, nice job! I can tell it's your Baby cause you are definitely quick to defend.

Here's my question, do you sell the body kits separately? or do you just take the car in and do it yourself? Cause I'm the kind of guy that doesn't let ANYBODY touch my sweetheart. I've done all of my work myself (with the exception of sending parts out for paint) and I want to keep it that way. I like the back end, would you consider selling those parts individually? Seems that alot of people here like the back as well so there might be a market in selling the individual pieces...help you to get that $1M back a little faster lol

[07stanggt]

so if you spent a million on r&d you need to sell about 1000 of these just to see black? Good luck.

dont take it personal. Some guys are not into body kits or looks. some people like the factory look and performance mods. When your one of us boneheads you just cant see spending that much money on body kits thats all.

[mustang fanatic]

I would look into selling individual pieces. I think the rear is awesome. At least sell a kit where you can convert the tail lights. Those are the sickest part of the car IMO. I would carry your parts!!

[texas_mustang]

^ thats the best idea

sell individual parts. because i love the rear end but the front is fugly imo

[EfylSetaf]

Originally Posted by 07stanggt so if you spent a million on r&d you need to sell about 1000 of these just to see black? Good luck. dont take it personal. Some guys are not into body kits or looks. some people like the factory look and performance mods. When your one of us boneheads you just cant see spending that much money on body kits thats all.

50 orders a year at the baseline $40k a pop = $2.0 million. Per year. Let's be crazy and say he has to hire extra help and his costs go through the roof and he only makes 25%... that's a half million in pre-tax profit.

Looks like a pretty sound business model to me. Worst case scenario would be if he goes half-arsed on marketing and nobody hears about it....



The more I look at the front, the more it looks like a streamlined old school Aston Martin DB5 from the Bond movies... like Goldfinger or something.

[Mickey]

I think the bodykit is a beautiful design. Best of luck to you guys!

[07stanggt]

Originally Posted by EfylSetaf 50 orders a year at the baseline $40k a pop = $2.0 million. Per year. Let's be crazy and say he has to hire extra help and his costs go through the roof and he only makes 25%... that's a half million in pre-tax profit. Looks like a pretty sound business model to me. Worst case scenario would be if he goes half-arsed on marketing and nobody hears about it.... The more I look at the front, the more it looks like a streamlined old school Aston Martin DB5 from the Bond movies... like Goldfinger or something.

Maybe i should have read the article the kit itself cost 40,000, with no car? thats the only way your math would even start to make sense? lets says its 25% pre-tax profit and its just the kit that cost that so they make 10 grand on each kit according to your 25% pretax profit projection, at the lowest corp tax rate 35% thats 6500 in net profit. and they spent a million on r&D thats 154 kits to get in the black. at your projected 40 units per year it will take the 4 years to break even. long shot.

Plus not a lot of stangbangers can afford 40,000 on a body kit by itself. that brings your gt up to about a $70,000 car. Lot of money to spend on r&d on that type of venture good luck.

I agree with the boys better peice that out.

[texas_mustang]

^ exactly

for 70k you could have a car much nicer than a ford

[EfylSetaf]

Originally Posted by texas_mustang ^ exactly for 70k you could have a car much nicer than a ford

And yet Ford's selling $70k Mustangs?

And 07 - it's probably only going to take 50 orders to break into black with profit. Do the math, the website says the full conversion (they aren't kits...) costs $40k. 50 x $40,000 = $2,000,000. I'd guess he broke even somewhere in there. And I don't know what country you're in, but taxes don't kick in until you turn a profit, so he's best off paying salary to everyone and paying off their bills. Next year it's all gravy - fixed and variable operating costs.

Hey, I'm not arguing that it's freaking expensive! I'm arguing that there are at least 50 people out there that'll buy one. I see cars on a daily basis that cost well over $100,000. This weekend I saw four that cost over $200,000. (2 Bentley's, 1 Bugatti and one shiny Ferrari Spider something or other.)

New Challengers are commanding, what? $70k right now?

Are all those cars overpriced? You betcha! Are there people who can buy one or two or what? You betcha! Am I? No way!

Keep in mind there's people regularly buying houses around here in excess of a million dollars. It's a big, big world, and there's always people with silly money. Key is making things they want to spend it on.

[07stanggt]

Originally Posted by EfylSetaf And yet Ford's selling $70k Mustangs? And 07 - it's probably only going to take 50 orders to break into black with profit. Do the math, the website says the full conversion (they aren't kits...) costs $40k. 50 x $40,000 = $2,000,000. I'd guess he broke even somewhere in there. And I don't know what country you're in, but taxes don't kick in until you turn a profit, so he's best off paying salary to everyone and paying off their bills. Next year it's all gravy - fixed and variable operating costs. Hey, I'm not arguing that it's freaking expensive! I'm arguing that there are at least 50 people out there that'll buy one. I see cars on a daily basis that cost well over $100,000. This weekend I saw four that cost over $200,000. (2 Bentley's, 1 Bugatti and one shiny Ferrari Spider something or other.) New Challengers are commanding, what? $70k right now? Are all those cars overpriced? You betcha! Are there people who can buy one or two or what? You betcha! Am I? No way! Keep in mind there's people regularly buying houses around here in excess of a million dollars. It's a big, big world, and there's always people with silly money. Key is making things they want to spend it on.

LOL. now i understand completely. im not sure what country im in either, can someone tell me.

[ZOOTOXIN]

Originally Posted by mustang fanatic Check out this Ebay auction for retromods new body kit. If I had that kind of cash I would totally do it. I think it looks pretty sick. eBay Motors: Ford : Mustang (item 120278808535 end time Jul-08-08 08:29:43 PDT)

OK..it is hard for me to say but I would trade my 03 Cobra in a second...for a mineral gray one of course. I hope my car didnt hear that!

[ZOOTOXIN]

Originally Posted by retrobuilt Hello, thanks everyone for your input on the Retromods conversion. Keep in mind this is not a kit, those of you who understand what it takes to completely rebody a car know that a huge amount of time and effort go into something like this. You also have to understand what comes with it at that price, wheels, tires, underdrives and cold air induction, suspension and exhaust upgrades. We repaint the entire vehicle any color you want too. You can spend $40K on an old mustang but will you drive it in 100 degree weather or take a trip from LA to NYC with your wife. The concept here is to have the reliability of the new car with the style and looks of the old. We know it's not for everyone...that's fine. We can only hand build 50 of these a year so it really is for the person who really wants to be different and has a few bucks to spend doing it. Thanks again for the input...keep it coming...

GREAT JOB...no sour grapes hear!

[mustanginca]

That thing looks horrible. Especially for 39,999 there are a lot of other things I could do with that amount of cash. Looks like the 70's cobra II which just weren't that attractive to begin with. Cervinni's looks way better.

[mustanginca]

I read farther up and I agree about parting out the kit. I like the rear just not the front.

[1FUN4RD]

Originally Posted by mustang fanatic No the 2009s are out already. 2010 is when they change

Anything new for the 09s?? new options??

[ZOOTOXIN]

Originally Posted by texas_mustang cant fathom spending that kind of money? its a million dollars.

money makes money buddy. no spendy or risk...no rewards. someone may like his talents and workmanship and bring him on as a FORD contract. get your abilities out there...shelby did. wonder how many people hated it when he changed the most popular car of its time. Sure some did, but look now.

I certainly cant buy one now...but if I could collect stangs I would grab one just because it is custom and you won't see 50,000 at a red light.

[retrobuilt]

Hello, thanks again to you guys that have put it into perspective. Every time I try to explain it, it comes across as being self serving. As you can see by crunching the numbers it makes sense. We've not even mentioned the convertible version and the 69 Boss 302 and 429 cars that we will be releasing later this year. There is a 67 GT version that we built for Holman Moody, the Bullit version and the 67 GT500SS are also on the drawing board. To be honest most of the cars ordered so far are going to dealers overseas...yes...Dubia and Europe....

[retrobuilt]

I have a question??? How can you possibly have an ounce of mustang blood in your veins and make a statement like "That thing looks horrible" the entire car is based on one of the most popular body styles of all time?
Anyway...