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Zcars Closes....


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#31 CoenZ

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Posted 02 December 2015 - 10:38 AM

Really depressing !!!!

 

That's what I'd say..... game over.....



#32 andrewswe

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Posted 02 December 2015 - 11:19 AM

Some of it is on ebay already 172016873017



#33 RemKingston

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Posted 02 December 2015 - 11:25 AM

Some of it is on ebay already 172016873017

 

Nothing on eBay under that item number bud.



#34 andrewswe

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Posted 02 December 2015 - 09:23 PM

It was, then it vanished, now it's back.



#35 RemKingston

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Posted 03 December 2015 - 09:05 PM

I didn't think the jigs were for sale?
We've spent the day at ZCARS loading up the van with our auction lots and everything was going except for the jigs and designs / intellectual property elements owned by ZCARS ltd and not ZCARS Performance Engineering Ltd

Would be interested to know if this jig was supposed to have been removed to be honest.

Edited by RemKingston, 03 December 2015 - 09:06 PM.


#36 Tupers

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Posted 03 December 2015 - 09:34 PM

I didn't think the jigs were for sale?
We've spent the day at ZCARS loading up the van with our auction lots and everything was going except for the jigs and designs / intellectual property elements owned by ZCARS ltd and not ZCARS Performance Engineering Ltd

Would be interested to know if this jig was supposed to have been removed to be honest.

 

"Large Quantity of Pre-Fabricated Seamless & Seamed Tubing - Jigs & Other Components to Manufacture Z Cars"  Clicky

 

Looks like a load of jigs to me. 



#37 RemKingston

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 12:40 AM

I stand corrected! It certainly was part of the lots auctioned.  Thank you Tuppers!

But you wouldn't legally be able to create and then sell kits made with this from my understanding that the rights to do so remain with ZCARS Ltd.

 

I think the ebay link implies this but I'm not really sure what would stop the new owner doing so?



#38 andream88

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 02:00 AM

I don't see the main jig used by Zcars to build the frames....



#39 RemKingston

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 09:34 AM

True, it allows part of the kit to be created.  The main jigs are still owned by ZCARS Ltd as well as the rights to produce any of their kits in whole or part.



#40 El Minion

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 11:27 AM

I was there there when everyone was there emptying the place.. It was a very depressing sight after it has been such an exiting place to just visit over the years.

 

The impression I got was that Chris has has finally decided to retire and doesn't trust/want anyone else to carry the business on. All/some of the jigs, building contents have been sold along with the building itself. The motorcross track out the back of zcars has also vanished, not sure how long ago that went? 

To be honest I really don't blame him, I think any one of us in his position would also want to retire! I just think a few of us would have gone about it in a slightly different way.

Shame really as there was such a pool of talented engineers. On the up side we do now have a few of these skilled guys setting up on their own. 



#41 Chris allanson

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Posted 04 December 2015 - 08:42 PM

Ok guys just an update for you from the only person that really knows what's going on
The item on e bay is a load of steel and some small jigs
Some of them obsolete z cars autograss wishbone jigs etc
The auctioneer described them as he did and I would say he hasn't quite grasped what they were
The real jigs for the minis are substantial things built on heavy tables etc and are still here.
The stock has been purchased by two staunch z cars customers of very long standing
As you know elsewhere on the forum I'd posted that I was trying to find a buyer to carry the job on
They were an established kit car company and I had high hopes however it has come to nothing over the last few weeks

I have some heavy commitments myself over the next ten weeks and have to say I'm very rusty as to what exactly all the current parts are and where they have been sourced etc
Five years ago I knew every little thing and I need to get back up to speed.
The two customers who have bought the stock and myself are considering if we can pool resources and carry on
One of them is in the middle of setting up brand new premises with some state of the art gear
The other is heavily involved in engineering to a high standard
Having had my fingers burnt by the last attempt by someone to run z cars I don't want to pre judge where we may end up but currently we have a view to setting the job back up properly
Focussing on customer service as a priority
I've had a lot of encouragement from old and potentially new customers to carry on but just for the next few weeks it cannot happen because of both my commitments and one of the guys having to get his premises sorted

I would suggest that nothing firm will happen prior to Christmas
The good news is that the stock has fallen into two hands who are not in it to make a fast buck but are committed z cars fans who couldn't bear to see it go to waste.

I will keep you posted as soon as I know more about it
I don't want to run the job myself again as I have a life outside now but I would be there to guide the new guys so it carried on
We have discussed making some mods to the kits and upping the specs in various areas and this may well be an opportune time to do so.

The two QBA drive box hay bursa kits that went in the auction were just bare frames no wishbones drive shafts etc etc so are the bare minimum kit
Anyone wanting to set up building replicas would face an uphill struggle to finish the kits fully.

The fat lady hasn't started to sing yet so give it a few weeks and see what happens

There have been several approaches made to me this week about carrying it on and it remains to be seen if it can be done to a standard I'd be happy with

Chris

#42 minitoadhall

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Posted 07 December 2015 - 08:15 PM

I do hope for the sake of all Z car fans and past customers that the fat lady disnae loose her voice. Good luck Chris whatever you decide to do. Have Z cars kit sitting in garage unstarted. Cannae make up my mind whether tae make a start on it no ?   






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