Bill Stipe is going to make more shocks

[Benson]

Just spoke to JoAnn and ordered a set ...

Specialty Motor Cams

Stipe Machine Co. Inc

N5718 County Road M

Plymouth, WI 53073

Phone: 920-467-2895

Fax: 920-467-9700

[email protected]

[C26Pinelake]

Not a surprise. When you are that good and there is that much demand it is a natural thing to happen.
Wayne

[fiddlybits]

1 - They just ordered the material
2 - JoAnn has left for the day.
3- The line forms behind me.

[mshmodela]

Great news!

[ericr]

I decided to order a set, for several reasons. Like, I suppose, many of us that restored a car back in the 1980s, who really remembers where you bought your present shocks. I can't remember what I did last week. Also I hear such great things about Mr. Stipe's shocks, combined with the wisdom revealed on this blog that the cars operate significantly better with original-quality parts. Finally as one who has griped about lower-quality repro parts in general, sometimes, one has to put one's money where one's mouth is.

[harleytoprock]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yippie!

[Goldhardt]

Ok, I hate to ask, but how much is a set of Bill's shocks going to set me back? I have heard nothing but good about them. Since I have been driving around with no shocks, maybe it's time for me to bite the bullet as well. I'm only doing it once!

[Y-Blockhead]

$1100 + Shipping. I got mine in January, well worth the price.

Had to look it up, shipping was $35

[Goldhardt]

Thanks Y-Blockhead! I guess I'll try to hold my hand steady as I get the nerve to make the phone call.

[Y-Blockhead]

Here's what you see when you open the box!! They're Beautiful!



By the way, I saw this this morning under "New Items" at Snyder's... http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/5993

So Bill Stipes shocks aren't out of line.

[Goldhardt]

Now you are just making me jealous!

They appear to be a work of art!

[Mitch//pa]

quote y-blockhead;;;;By the way, I saw this this morning under "New Items" at Snyder's... http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/5993

interesting

[Goldhardt]

I wonder who Snyder's is getting them from?

[1931 flamingo]

I'd think they were Bill's.
Snyder's is only a phone call away.........................

Paul in CT

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

I'd think they were Bill's.
Snyder's is only a phone call away.........................

Paul in CT

I think I'd make sure before I bought them. Not that much more for the real deal.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

quote y-blockhead;;;;By the way, I saw this this morning under "New Items" at Snyder's... http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/5993

interesting

I noticed no stamping on the covers.

[larrys40]

Tom at Snyders said over 9 months ago they were working on these. He projected they would be about $1200 for a set. Looks like they are little less than that at 1K for a set not including arms/links. He said about a month ago they would be coming out in a matter of weeks. These aren't Stipe shocks as I understand it if that's what you are thinking.

As usual Snyders is very good at getting it done. Glad to see something coming down the pike as an option and source.

Larry

[foxfire42]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

$1100 + Shipping. I got mine in January, well worth the price.

Had to look it up, shipping was $35

Do you think he gives a Senior Discount?

[Manager]

Don't think you can criticise them(Snyders)for the shocks, as far as everyone knew Bill Stipe wasn't going to make them again.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Manager

Don't think you can criticise them(Snyders)for the shocks, as far as everyone knew Bill Stipe wasn't going to make them again.

Correction!!!! Please note that I have now seen in print where Bill stated that he planned to retire after that last run. I contacted him after the first run, this is now the third run.

Not everyone, some jumped to conclusions when he no longer had direct access to the machine that he used to make them.

He had all the programming so he needed to find the the same machine to make the run and still make enough money to make it worth his while.

I had contact with him just before he ended his first run.

This is in no way meant to demean Snyders shocks. We have not heard any hands on experience about them yet.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

The brutal truth is few people even know what a set of original shocks are like to compare them to an old M&S, ...or Stipe's, --or now Snyders. Isn't it a little unfair to start judging/comparing the Stipe vs. the Snyders shock? I know both of the manufacturers personally and there is more to it than piracy or copying.

[mshmodela]

Nice to see 2 manufactures of shocks as opposed to zero.

[Goldhardt]

Originally Posted by mshmodela

Nice to see 2 manufactures of shocks as opposed to zero.

I agree. A couple years ago, the only new shock you could buy was factory sealed. Everyone said not to waste your money on them because they were basically junk. As of today, we have two choices of refillable shocks at about the same price. We know one of them has proven to be an excellent product. The other is brand new to the market and has no track record at this time. But if it turns out like their other products, it too will probably be top of the line. It shows that when there is a need for a quality product and enough people are willing to pay for that quality, the suppliers will eventually come. This is great for our hobby!

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Goldhardt

I agree. A couple years ago, the only new shock you could buy was factory sealed. Everyone said not to waste your money on them because they were basically junk. As of today, we have two choices of refillable shocks at about the same price. We know one of them has proven to be an excellent product. The other is brand new to the market and has no track record at this time. But if it turns out like their other products, it too will probably be top of the line. It shows that when there is a need for a quality product and enough people are willing to pay for that quality, the suppliers will eventually come. This is great for our hobby!

Great thoughts ....with the additional thought of do you think the market can withstand two manufacturers?

My point is they were difficult to sell with one manufacturer, ...and now with two, there is a distinct possibility that there will no longer be enough profit with ½ the theoretical sales to be a worthwhile project for one of the manufacturers. Then what?

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Great thoughts ....with the additional thought of do you think the market can withstand two manufacturers?

My point is they were difficult to sell with one manufacturer, ...and now with two, there is a distinct possibility that there will no longer be enough profit with ½ the theoretical sales to be a worthwhile project for one of the manufacturers. Then what?

its like anything else, the strong will survive

[Goldhardt]

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Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Great thoughts ....with the additional thought of do you think the market can withstand two manufacturers?

My point is they were difficult to sell with one manufacturer, ...and now with two, there is a distinct possibility that there will no longer be enough profit with ½ the theoretical sales to be a worthwhile project for one of the manufacturers. Then what?

I think the problem is marketing. I had never heard of Bill until I started following this forum a few years ago. I now not only respect him for what he has done for our hobby, but have come to realize that he is an engineering genius. That being said, I have had Snyder's catalogs and been buying parts from them for over 20 years. They also have a top notch website. They are arguably a marketing genius. Maybe in a perfect world, Bill would have became a supplier to Snyder's and they both would have been fine. Unfortunately, you and Mitch may be right. Only the strongest one will survive.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Goldhardt

As of today, we have two choices of refillable shocks...

That brings up a question, are Stipes (and now Snyder's) rebuildable? Who has seals/parts? Type of oil?

Just curious, I doubt I have to worry about it, by the way they look and perform they probably will outlast the time I have left.

[CarlG]

Snyder's sells a lot of Bill Stipes creations. They just don't advertise who makes them. Case in point is the camshaft that I bought from Snyders. It came clearly marked -- on the camshaft itself -- as being an IB330 from Stipes.

I have bought from Bill direct, but also have quite a few of his creations that I bought from other places; Snyder's, Bert's, etc. Some I didn't know were his until after I bought them.

[mhsprecher]

I have one set of Robert Paul rebuilts on one car and another set on order, so I am set, but I wonder whether I should buy a set of Stipe shocks just in case? If production is limited, or the market is not there or if rebuilders stop rebuilding? Expensive insurance, but they are not likely to lose their value.

[fiddlybits]

Originally Posted by foxfire42

Do you think he gives a Senior Discount?

I think any discounts should be NON-senior discounts to promote younger participant's in the hobby.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

That brings up a question, are Stipes (and now Snyder's) rebuildable? Who has seals/parts? Type of oil?
.

I was told that one can replace the cover of Bill's shock with an original cover so at least those two seals are the same as the ones sold by the vendors.

[MrBruce]

I keep hearing about Stipe, and all the while I lived in Wisconsin (born and raised) and into Model A's never heard of him. When up there this summer I will have to slip over to Plymouth, WI and see his operation.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by MrBruce

I keep hearing about Stipe, and all the while I lived in Wisconsin (born and raised) and into Model A's never heard of him. When up there this summer I will have to slip over to Plymouth, WI and see his operation.

I think Bill moved south. Something I should do also.

[Del in NE Ohio]

Snyder's shocks are made in Brazil by the same guy that makes the new 16", 19" and 21" wheels. I've seen them. Look to be pretty nice. They have them in stock.

[Greg Jones]

Tom-Come on down to Aiken, South Carolina. You would make a GREAT neighbor (and boy would I keep you busy)!

[Bill Stipe]

Well I guess I need to clear things up because the internet can really mess things up.
First thing is yes I am retiring to some degree but will keep designing and improving things in the old car world just so my competition has to work harder keeping up coping my designs! hehehe LOL
The products that I have designed and made for over 20 years are not going away, whether I sell my company or my Son Tony continues in my foot steps!!
But seems there always someone ( mostly on the internet that's starts the whole mess that the sky is falling and there will be no more anything.
Yes I had said a while back that if you wanted shocks please put your order in this is my last run that I am retiring to Kentucky, which is true but what I should have said is the XYZ company will be making them in the future!
It turns out my son is going to do his best to keep things going and not the XYZ Co.
If I had a crystal ball I could have told everyone that's what is going to happen.
So with that said yes I am moving to Auburn, Kentucky with my engine dyno ( hopefully this year yet as my wife has been there 2-1/2 years and I have to drive back and forth. I will have enough equipment to build engines and proto type parts that hopefully my son can mass produce.
I had 2 guys retire about a 1-1/2 ago and yes we are behind on products but the machines are turning every day and with a new guy my son hired and possibly one more this spring he should start to catch up.
So thanks for all you support over the years and hopefully for my son all your support will help him continue in this tuff economy.
Bill Stipe

[CarlG]

Thanks, Bill, I (for one) appreciate everything you have done for the Model A hobby and continue to enjoy the few of your creations that I have been privileged to obtain. (even if I did get some of them from Bert's or Snyder's)

[Goldhardt]

"The products that I have designed and made for over 20 years are not going away." - Bill Stipe


Now we have it, straight from the horse's mouth! Thanks Bill, for the clarification and what you have done for our hobby. It is appreciated!

[earbleeder]

Originally Posted by Goldhardt

"The products that I have designed and made for over 20 years are not going away." - Bill Stipe


Now we have it, straight from the horse's mouth! Thanks Bill, for the clarification and what you have done for our hobby. It is appreciated!

Like music to my ears.

[mshmodela]

Originally Posted by Bill Stipe

Well I guess I need to clear things up because the internet can really mess things up.
First thing is yes I am retiring to some degree but will keep designing and improving things in the old car world just so my competition has to work harder keeping up coping my designs! hehehe LOL
The products that I have designed and made for over 20 years are not going away, whether I sell my company or my Son Tony continues in my foot steps!!
But seems there always someone ( mostly on the internet that's starts the whole mess that the sky is falling and there will be no more anything.
Yes I had said a while back that if you wanted shocks please put your order in this is my last run that I am retiring to Kentucky, which is true but what I should have said is the XYZ company will be making them in the future!
It turns out my son is going to do his best to keep things going and not the XYZ Co.
If I had a crystal ball I could have told everyone that's what is going to happen.
So with that said yes I am moving to Auburn, Kentucky with my engine dyno ( hopefully this year yet as my wife has been there 2-1/2 years and I have to drive back and forth. I will have enough equipment to build engines and proto type parts that hopefully my son can mass produce.
I had 2 guys retire about a 1-1/2 ago and yes we are behind on products but the machines are turning every day and with a new guy my son hired and possibly one more this spring he should start to catch up.
So thanks for all you support over the years and hopefully for my son all your support will help him continue in this tuff economy.
Bill Stipe

Bill, Great news that your Son is giving it a go --you must be very proud of him. Best wishes in Kentucky.

-A very happy Customer,

[ericr]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

The brutal truth is few people even know what a set of original shocks are like to compare them to an old M&S, ...or Stipe's, --or now Snyders. Isn't it a little unfair to start judging/comparing the Stipe vs. the Snyders shock? I know both of the manufacturers personally and there is more to it than piracy or copying.

why, sure, I would doubt there are or were many NOS shocks floating around. and someone has commented, maybe it was you, that some "rebuilds" of old shocks were simply clean-ups of worn units that did not have the performance of originals. Also, who knows what the original useful life of these shocks were?

I don't quite understand your last sentence about piracy....is Black Beard making shocks now? jk.

[fiddlybits]

WOOT WOOT

Mine just arrived.
They are so pretty looking...all shiny and clean.

can I just clear coat them????

Going on tonight...gonna drive them tomorrow.

[H. L. Chauvin]

FWIW:

1. Received a set of Bill Stipe's shocks this past January 2015.

2. Adjusted shocks with a homemade tool similar to the K.R. Wilson Tool; i.e., a weight of 53.8 ounces provided with its center of gravity located 26-1/2 " away from the center of the protruding shock shaft.

3. To compensate for varying shock oil viscosity between the Ford Bulletin's wide range of assumed temperatures, a linear scaled graph was drawn between estimated ambient temperatures vs. Ford recommended wide range of 15-1/2 seconds through 58 seconds, whereby seconds were adjusted for ambient temperature on the day tested . (Have no idea what was the 1928 through 1931 varying shock fluid viscosities ....... test was conducted with Bill Stipe's recommended shock oil.)

4. In my opinion, the usual recommended 1/8 to 1/4 turn off of tight shock adjustment was found to produce results about as accurate as trying to build mahogany furniture with a chain saw and an axe at midnight while wearing a welding helmet and after drinking 2 bottles of whiskey.

5. Three of the four re-built shocks I had were incorrectly assembled in reverse; one of the four rebuilt shocks could barely pass the simulated K.R. Wilson test with a simulated K.R. Wilson tool.

6. There still exist today a few common sense gentlemen striving for perfection. Bill Stipe's shocks can pass the simulated K.R. Wilson test and can make a Model A ride comfortably on less than perfect back roads when compared to having no shocks, or worse, when compared to having terrible incorrect shocks rebuilt in reverse.

Just hope this helps to share one (1) more simple, actual experience on Model A shocks.