Bill Stipe is going to make more shocks

[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,