LeBarron Bonney name bought by Ekler's

[37 Coupe]

Probably old news but I just read in the latest Old Cars Weekly that the LeBarron Bonney name and assets were bought by Eckler's ( Mac's) for $130,000.with no mention of what they intend to do with it. Hopefully if they still have some inventory items will be returned to proper owners.I know of two parties that sent in parts like seats to be recovered and a set of rare door panels that money down and cores themselves were kept. One guy is out about $400 and the other several thousands. I just hope they start making good tops and top boots again.

[rotorwrench]

There is another hearing scheduled for 6/30/2020 so I don't know if it is all over or not. The trustee tried to get the sale done to SMS Auto Fabrics late last year but wrenches were thrown into the cog by creditors. It lists Eckler's as a creditor but it also lists a Bank. They show evidence of filing for compensation recently on the part of those involved but it doesn't seem to be a completely done deal yet. Eckler's already has the Cartouche brand but big corporations are all about brand power. No telling what they will do with it.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Hate to say it but I believe anyone who is owed money or parts is just going to be SOL.

I wouldn't hold my breath expecting any kind of refund.

[barry022]

I'll say this about Lebarron Bonney, I purchased a complete interior kit for a 1930 Model A Ford in the late 1970s and everything about the kit was top notch. Every pleat was sewn straight and the door panels were an exact fit and the kit was easy to install. I was impressed. I don't know what the quality is like today with interior kits purchased from other companies, but I was totally satisfied with the kit from Lebarron Bonney.

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by barry022

I'll say this about Lebarron Bonney, I purchased a complete interior kit for a 1930 Model A Ford in the late 1970s and everything about the kit was top notch. Every pleat was sewn straight and the door panels were an exact fit and the kit was easy to install. I was impressed. I don't know what the quality is like today with interior kits purchased from other companies, but I was totally satisfied with the kit from Lebarron Bonney.

Most companies owned by the the founder or his family establish and maintain a high standard for quality and customer service. Unfortunately, when these companies are bought out by big corporations both quality and customer service often suffer.

As pointed out above, most corporations are about making money. They are buying the brand and the “good will” created by the founder(s). Whether the new owners maintain the high standards of the original owner is to be seen.

David Serrano

[TerryO]

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I have 2 complete interiors still in the boxes from the late 70's and early 80's. I hope they are still good. These go with my 2 coupe projects.

TOB

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by TerryO

I have 2 complete interiors still in the boxes from the late 70's and early 80's. I hope they are still good. These go with my 2 coupe projects.

TOB

Why did you buy them 40 - 50 years in advance? I would think the quality guarantee has expired a few decades ago !

[TerryO]

Both came with projects that are still some day projects...


TOB

[ronn]

well said Cali. 100% correct. doubt LB will ever be what it was. you want to make a profit? you outsource........

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Jeff your right, LB took me for a few hundred bucks, at least I got most of a kit that shipped the last day they were open. Claim process is insanely complex for an individual so I just moved on. Hopefully the owner never tries his hand at business again, he screwed a few folks a lot worse than me no matter what good intentions he may have had.

[ronn]

sorry to hear that Steve


we all get a traffic ticket now and then, no matter how well we drive.

[JRHASZARD]

I still have a complete LB kit for a 30 Tudor bought several years ago and still in the boxes. Glad I got them when I did. I don't work too fast either.

[neds29]

A classic, classic American company. Too bad about it. I bought a complete interior and top kit for my '29 roadster back in the '70's and installed it myself. It was beautiful. Recently I found the receipts and can't believe how reasonably priced it was, at the time I was a captain in the Army with almost no discretionary money. I now live in Ipswich, MA and stopped by Amesbury several years ago to visit. They were very friendly with no indications of trouble. When I saw their roadster for sale on ebay I thought "uh-oh". Sad.
Ned

[Purdy Swoft]

I traded some body and paint work to a friend for a LeBarron Bonney interior kit for my 31 tudor , it was a breeze to install . I'm glad that I got the kit when I did .

[37 Coupe]

Originally Posted by neds29

A classic, classic American company. Too bad about it. I bought a complete interior and top kit for my '29 roadster back in the '70's and installed it myself. It was beautiful. Recently I found the receipts and can't believe how reasonably priced it was, at the time I was a captain in the Army with almost no discretionary money. I now live in Ipswich, MA and stopped by Amesbury several years ago to visit. They were very friendly with no indications of trouble. When I saw their roadster for sale on ebay I thought "uh-oh". Sad.
Ned

Anybody know where the roadster went? Was it green?

[alanwoodieman]

about the time all this blew up, I had an interior kit for a 40 wagon that the ship date kept getting pushed back. I call the credit card company and had them back charge LB-low and behold they sent me the kit and then called and asked if I was going to pay for it! I did of course but gave me such a bad taste I have never installed it. Lee Atherton would be rolling in his grave and his son in law Stan Brown should be tarred and feathered

[Jeff/Illinois]

[QUOTE=alanwoodieman;1903851Lee Atherton would be rolling in his grave and his son in law Stan Brown should be tarred and feathered[/QUOTE]

Have they got a kit for that??

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Have they got a kit for that??

Jeff,

Send your check in and wait. It may or may not come!

David Serrano

[Oldbluoval]

Hopefully Eklers got material and/or patterns or something tangible.
The goodwill is long gone
LB was typical of a lot of business these days....
They ran out of quality craftsmen to make their product
Restoration is a dying art.
If it can’t come in a blister pack at a big box store, ...forget about it. Big business and our over-thinking MBA’s have failed the country!
Don’t get me started on Big Pharma! Off my soap box
Where’s the Tylenol? Oh yeah made offshore too??

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Have they got a kit for that??

Yes, but the quality is poor since they are made in China!