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Re: Revisionist parts from Rimmers?

To: "Jeff McNeal" <jmcneal@ohms.com>
Subject: Re: Revisionist parts from Rimmers?
From: "Graham Stretch" <technical@iwnet.screaming.net>
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 18:53:34 -0000
Hi Jeff
I haven't trusted messers Rimmer Brothers since about 7 years ago when I
ordered a new front Valance panel for a Dolomite, I asked was it genuine was
told yes knowing that Unipart couldn't supply a new one I queried the answer
and the telephonist (they don't appear to be experts as in some places!)
called to someone else and was told yes they are genuine. As I had already
dry fitted a pattern panel and the fit was so bad I decided to fit a good
S/H (salvaged) panel if I couldn't find a genuine there was no way I wanted
another pattern part. Chuffed to bits I ordered the panel from Rimmers and
it duly arrived very quickly (which is about there best point) I unwrapped
it to have the disappointment of a pattern panel. Perhaps they figured
without the fact that I had 2 years previously fitted a genuine panel and
knew what one should look like. Since then I have preferred to hear their
name pronounced with a strong American accent, (Wisconsin Area?) which make
them sound like Reamers!

Graham.


----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff McNeal <jmcneal@ohms.com>
To: Spitfire List <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Cc: Triumph List <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2000 11:55 PM
Subject: Revisionist parts from Rimmers?


>
> Hi all, I just received my first order from "across the pond" today.  I
> ordered a replacement turn signal lens for my dash (perfect), a moulded
> carpet set (looks great) and a replacement walnut facia panel for my
> instrument cluster.  The latter item was sort of an impluse buy for me...
> As some of you may recall, I had sent my original dash out for
professional
> restoral, opting to go with a tiger maple veneer in a similar light stain
> finish.  I wanted to hedge my bets since I'm torn between custom wood and
> originality and noted that the dashes depicted in the Rimmer Bros. catalog
> looked exactly the way the originals did.  Imagine my surprise to open the
> dash package today to find a dark brown, American Walnut facia panel!  Has
> anyone else ordered this part for their early Spitfire from Rimmer Bros.
> before?   The finish is more of a dark cocoa brown rather than honey.
>
> I've written my export sales rep to express my disappointment.  Insofar as
I
> know, they only offer one finish and I was expecting it to be just as they
> illustrated it -- just as my original would have looked when new.  Am I
> unreasonable to expect a part that more closely resembles what the catalog
> has illustrated?  Better yet, am I reasonable to expect a part in keeping
> with the "British Motor Heritage Approved" seal that Rimmer Bros. so
proudly
> displays on their invoice? Would BMH approve a completely different wood
and
> stain than was originally sold with the car?
>
> Thanks in advance for the replies.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jeff in San Diego
> '67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
> www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
>
>


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