I decided to call Bob Baker today to get an update on the availability of products from his previous supplier of reproductions of the plastic parts. It seems his previous supplier has focused his attention on higher volume customers who use his reproduction services and generate more revenue for him rather than the more time consuming/more difficult reproductions that Bob requires. As such Bob has still been working with this supplier since there are no other ones anywhere near his residence in Arizona so this is his only resource at present.
After further discussion with Bob, this supplier has agreed to still make some of his products and so Bob is focusing on the higher volume orders at present. As such, Bob has received some of the bucket seat backs in white and maybe black as well for the 1970/1971 models and now he is trying to work with the supplier to make some of the lower hinge covers that are usually ordered in tandem with the seat backs. Any customers wanting different colors have to rely on using the "Herbs Paints" spray cans that Bob supplies, to match other interior colors that Chrysler used back in those days. I can say after considerable experience using "Herbs" paints that those spray cans are virtually perfect matches for all of the factory interior colors that Chrysler used. I am honestly amazed they match so well to the original interior colors in all my models.
So at least there is some hope that products will be trickling in but the more low volume ones will require much more patience unless his supplier loosens up his restrictions in the future or Bob gets more orders for the lower volume ones piling up. I also let Bob know that I too would take a few more sets of C pillar covers as well so lets hope others will chime in with orders for those as well. Bottom line is that order volumes determine the focus of his efforts with his supplier's ability to produce more limited volumes than in the past.
Bob also told me that his dashpad reproductions are focused on the higher volume models at present but dashpads are still being made as needed. If you can provide the metal cores for your particular pads, then the reproduction pad would be more likely to schedule sooner rather than later. Due to restrictions in reproduction of the number of pads being made, Bob has to focus on the pads for higher volume models that include some General Motors products as well.
Bottom line is that we have to plan longer term for the cars we need his products for and place orders well in advance of needing them.
I currently have two of my cars in the restoration process simultaneously at present and have placed my orders a long time ago but I still have 3 more that I want to do if allowed by my maker. I am 75 now so a ways to go now......................having something to do in retirement helps keep me in shape mentally and physically though and I do still enjoy it.
