Well, I knew publishing a book on Tiger identification was too good to
be true. The pressure to suppress is too great from the self-appointed
true keepers of the flame.
'1-Only a select few "experts" in the country are worthy enough of identifying a
true Tiger and unless this group places its sticker on your chassis, you have no
assurance of what you own or are looking to purchase.'
Did someone actually say this to you? If they did, then the "a" word
applies here, the one spelled a********. Let the owner/buyer decide for
themselves based on information that will make them reasonably
certain. No one asked for a guarantee or assurance of authenticity. To
quote Sergeant Joe Friday, 'Just the facts, Ma'am. Just the facts.'
'This group looks at a parts and design and fabrication manual as sacrilege
since the manual merely allows anyone to "build" a Tiger out of an Alpine.'
Helloooo, anybody home? Earth to Mars, Calling Earth to Mars! According
to some, bogus Tigers are built by the dozens without a "how to manual".
In fact, some are so good that long time owners and "experts" are fooled.
Lets look at this issue from another angle, what if there are no "secrets"
to building a Tiger? Could it be the TACophiles are fooling us with
stories
of Tiger construction methods only a chosen few can understand? Makes you
think, doesn't it?
'The other school of thought is that since it is virtually impossible in most
parts of the country (world) to get someone to authenticate their Tiger, any
help in the identification process is a plus.'
This is the crux of the matter. Out here in the boonies, Tigers are for
sale and, I suppose, some phony ones along with the authentic. If there was a
guidebook, at least the phony Tigers out here will be built to a better
standard. You wouldn't have a slickmeister showing a rube an Alpine with a
generic V8 shoehorned in saying, 'Son, this is the way the late, great, Ken
Miles built them 30 odd years ago. Yep, they sure steered funny with the engine
so far forward. But, what the hell, Mr. Shelby was involved and he wanted
them to scoot! When you press the loud pedal, boy, hold on to your hat!'
'And we firmly believe that the few guys out there who already know how to
build perfect conversions certainly would have no use for any manual we
could publish.'
Amen, brother! Truer words were never spoken!
'It is high time that the only existing certification group in the
country
takes a more pro-active position and provides some methods to help out
those with questions about their car' authenticity.'
You forget, bow down, face to the West and repeat three times,
"We're not worthy!" This sounds good, but the chance of it happening is
slim to none.
Jeff
P.S. I can hear them now, 'All he has is uninformed opinions!'
_______________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Tiger identification manual
Author: tiger technologies <tartanad@ix21.ix.netcom.com> at INTERNET
Date: 1/15/98 10:10 AM
To All:
Judging from all the communication--pro and con--regarding Tiger
Technologies' decision to produce a manual on how to identify a "real Tiger"
it is apparent there are two schools of thought: 1-Only a select few
"experts" in the country are worthy enough of identifying a true Tiger and
unless this group places its sticker on your chassis, you have no assurance
of what you own or are looking to purchase. This group looks at a parts and
design and fabrication manual as sacrilege since the manual merely allows
anyone to "build" a Tiger out of an Alpine.
The other school of thought is that since it is virtually impossible in most
parts of the country (world) to get someone to authenticate their Tiger, any
help in the identification process is a plus.
Our position is that since Tigers are now going up in value, it is more
important than ever that potential buyers have a manner to prevent them from
being stung by spending $30,000 on a car really worth $10,000. And we firmly
believe that the few guys out there who already know how to build perfect
conversions certainly would have no use for any manual we could publish.
So the bottom line is: how can prospective buyers and current owners be
helped in identifying their vehicles as actual Tigers...
It is high time that the only existing certification group in the country
takes a more pro-active position and provides some methods to help out those
with questions about their car' authenticity. Maybe it's an 800 number. Or a
website hotline. Or something else...like a trouble spot identification
manual available to the general Tiger public.But something must be done...NOW!
And perhaps those on the other side who just want some way of verifying what
they're driving have some suggestions as well.
Jan and I are open to a middle ground solution. But a solution must be
found. Therefore, we are going to hold off on any action until March 1st
before proceeding. In the meantime, fax us, call us, E-mail, write
us...hell, send up smoke signals if you wish, giving us alternatives.
We await your reaction and comments.
Jeff/TT
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