MadaboutKitcars

Hi Chris, me ole mate…. I’m worried for you too!

Have you been holding your breath for extended periods, because it seems to me that you’re looking a bit…..

…. Purple!!!!!

Den

Hi Mark and Ferg,
You’re right, but even the latest anorexic Which Twit Car? has 6 advertisements for AhhhVD. Claims such as “advanced engineering”, “finely engineered”, “delightfully easy to drive”, “light, responsive, user-friendly” and “hugely strong” are still common currency. The clear impression given is of a well-sorted product from an established, reputable (even clever???) manufacturer.

As a result of such misleading claims; a number of people have purchased Pythons and are presumably continuing to do so - otherwise why are they continuing with the advertisements?

I’d like to know how these customers shall overcome the ‘bite-less’ steering and ‘wince-inducing crashes’ that are evident even at ‘leisurely-lope’ speeds? What about the guy who posted (on another forum) to the effect that he’d purchased his Python mainly because he was lofty? How’s he going to fit into his pride and joy?

Other concerns about the front suspension design; which are even more worrying if the suspension really does ‘bottom’, plus the commercial problems in Sri Lanka all add to the bad smell. I’ve no doubt that this product is rotten in that it’ll never be possible, in the light of what’s already known, to believe anything its manufacturer says about it.

I’ll therefore not be brushing this ‘episode’ under the carpet just yet. As I said in my magazine; a course of antibiotics needs to be taken to the very end. Behind the scenes murmurings indicate that the medicine is in fact working.

Den.

Den,
I have never wavered from my opinion that to advertise a car giving the impression that various facets of it's appeal have been proved by road-test, whilst at the time of printing those claims the car doesn't exist is unbelievable as well as unacceptable. However, I sometimes worry that people who haven't been aware from the outset and may be coming into the story since the car has actually existed may misunderstand your angle on this............

Hi Ferg,
OK, I need your help (and/or that of every/anybody on this forum ).

I’ve been banging my head against this phantom Python, on and off, for 29 magazine editions. Ferg reckons I was right , initially, to point out that it was being advertised in terms that suggested that it was tried and tested at a time when it didn’t even exist.

It does now exist ; but still hasn’t been tried and tested (or more accurately, it has been tested and found to be ‘wanting’ and is in need of modification – admitted by the manufacturer ) yet it’s still being advertised in terms that very much suggest that it has no problems .

I think the present advertised claims are still grossly misleading .

Please tell me why I’m ill-advised in continuing to expose what I see as this sharp practice . That is, after all, what my readers are paying me to do – isn’t it?

I do try to provide enough information, each time I mention the ‘problem’, so as to avoid newbies (to the argument) getting confused: so as to avoid the trap that you’ve mentioned.

Den

How about doing an article in Kit Car explaining the real reason for all of the swipes at the Python, explaining that as well as misleading people in the advertising claims, when an independant test was carried out . . . .

You could then invite readers to write in with any questions that they don't feel you have covered. This gives you a follow up article 2 months later.

As long as you keep to the facts and nothing else, I think most people would like to know the whole story.

But remember, I don't think John will want it all on this forum.

Agreed; and thanks for the pointer with regard my approach.

I’m going to do just that .

By the way, I’ve blagged (how’s that supposed to be spelt ?) the BMW Car article for running in the next issue. It would fit well where you placed your dot dot dot dot. It might make the cover of the next Cobra magazine too! (you know how Cobra is derived).

The pics are great and actually the article does say good things as well as bad !

Den.

And just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse . They did….

I’ve been dealing through a middle-man, who’s been passing messages to and from Vince.


I think him a prat for all too many reasons, but I wouldn’t have wished that on him.

Den

Hear, hear.

It gets even worse!

Are you going to enlighten us then Den?

Hi Kartman,

The message I was passing to Vince was that we weren’t getting anywhere and that there was no point in continuing discussions unless there was a change in his attitude.



In following e-mails I was given all the gory detail of how he was attacked by 4 ‘professionals’ with dogs - and the nature of his injuries (cracked skull , broken arm, ear ‘mashed’ with a lump of wood and dog bites from ‘attack dogs’).

It was put to me that I was partly responsible, in that I’d encouraged his Sri Lanlan adversery, and should therefore feel sorry for him and stop printing damaging reports about his crap products and his dodgy dealings with Filby . I was warned that the next attack might very well be fatal.

I have a contact in Sri Lanka who looked into the matter for me. Vince was found to be fit and well at his place of work.

What a way to attempt to gain endearment and sympathy ?

Den.

this thread . . . .

Hi Vojx,
I'm glad that you're finding this entertaining !

The BMW Car article is in the November issue , which shall be in the shops from Friday .

Den.

I look forward to reading a truly independent review.

Hmmmmmm......

hmmm I read that review. It was one of the kits I originally looked but decided was not the right one for me.

Must get a copy . . . .

Hi Mark,
I’ll be putting it on-line on my web-site in a day or two…. So you can hold on to your hard-earned!!!!

Den.

Will check it out soon then . . .

Hi Mark,
It's there now if you want to read it.

http://www.kit-cars.com/fff/filbyfactfile1.html

The link to the Python article is right at the bottom of the chronology; November 2005

Den

Den

Don't know if it is my firewall, but can't get the .pdf file to show up. 'Not authorised'

Hi Mark,
Have you got problems with all the links , or just that one? I ask because I know the other links have been downloaded by lots of people .

The Python article was only made available as a link yesterday so might be defective. Anyone else got problems ?

Den.

Works fine.

Hmm was going to sit down for a bit of reading there but I'm getting a problem with the pdf's as well.

Opened about the first 6 ok then it flakes out, maybe my version of Acrobat reader 5, will update it.

John

Madabout-Kitcars.com

Just red the article, Kitcarman.
Since all publicity is good publicity, a well known fact in the promotion industry, your doing a great job, promoting the RV Python, what´s your cut?
Once (and if) RV get their issues sorted with the front suspension and seat, you´ve already rolled out the red carpet for them

In my opinion the concept of using one single donor car is brilliant and I wish Vince the best of luck sorting the remaining issues out, I hope that he lets everyone know when he´s done, then even I might consider buying one.


A "filbyfactfile", I mean really, how mature is that????