Latest on Lubinski?

[AC Cobra]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

Not suggesting that any kind of joint deal is struck - the operation in Malta is run under the title of AC Motor Holdings (or similar) so that's a whole other business. But the sale of a company title - AC Cars Ltd - is a different matter. Wonder what that piece of paper might be worth to a third party with a reason to buy it. Everything has a price (even me). But I'm only thinking out loud - I doubt it could ever happen. Maybe in a parallel universe somewhere?

Do you think AL and CS read these threads. If so, they could start negotiations Monday morning and have this wrapped up by Friday.

[Trevor Legate]

I'll expect a commission... :-)

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by AC Cobra

Do you think AL and CS read these threads. If so, they could start negotiations Monday morning and have this wrapped up by Friday.

Where would you find a room large enough to hold both of the egos?

Neither of them trust the other (a good thing) and neither really has a position of strength to negotiate from (think about it). I don't see it happening......of course if one of them was to "pass on" then the situation would be different (CS from natural causes, AL from "causes unknown") and the executors would see a benefit.

Besides, the deal must be approved by the Intergalatic Cobra Czar, although he is following this thread!

[Trevor Legate]

Damn right.....

[fastraxsg]

Hmm, how about this one, we all empty our piggy banks and work out a trust of some sort with BM as our CEO and we buy out AL and go to town manufacturing our own.... who do you know that could do a better job than all of us together.....the sum of us is better than one of us...plus we are never negative or ever have any "misunderstanding"...

[powerslide]

Let's see...
AL+CS+AC=BS
Would it be easier to move the equipment from Malta to Wales or to Indonesia? What say the tax man?

[patrickt]

If I was going to make anything in Malta it would be milk balls....

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

Damn right.....

X2........

[saltytri]

Trevor, save the airfare.

I was in Malta about ten days ago. Armed with the address given on Luby’s web site, I resolutely set out for the Hal Far Industrial Estate to find the hallowed AC factory from which I would certainly be able to purchase a real, first-quality AC Cobra to replace my embarrassingly inadequate fake.

It turns out that the building number that appears on the web site falls between the numbers of two adjacent buildings that house going concerns. It is possible that I was looking in the wrong place but I don’t think so, as there were other buildings up and down the street that were numbered in appropriate sequence. I also searched nearby for any building with the correct number and/or signage that would indicate that it was or had been in use by AC Cars Limited. No luck.

Anticipating language difficulties, I went armed with a printout of the company name (“AC Cars Limited”) and address. The locals speak Maltese, naturally, but most all speak English to some degree, varying from just a bit to admirable fluency – I wanted to have something in writing to bridge any language gap. Almost everyone in the neighborhood to whom I inquired and showed this information drew a complete blank. The sole exception was a body shop worker who said, in broken English, “Shelby Cobra – out of business.” This was without my having mentioned the words “Shelby” or “Cobra.” I can’t say whether he was able to make the leap from “AC Cars Limited” to “Shelby Cobra” because he was a car guy (the Maltese are absolutely nuts about anything that rolls on four wheels but that is a story for another time), because he had once seen an AC shop in the area, or because he reads the Maltese press and knew of the poor outcome of Luby’s flirtation with Malta. In any event, he was unable to point me toward any site or former site of an AC factory, shop, or office.

I can’t say for sure that there was never a productive AC facility in Hal Far but, if there was, it doesn’t seem to have made much of an impression on the neighbors.

I’ll be rattling around France for a while and my internet connection is dicey so I won’t try to post my photos of the area. If there’s interest, I’ll be glad to do so when I get home.

Au revoir!

[nikbj68]

Originally Posted by powerslide

Let's see...
AL+CS+AC=BS
Would it be easier to move the equipment from Malta to Wales or to Indonesia? What say the tax man?

Dunno about the Taxman, but I don`t want it! A suitable vacant facility I (may have) mentioned some while ago is in the latter stages of being razed to make room for a supermarket!

[What'saCobra?]

Consider it an upgrade and far more practical.

[Trevor Legate]

Dear Saltytri

It seems your trip was in vain - latest update says that the company based in Malta, trading as AC Cars Manufacturing Ltd, became insolvent as of December 2007. The factory is now closed and it appears (from your report) that the signs have been removed from the building.

Also, the even better news is that the gentleman in question, Mr. Lubinski, has 1) not fled Malta since he was never there in the first place and 2) appears to have nothing to do with said business. Any reports (as splashed across the news pages if the newspapers in Malta) that he fled owing the local government any money are false malicious lies since he did not own the company - the shareholders did!! Hence the threat of legal action against said papers in order to clear is otherwise unblemished name and to allow him to continue in business untainted by this unfortunate incident. Quite right. :-)

It also appears that the reason for the failings of this otherwise excellent company was due to the Malta Enterprise board that did provide a building but failed to fit it out with the equipment required to start production - so it's clearly all their fault and AC will take legal steps to recover losses accordingly. (no, I'm not making this up)

Oh, and the reason for AC not opening its new factory in Conn. USA was that only preliminary talks were held with no decision or promise to start production begin made. Initial tentative enquiries proved that it was never viable. That's OK then.

I got this info from a long rambling report issued on behalf of AC in poor grammatical 'English' so I stand corrected if my comments are not 100% accurate. I'm sure that 'London' will drop by and correct me where required?

So it seems that, at the current time, AC is no longer with us (anyone got some garlic and a wooden stake?) but I'm sure that something will happen in due course. Anyone who has read Alice in Wonderland will understand....

[What'saCobra?]

Nice; then there are really no problems, then. Good to hear.

Meanwhile, this report has not yet been posted on the internet, at least not very obviously. Perhaps it has been published under "Not Smart Cars"?

[Mark IV]

Trevor,

Do you mean to imply that Mr. Lubinsky does NOT have a sterling reputation? Methinks you exagerate..................

Rick

(Charter member of the "boned by Luby" club)

[nikbj68]

Originally Posted by What'saCobra?

Nice; then there are really no problems, then. Good to hear.

Meanwhile, this report has not yet been posted on the internet, at least not very obviously. Perhaps it has been published under "Not Smart Cars"?

"AC Cars responds maltastar.com report",Thu, 03 April 2008.

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Trevor,

Do you mean to imply that Mr. Lubinsky does NOT have a sterling reputation? Methinks you exagerate..................

Rick

(Charter member of the "boned by Luby" club)

Sir, Having read your comment above, I am oblijigated to point out that my client, Mr.Legate has made no such allegations, deflamatorary commentations or indeed any reference to the gentleman named in your post, and refered to "Lubinski" a juridical person which is altogether separate and distinct from the aboved named person personally. Please fully retract your undercarriage with equal prominence to your initial post.
No further issues will be warned.,

[Trevor Legate]

Well said Dr.Bagshaw, I heartily concur with your erudite assessment of the situation. The Gentleman in question enjoys a solid-gold, copper-bottomed reputation which is, in my vast experience, second to none. And I mean that most sincerely :-)

(and your grasp of Maltese is coming on apace Nik....keep up the good work!)

[fastraxsg]

Ah Indonesia.....After the Asian Economic Crisis in the late 90's, there many factory stuctures left vacant and still available. Unemployment is very high and the cost of labor is very cheap (compared to US and UK rates) and the gov't is very favorable to new investment, given the right amount of coffee money and incentives to the right members of said higher authority. Shipping out is much easier than shipping in, less coffee money and the local automotive industry can copy pretty much anything(well close) without too much hassle. See my gallery for sorta cobra pictures. All that is needed is more coffee money...besides, this is "Visit Indonesia" year. What a great place to set up AC Cars Manufacturing Ltd without paying any royalities....balmy breezes every day, no snow and nothing but good times, and the right amount of coffee money.

[Trevor Legate]

I'm on me way. Reserve me some factory space. I have a toolbox and endless enthusiasm supported by the fact that i should be able to knock out something more roadworthy than the last effort, which shall remain nameless to protect my kneecaps. I shall build these new repleekas as AC (Awful Crap) as opposed to Auto-Carriers.

[Wayne Maybury]

Originally Posted by Trevor Legate

I'm on me way. Reserve me some factory space. I have a toolbox and endless enthusiasm supported by the fact that i should be able to knock out something more roadworthy than the last effort, which shall remain nameless to protect my kneecaps. I shall build these new repleekas as AC (Awful Crap) as opposed to Auto-Carriers.

Are you not going to ask for government assistance or handouts before embarking on this enterprise?

Wayne

[AC Cobra]

Originally Posted by Wayne Maybury

Are you not going to ask for government assistance or handouts before embarking on this enterprise?

Wayne

I represent Mr. Trevor Legate in all financial matters related to the newest venture in Indonesia to resurrect the AC car manufacturing facility and produce exceptional quality automobiles. Please send all checks and money orders to Club Cobra: Attention "AC".