American Speed Specialities-Jim Blackburn

Eljaro · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 04:10 PM

My Contemporary Cobra was built by Jim Blackburn of American Speed Specialities in Norwood,London.
The last thing I know is that he died in March last year.
He never delivered a complete AMP front suspension for my Cobra which I had paid for in advance. His wife Kate told me to give her time to get things sorted out and to be patient.
No news ever since. Does anybody know what happened to Jim's widow and his son. Have they set up shop somewhere else ?
I have heard that there are some of his former customers who lost complete cars and engines during the disappearance of American Speed.
Does anybody out there know any thing about this affair ?
I thing the money I paid ($2500) is lost for good, so it is just curiosity.
Any comment welcome.
Steven
Mallorca,Spain

cob289 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 04:19 PM

Hi Steven,
I know Jim very well, but I lost also 1500$ in his grave. We, Gerry Hawkridge and I helped some other customers building up their cars. Some paid for a complete Cobra, and had only body and frame rescued, when they shut the doors. If you need parts for your car here in Europe, please contact me. I had a shippment two weeks ago with spares to Malorca for a Contemporary. Was it your car ??

Eljaro · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2003, 05:20 PM

No Fritz,
the parts were not for me . I have been getting my parts in the US from Summit.
I just had the engine rebuilt myself after 2 rebuilts by Jim which never worked.
The engine never had decent oil pressure, and just 3 days ago I found out why ( see my thread OIL PRESSURE LOW IN 427 C/O in FE talk).
I would much like to know who else is driving a Cobra here in Mallorca.
Can you provide some names and phones ?
And by the way, I have a 3.54 ratio non slip differential, which is rather short. Do you have anything like 3.21 or 3.01 ratio available? Which ratios are mostly beeing used in Germany?
Stefan Pietzsch

BROOKLANDSSPEED · #4 (**permalink**) 12-22-2004, 12:46 AM

we produced some aliuminum FIA 289 body front and rear clips , etc , and never got the final payment and never saw or heard from him again ,its sad news but we only went there half a dozen times and the workshop was stoked with unfinished projects . we did repair an AUTOKRAFT mkv for the insurance,and were settled for that , he always seemed to be in contact with the US ,so by reading this old thread im surprised it came to nothing . RIP JIM ITS BETTER TO BURN OUT THAN FADE AWAY .

Trevor Legate · #5 (**permalink**) 12-22-2004, 06:05 AM

Hello to all the Brooklands Bashers!!!!!!!!!!!

Stop reading this forum and get back to work. I have to agree 'tis better to 'burn out' but the guy made sure that a load of innocent victims saw their money Fade Away with him. Not so good.

I offer the above comment on behalf of Gerry Hawkridge who had to spend his time and money sorting out the mess. If Gerry left his thoughts here, it would contain to many **** and ****** words to make any sense.

Anyhow, see you in the pub??? It must me my round this time. And I owe you a CD of the last shot.....and I'll try to get a Superformance Coop along if t'aint snowing and I might persuade Gerry to bring something suitable. Cheers.

Coogan · #6 (**permalink**) 02-17-2012, 05:21 PM

Nice!!