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 General Motors is reproducing of original dealership signs
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chadhaas Active Member Posts: 194 |
posted 12-21-2005 11:13 PM
  
Has everyone seen the new reproduction neon signs that General Motors is reproducing? The first series include original dealership signs. They are available for sale at the GM Heritage Museum in Michigan and through the GM Photo site. At this moment, they are not being sold through dealers. The pricing ranges from $2999 to $3999 for these five foot long signs, which GM claims are exact reproduction of original dealership signs, except that they have been reduced in scale to accomodate putting them in your home. Most of us can't put a 14' sign in our homes anyway so it make sense to me. I'm interested in hearing what everyone thinks about this idea? Other than dealer signs, what neon sign would be willing to pay $3999 to have in your home? For me, it would be the Polly Gas Parrot sign (I've been told the original is worth $20K) and the Gilmore Lion. Both of these signs are extremely rare and without a repo, I'd never have the opportunity to own one. Chime in everyone and list the neon sign that you would like to see reproduced. Here is the press release from General Motors: "GM Heritage Collection Dealer Signs These collections of reduced scale, exact reproduction of GM dealership signs showcase GM's rich brand history and carry on the tradition of their early illuminated sign legacy. This is the first time GM has chosen to reproduce any of it's original sign age for automotive enthusiasts. These limited edition signs are hand built by skilled craftsmen utilizing only the highest grade commercial materials and components available. Each custom built sign comes with a personal, serial numbered engraved brass tag attached to the sign. This reproduction of an original Pontiac dealer neon sign has been scaled to more comfortably fit into a contemporary interior space. The sign measure approximately 5 ft. in length and is individually manufactured and assembled with the identical panel construction and fastener placement as the original. All panels are constructed with "3003 mill finish" aluminum for strength and durability. Two part catalyst paint has been utilized throughout to produce a porcelain-like finish. All neon tubing is U.S. commercial grade material. The transformer that powers the signs is equipped with a secondary ground-fault cutoff as required by the National Electric Code. To maximize safety, all neon-wiring connections are made inside the sign. Access to the sign's interior is through a single removable plate located on the back panel. Proper warning labels are prominently display on the panel. The sign meets all UL requirements." [This message has been edited by chadhaas (edited 12-21-2005).] IP: Logged |
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T-way Active Member Posts: 1958 |
posted 12-22-2005 07:31 AM
Chad: Thanks for the information. I have actually viewed these signs at the GM Hertiage Center. As for the claim by GM that they are Exact Reproductions of original GM signage - well, if it's not the same size and it's not made with the same materials - it isn't an "Exact Reproduction". Is it? These are being produced by an individual, not GM. The Heritage Center is simply re-selling these for funding. Over the years, they have had numerous people inquire about getting "Division" signs for their private collections and the Heritage Center thought this was a good way to make some cash to support the Museum's vehicle/memorabilia collection. The signs are painted - not procelain and the color breaks are done using a vinyl 'paint mask' product. The mask is left on for too long before removal so the edges are quite sharp and rough - not smooth and shelved like an original. They're not even clear-coated to knock down some of the edge. The neon is top-notch though. All brand new components are used so you don't have to worry about that. I suppose you could remove the neon and shoot a couple of coats of clear on the sign to make it a little more presentable - but you could have one made for less than what they want for one of these. Later . . . Jim ------------------ [This message has been edited by T-way (edited 12-23-2005).] IP: Logged |
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Seth Robbins Active Member Posts: 1470 |
posted 12-22-2005 07:47 AM
I know the guy that is doing these signs for GM. He is actually a member on this forum, but I'll let him identify himself if he chooses. He is as savvy a businessman as you'll find. I've seen them up close and personal also and I think they are really sweet. I mean, anything can be improved upon and you can always go one step further, but then again, I guess they could be full-size and porcelain and be twice as expensive. And you could have one made for less than the asking price, but then again, who sells anything for cost and stays in business to tell about it? The one thing I do know, is that currently there are 4 different versions being made (Pontiac, Olds, Buick, Chevy) and they are $3999 for each sign. As of about a week ago, he had sold 25 sets of 4, which my calculator tells me is $400,000 in sales in a very short time, so apparently there is a market that exists for high-end reproduction neon signs. I agree with Chad, that going forward, there are some neon signs that are unattainable either because of price or availability that I would for sure like to own as reproduction. As an example, I sell about 30-50 36" neon pegasus signs each year for $675. This is obviously a scaled-down fantasy-piece, but a neoned cookie-cutter runs about $8000 and a neon rotator runs about $20,000. There are plenty of people who want the 'look' that won't/can't spend the mortgage to get it. [This message has been edited by Seth Robbins (edited 12-22-2005).] IP: Logged |
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roger cherry Active Member Posts: 593 |
posted 12-22-2005 09:25 AM
I agree with Seth. There is a need for these signs and obviously people want them. Not everyone can afford to step up and pay the big bucks for originals so the need is there. Also, some people have nice gamerooms or garages and don't want signs with "chips" and the like in them. That also eliminates most of the originals. As long as the stuff is marked, I feel it gets more people interested in the hobby which is what is needed. IP: Logged |
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jrwienri Active Member Posts: 136 |
posted 12-22-2005 10:08 AM
There was a photo of a Rancho neon on this site a couple of months ago. Can anyone point me to it. I can't seem to find it. Thanks, Jeff IP: Logged |
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Wes Maxwell Active Member Posts: 492 |
posted 12-22-2005 10:20 AM
Nice sign. As the numbers show, there must be a demand for them. There is normally at least one set up at the gas shows selling repo neon signs. They do look good but as a starting collector on a budget I will stick to original signs for now. That means no neon for me for a while. IP: Logged |
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gatorgaspumps Active Member Posts: 992 |
posted 12-22-2005 10:27 AM
If they are selling there is a need, even for a high dollor item. I think what we need to consider in this case is the car guys that are buying things and will remain car guys and not swith over to petro like the most of us have. They will buy certain items and keep the price high on those certain items, so if a person repops a sign that will fit into that catagory he has got it made. just my two cents. Richard IP: Logged |
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the poor mans museum Active Member Posts: 1650 |
posted 12-22-2005 10:29 AM
Jeff We're getting off track here, but here is the Rancho sign that I posted. The neon is gone, but it definitely was a neon sign. Curt IP: Logged |
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jrwienri Active Member Posts: 136 |
posted 12-22-2005 04:21 PM
Seth, If your getting $700 for a 36" sign and both you and the supplier are making money, why are these so much more??? Is it because it's GM? Wouldn't $1500 be reasonable for these signs???? Oh, and thanks Curt for re-posting the Rancho Sign!!! Jeff IP: Logged |
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Seth Robbins Active Member Posts: 1470 |
posted 12-22-2005 08:07 PM
Jeff...bear in mind that there is probably 5 times as much material in these signs as there are in mine. Also bear in mind, I make 50 at a time, these are being done one at a time as orders come in. There is also a MUCH higher royalty due on the GM signs. Also, as a mail-order business, my profit margins rarely exceed a GROSS of 50%. There are people on the coasts that buy my pegasus and resell them at probably a greater profit than mine. I'm guessing these signs are probably costing somewhere in the $2500 range to produce. I bet the transformers alone run $250+. IP: Logged |
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T-way Active Member Posts: 1958 |
posted 12-23-2005 08:54 AM
Seth: I think you are pretty close with your estimate. I own one of the full-sized Pontiac signs just like the one pictured (except mine faces Left). It's a bit larger than the one(s) shown in the new Amastidi book. Probably about 9' wide by 4.5' tall. I had a brand new 'can' made for it about 10 years back for $450.00 (painted, with the face installed and all necessary mounting brackets for hanging). And I just got a quote a couple of months ago for all the necessary neon components to redo the entire sign. That's new insulators, wiring, transformer, stand-offs, custom bent neon tubing - the works. Total for all the neon - $700.00 out-the-door. That was with me doing the installation on my sign. Remember, that's probably about twice the neon tubing you would need to do one of these repros. I'm sure I could produce/procure all the pieces for a half-scale version of mine for less than $1,500.00 (as you said, Jeff). Then you add in labor for assembly, royalties to General Motors and a 'comfortable' profit margin - and 3 to 4 Thousand for the finished sign isn't out of line. And for the person that doesn't have the necessary wall space for a 9' sign - these will give you the look you want, without busting your wallet (well, not too bad at least Later . . . Jim ------------------ IP: Logged |
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chadhaas Active Member Posts: 194 |
posted 12-23-2005 09:31 AM
As for the costing between painted signs and porcelain enamel, the costs to enamel a sign is staggering and therefore is the reason why this industry is no longer viable. I'm sure there are many enthusiasts within this forum who have looked into the costs to reproduce porcelain enamel and can verify just how costly this process can be. Why does it cost so much? OSHA and EPA regulations governing how this industry operates, which is also very labor and raw material intensive. [This message has been edited by chadhaas (edited 02-06-2008).] IP: Logged |
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chadhaas Active Member Posts: 194 |
posted 12-23-2005 08:49 PM
Other than the dealer signs described within this post, I am interested to hear what signs readers of this forum would like to see reproduced? What are the TOP FIVE neon signs that you would like to see reproduced? Here is the Top Five that I would like to see reproduced: (1) Polly Gas Parrot What are your favorites? Chad Haas IP: Logged |
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