G8 Front End

[heavyduty1340]

Does anyone out there know if we can buy the G8 front ends to retro fit ??

I was at a Holden Dealer today, and he reckons they were sent a memo in the last few days telling them that unless you crash an SSV Special Edition, no-one can buy them?? Bullshit or not:flipoff::flipoff:

I am buying the Missus a G8 (Red or Blue), and would also like a G8 front end for my black Sportwagon

I tried to talk her into a black G8, but she was onto me and knew Id flog her front end and replace it with my stone chipped stock one lmao:soap::soap:

[planetdavo]

I'd go easy on the flip offs heavy.
Holden have released a bulletin to dealers stating that due to low stock levels of some parts, there are restrictions in place to protect genuine owners in case of accidents, or new cars damaged in transit. This is their priority.
With the extended run of G8's locally early next year, they also need stock for these, which they currently don't have (which gives the conspiracy theorists that reckon we were "dumped" with ex Pontiac parts a pretty big back hander!).
We will be advised in due course when the special VOR style ordering method will be lifted, and parts become generally available to the public. Expect early next year.
Holden are also looking into releasing these parts as a "kit" next year. We (and many dealers) have been receiving significant requests for these.

[heavyduty1340]

Planetdavo

Hey mate, i wasnt trying to start a fight, but too many times nowdays we are fed total bullshit from some wanna be car salesmen

Just like when i wanted the GTO bonnet for my Monaro - Dealer said no way, we will never sell you one. Couple of phonecalls later and I was arranging freight to have one dropped of at the spray shop

Maybe I shouldnt have used the flip offs, but too late now the edit button is gone

If you here of them being released to the market, I would really appreciate it if you could let it be known on the forum so we can try to obtain one before joe public snap them all up, as I think they will be a popular addition

[WizeAbe]

Try JHP Vehicle Enhancements, they sell the conversion kit.


Cheers,
Abe

[planetdavo]

Try JHP Vehicle Enhancements, they sell the conversion kit.


Cheers,
Abe

Yep, at around $3500 fitted! :eyes:
The freight back from the US plus their (cough) low markup makes them a bit painful.

[planetdavo]

Planetdavo

Hey mate, i wasnt trying to start a fight, but too many times nowdays we are fed total bullshit from some wanna be car salesmen

No offence taken. :)
Re the Monaro bonnets, I suspect they weren't up to date with the previous bulletin restricting access having been eased, which lead to you sourcing one from another source.
Good staff make a business what it is (or isn't).

[heavyduty1340]

Thanks for that mate

Just checked it out

Planetdavo - I am still intersted when Holden released there stock

Also, how do JHP get these to release when I cant get them through a dealer ??

[planetdavo]

Thanks for that mate

Just checked it out, and not a bad price at all

Planetdavo - I am still intersted when Holden released there stock

Also, how do JHP get these to release when I cant get them through a dealer ??

They don't actually buy them from Holden.
I once also heard of a scam going around in the early expensive Chev grille days where the local company would pay the overseas dealer for the parts, then said ME/Sth Efrica dealer would order the parts from Holden, but have them as "local pickup". Pickup would, of course, be said local company that fits these parts! This would have saved massive freight, yet they still charged a fortune for the grilles and badges. Holden have massively clamped down on pickups now, so I understand they have to bring the G8 bits back from overseas, hence the price fitted.
To give people an idea of pricing, the G8 bonnet/vents etc will be around half the price of the Monaro bonnet kit, but you do of course need a different bar/grilles etc to go with it.

[simon.w]

D&T performance in Salisbury SA had the G8 bumper and bonnet fitted to one of their cars at a show recently as part of the SS mods they have on offer. They may be worth a try Heavyduty.

It makes sense that they would restrict the sale though ... you wouldn't be happy if you bought a limited edition and stacked it in a few years time and couldn't get parts because they'd all been sold to people to modify their regular front ends.

It's not just to protect their customers though ... they have to supply parts for minimum specific time by law. In my industry we guarantee it for 10 years from the time we stop manufacturing a product. ... but I can't remember if the law is 5 or 10 years. Davo may know if Holden have a standard position on this.

I've heard you can't buy HSV parts unless you can prove you own a car. Have never had it confirmed, but once again it makes sense.

[CLUBRED]

Could always find someone in the States wanting to do a Holden front end swap...

[BigFella]

these G8 kits will be all the rage then every man and his dog will have them and they wont have that cool look anymore...

just like the monaro front ends and bonnets on normal commo sedans...

[simon.w]

Could always find someone in the States wanting to do a Holden front end swap...

What a great idea!!! :goodjob: for thinking outside the square Clubred!!! Try posting it here Heavy http://www.forum.grrrr8.net/ or http://www.g8board.com (http://www.g8board.com/)

Freight cost and damage or the one you swap with not being as good a condition as yours is a risk.

This thread talks about a wrecker in the US that has one too: http://www.g8board.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26406

[planetdavo]

It's not just to protect their customers though ... they have to supply parts for minimum specific time by law. In my industry we guarantee it for 10 years from the time we stop manufacturing a product. ... but I can't remember if the law is 5 or 10 years. Davo may know if Holden have a standard position on this.

I've heard you can't buy HSV parts unless you can prove you own a car. Have never had it confirmed, but once again it makes sense.

The old story of minimum life of parts is gone.
With so many companies going bust around the world now, it's become near impossible for manufacturers to guarantee supply for 10 plus years. Many parts are already going or gone for VT-VY.
HSV earlier this year sent all dealers a bulletin telling them that too much internet selling of genuine HSV parts was going on, and the practice will be clamped down on, with loss of franchise a distinct possibility for offenders. Most have pulled their heads in, as the parts managers were only thinking of their profit, not the cost of p!ssed off genuine HSV owners getting passed by dudes in V6 "HSV" sh!tters.

[renmike]

It's cool to see you all digging the G8 front, as the Holden conversion has been a popular (albeit rare) thing here in the States. I bought my G8 used in August with a couple of knicks in the bumper, with the dealer telling me that it had been waiting since May for a bumper to arrive from Australia. I finally got the bumper at the end of October. I think most of my trouble was the bankruptcy of GM put a few things on hold, but we've had occasional issues getting parts, which I understand was the case when the GTO first came out back in 2004. I ended up ordering a couple of Holden flip keys because it was taking the pontiac one so long to come in, haha.

As for the Commodore conversion, if it weren't for the shipping price(s) (and the fact that I had to wait so long for this bumper) I'd consider it myself, as I prefer the style of the bumper and grille to the Pontiac, which reminds me too much of a Grand Prix.

[simon.w]

The old story of minimum life of parts is gone.
With so many companies going bust around the world now, it's become near impossible for manufacturers to guarantee supply for 10 plus years. Many parts are already going or gone for VT-VY.


Not to mention the fact that most companies are under so much pressure these days to reduce inventory as it costs money to have stock sitting around.

It's also far more difficult to forecast demand in a smaller markets where you can't justify keeping large numbers of "safety stock" just in case.

The other luxury of big markets like the US is that if the demand is there, they can justify reproducing parts because of the volume.

Spoke to a mate this morning who has just bought a 68 camaro. He can get brand new reproduction trim that includes seats, door trims, hood lining, crash pad, boot lining, carpet etc ... all for around $3k. Try doing THAT with an HK Monaro!!



HSV earlier this year sent all dealers a bulletin telling them that too much internet selling of genuine HSV parts was going on, and the practice will be clamped down on, with loss of franchise a distinct possibility for offenders. Most have pulled their heads in, as the parts managers were only thinking of their profit, not the cost of p!ssed off genuine HSV owners getting passed by dudes in V6 "HSV" sh!tters.

Ahhhhh ... nothing like those wonderful VT executives you see in dodgy car yards with bling wheels, clubsport bumpers and side skirts and stick-on decals that say "Custom", "Special" or "Sport". I guess the upside is that if there is enough demand for genuine bumpers and a black market trade starts up ... these will be the first things that get stolen out of driveways in dodgy suburbs.:)