HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC
Tech Tips: Parts Suppliers
Customer Experiences (part 3)
HILLMAN CAR CLUB
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC

From: pdbragg(at)charm.net
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 3:31 AM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [HillmanCars] Scott's Revised Web site (Rubbers) and Kip's Repros

ALL:

Don't know if anyone has noticed this, but Scott's Old Auto Rubbers in Australia has improved their web site and included a Hillman specific page listing all that they have available, cost, and how to order info.

I think there has been a lot of discussions on this list about how to obtain rubber bits for the Minx and Husky, and it seems to me that while Scotts is far away, they are offering the bits at very reasonable prices that well offset the luxury tax being asked by Kips for similar goods.

Kips is now repro-ing the Series III Special and Husky floor shift boot for a whopping $98 (US $)!!!!

Scotts, on the other hand, has the same repro boot for about $21.  No brainer, if you ask me.......

Link to Scott's Hillman page is:

http://www.scottsoldautorubber.com.au/Hillman 1956-67 Minx Series 1-6.htm

Doug Bragg
Baltimore


From: Lyle, Douglas [douglas.lyle(at)savvis.net]
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 3:13 PM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [HillmanCars] Scott's Revised Web site (Rubbers) and Kip's Repros

I've bought from Scott's several times.  Even with overnight shipping it is still cheaper that Kip's....and the rubber works.  The crap I got from Kip won't work.

Doug Lyle


From: Russ Eshelman [RussE(at)Firstva.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 11:20 PM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [HillmanCars] Scott's Revised Web site (Rubbers) and Kip's Repros

I'll second that!!

Russ


From: Dugg ORielly [homefree(at)cablelan.net]
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 6:27 AM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [HillmanCars] Re: Scott's Revised Web site (Rubbers) and Kip's Repros

I think I will have to third that!

Then a prompt correction from Doug, although it doesn't invalidate the replies to his previous message :
 

From: pdbragg(at)charm.net
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 11:27 PM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [HillmanCars] Minx Gear Lever Shift Boot on Ebay

ALL:

Well, me seems to have made mistake.  Kip's repro is of the "rare" Series II, III Special and early Husky variant boot rubber, which as a trapezodal (??) base to fit into the tranny tunnel and also an opening for the tranny dipstick/refill.  This one shown on the eBay site is for the more common later rear mounted shifter, sans dipstick hole.  I think "universal" boots found Stateside usually fulfill the same purpose for the later cars, whereas the Special version is kind of unique.

DougB


Many months later in another thread, Doug and Russ give detailed reasons for their dissatisfaction :
 

From: Lyle, Douglas [douglas.lyle(at)savvis.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:06 AM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [HillmanCars] Qtr-Wing-Flipper Rubber

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it but Kip does sell this rubber for the vent window.  It appears to have been made from a sample that had shrunk so it is small but can be made to work.  The biggest problem I had installing it was that it was about ¼ inch too small on the bottom.  This means that air and water can get in there unless you do something about it.  I choose to put some vacuum rubber in there and it worked out ok.  All in all it turned out better than the old rubber that came out.  I paid $155 us for this stuff so I would have thought it could have been much better.  Can I complain????  Sure, but not too much since I had no other options.  I would have really been in a bind if they didn't have it.

Doug

1960 345 HP Husky


From: Russ Eshelman [RussE(at)Firstva.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 18, 2006 12:56 AM
To: HillmanCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [HillmanCars] Qtr-Wing-Flipper Rubber

This is exactly why I stay away from KIP and would not recommend them to anyone.  Their series I Husky rear window seal is not "as original" as they claim, I had to replace the glass in order to use the seal.  And their series I Husky headliner was about a foot too long overall.  It would have cost me more to make it fit correctly than to buy a new one that did fit.  Burnt twice by KIP but not again!
Russ
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