Car Replicas: Piracy at its Best?
I just recently came across a cool story about replicas of limited edition classic cars being manufactured and sold all over the country. I was amazed at how at a fraction of its original cost; million dollar cars can now be bought by enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Car collecting is an expensive hobby, usually engaged in by millionaires. From ultimate classics to models well known for their tie up with famous figures, these vehicles are usually limited in number making them worth a lot of money. Aside from this, the task of keeping an old model at its best condition carries with it the added cost. It is not unusual for a collector to employ the use of a carefully guarded and climate controlled garage, just to keep their investment safe and in mint condition.
I guess the biggest drawback of buying a classic is that sometimes, collectors end up buying these cars but are not able to drive them. These cars also lack the modern conveniences that are afforded to drivers today. The best comparison would be buying expensive and nice looking artwork. They are pricey, costly to maintain, nice to look at. It all ends there, until now.
Currently, companies like Special Editon of Bremen Ind, TLC Carrossiers of Riviera Beach, Fla. and Speedster Motorcars have been making noise among collectors with their cool classic replicas. These newly manufactured cars still keep the designs of the classics but at relatively bargain prices. The cars are so much like the originals, that it would be hard even for the expert to tell the difference at a glance.
A restored 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, famous for being the car where James Dean was killed cost close to $1.5 million. Now one can own an exact replica for only $30,000. Remember the 1938 Talbot-Lago which made it to the 3.5 million dollar mark at the Christie’s 2005 Monterey Jet Center Auction in California? You can have one for only $150,000 complete with all the design collectors have been drooling about.
The price is just the start of what’s cool about these cars. Usually made of durable fiber glass, these replicas are built to last. Since they are all custom made, some of the manufacturers give their costumers an option to choose how they will dress up the car’s interior. Unlike the older models, these cars have the features of a modern car like power windows, power brakes, power steering and other modern auto parts that the buyer wants. The engines are also built for performance, making these cars not only awesome art pieces but functional machines as well.
Special Edition uses Volkswagen type engines for their models. The Talbo replica from TLC has a 3.9-liter Jaguar V8 engine with automatic transmission mounted on a custom built chassis which is pretty much the same as the one that Ford uses on their Lincoln series.
I honestly feel that it is a great idea for these manufacturers to bring the chance of owning a cool ride to a much wider audience. They have not only managed to curb the shocking prices of these vehicles but have actually worked on making these much wanted cars functional and more user friendly.
I can’t help but think of piracy, though, as I swoon on the cool products they have. I admit to being as dumb as walnut when it comes to copyright laws, but I don’t think what these guys are doing is anything different from the rip offs I see peddled to people everyday. I can imagine you cringing right now at that word. I know, because I cannot even think that word to refer to these guys. They had a cool idea and came up with really cool products.
There might be a big difference, one could argue. These people are selling replicas and not claiming to sell the authentic thing. And undoubtedly, they have a legitimate business. Still, when does a replica become a rip off? Or what if we start calling a fake iPhone or a fake Xbox 360 a replica? Fake and pirated products are usually substandard making them a bane to the consumers. But if by a weird chance someone comes up with a modded Wii with all the functions plus more? What if suddenly they are called as replicas?
I think there’d still be big trouble and we’ll see copyright infringement laws all over.
I just think things are becoming more grayed out as time goes by. And as I look at the replicas from Special Edition, I think a person who wants these cars would be dumb not to buy from them. As for modern devices, I don’t think they are not yet on the “one-can-make-a-replica” status. It would be a dream, though, if by some chance a replica Wii will come out that has Xbox capabilities and Blu ray. I for one will definitely not call them pirated nor rip-offs.
