Gilbern front grill badge required

[terry.invader.est]

Hi all

I’m a new member since purchasing a mk2 Gilbern Invader Estate and wondering if anyone can help me locate a badge for the front grill.

I’m also hoping to find a pair of original front seats for it if possible. Any help you can give would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Terry

[R_D_Olivaw]

Hi Terry,

Try Brian Gent (Mr. Parts). He was selling silver ones last year and may still have some in stock.

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Terry, Yes BG has new chrome on brass front grill badges. There have been a pair of front seats on E Bay recently at around £150 if they do not need work they may be worth it! We have originals in used spares but none are really good enough to use as is but will provide a good basis to start from.
Gavin

[terry.invader.est]

Hi Gavin

Firstly I would like to thank you for your kind support in helping me try to find a grill badge for my Invader. My next thing was going to be that I would join the club but unfortunately I was very disappointed by the response from Brian Gent.

I contacted him as per your last PM by texting my request only to have this reply-

“Hi, are you a clua member ? If not i cannot help you. Membership is £34 pa. Regards brian - spares”

Then another text-

“Email me next week on briangent57@gmail.com brian-spares.”

If this is what the club is all about then I am not prepared to have a gun held to my head to join the club. This is something that owners should be able to choose rather than being held ransom to buy parts.

I had looked for many years to find the correct Gilbern car only to be disappointed at the last hurdle.

The Owners clubs of the various makes have always been something that I have enjoyed joining and it has been worthwhile when you find so many like minded people who have enjoy the cars they own for many years. I have never left the MG owners club even when I changed cars and have always been welcomed back to meetings. Hence the reason I still own an MGB GT and through this ownership still continued looking for a Gilbern.

The joy of owning this wonderful car has now been taken away from me.

My question now “does anyone know of another Gilbern club please?”
If not does anyone want to buy a Gilbern Invader Estate please?

Thanks again Gavin for your support and apologies if this message has been taken in the wrong way as customer service should always be customer first then consider the implications of what is being said before saying it!

Terry

[Fareham GT]

Hi all,

I am very sorry that Terry found my text offensive, but as every club member will be aware the club is 50 years old next year, and the rules have always been that club spares are only available to paid up club members.

Those of us who are club members know the amount of money and effort that is put it by the many as to produce these spares, i.e. we all put in and we all get out. Unfortunately Terry only wants to take out and on his terms!

I wish him all the best in the restoration of his newly acquired Estate and the best of luck with finding the other Gilbern club, who when he finds it, will I am sure welcome him along with his attitude with open arms.

Regards

Brian Gent
New Spares Secretary

[Tony Hayward]

Well said Brian

As far as I am aware, the majority, if not all classic car clubs, allow only paid up members to purchase spares.

As you say, this is what a part of the membership cost is for-production of spares.
Surely £34 is not excessive for this service?

Tony

[Tony Hayward]

PS

I am sure that there are many Gilbern clubs that will welcome him with open arms!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tony

[lennyb72]

Terry,
I have been a member of the club for 10 year`s and it took me 8 years to find the right car. The monthly magazine is worth the membership fee alone! I have nothing but praise for Brian Gent and the way he conduct`s the spares operation. He is alway`s there on the end of the phone to answer any question`s and pass on advice if needed.He along with many other dedicated hard working
volenteer`s who make this club a pleasure to be part of.
Kevin Bennett [Bristol].

[Blackpool Plastic]

" I'm a new member.........." No, you were not as you said that you " would join " the club. The website makes it clear what the benefits of membership are which include a great magazine and indispensable new and used Spares operations. Spares take up a great deal of time and effort from Brian and Gavin and who are really appreciated. So if you want the benefits pay up and join.

Suggest you stick with MGOC !

[8vss]

Fully agree with Brian and the club policy, it's £34 which goes towards sourcing and having spares that are no longer available made for it's members.

[Gavin McArdle]

Hi Terry, I was the person who instigated the production of the present stock of chrome badges, I discovered a manufacturer, discussed the production and took control of quality issues all as part of my voluntary role in the GOC. I was happy to do this for the greater good of the members.
Why should you come along and demand the fruits of this effort just because you think you should?
You are welcome to own a Gilbern without joining the club (some do) but you will also have to source your own spares.
Gavin