Suffolk Sportscars

[steve3.8]

The JEC mag arrived yesterday, inside Keith Vincent reported on the threat of legal action over logo's,trademarks & design which sadly ended with Suffolk Sportscars ceasing to manufacture the SS100 .

Is this the start of a distasteful trend ? ------to be rolled out across the c,d,e model range .
Seems a little harsh to single out one company that has been building this model for 25+ years--- or maybe a list of unused SS100 chassis numbers has been found .

[Heuer]

Nothing to do with illegal VIN registration and duping customers then?

[mgcjag]

Suffolk going into administration was down to its finances.....you only have to look at its accounts over the last few years..and see their huge debts...add to that they were selling cars for around £100k and none were registered with the DVLA then it was only a matter of time before they closed down......what they were doing was selling one of their new build SS100 or C types with the number plate and V5 of another car....usually XJ6....so the xj6 was still registeted but didnt exist.......They did report that they were threatened with legal action by a " major" car company if they did not stop making their cars....but frankly i dont believe it...none of the other "Replica" companies as far as im aware have been stoped............However within a few weeks guess what...Suffolk Classic services is up and running..same premesis, tools equipment, staff...but no debts.....Add to this that its rumoured that the dvla knew what was going on and were refusing re register a Suffolk when it changed hands and that there were a few owners believing they had a legit car talking about legal action then administration was an easy way out......Steve

[mgcjag]

Just to add....the "new Suffolk" is now offering to IVA test and register all Suffolks that need an IVA......oh and that will be £6k+.........

[steve3.8]

Nothing to do with illegal VIN registration and duping customers then?

Nothing in the article referring to that, although more details are welcome --- that would be a DVLA /police issue not JLR surely ?
The alleged legal threat was late 2019 over logo's ,design and trademarks--this was released as a press statement by Suffolk Sportscars. If untrue that would have been libelous.

Suffolk services are from what i see just that ,repairs and servicing etc no manufacturing .
I have no issue with either party ,only to wonder if this may develop in time with other models---

[Heuer]

Head over to Jag-Lovers and check out their Replica Forum for details. Nothing to do with JLR (who just lost a copyright suit over the Defender) but more to do with misleading their customers as Steve says. Incidentally if anyone knows the truth behind this sorry tale it is Steve(mgcjag).

[mgcjag]

Hi Steve.....i dont think that Suffolk actually mentioned JLR......they just mentioned a major manuacturer.....also it would have been very easy to still produce their replicas without useing any trademark or logo as for design the Ss100 and C types havent been produced by JLR for over 60 years do dont think this would have been a problem.....as i mentioned others are still produceing without a problem......it really is inexcusable in my book that Suffolk could have produced and sold so many "ringers" to customers who thought they were purchasing a legit car from a well know manufacturer......When i enquired about one of their C types they told me it was registered correctly for use in the UK....the V5 and numberplate was for an XJ6...as far as im aware only one car ever left their factory that was IVA tested and registered correctly becaus the purchaser insisted on it....Steve

[steve3.8]

Think we have two issues here , one regarding dvla /iva ---the other being manufacturing design rights.

https://www.eadt.co.uk/business/suffolk ... -1-6821568

The JEC article is interesting , Daimler AG stopped replica gullwings being made.

[mgcjag]

Hi Steve...There is nothing in writing from Suffolk that i have heard of that actually states that JLR had anything to do with them ceasing production......and i know of no other Replica manufacturer that have recieved such a letter......Suffolks Administration details can be seen on the companies house website...debts of £800k.....As far as im aware Mercedes have never allowed any "copies" that's why you cannot as far as im aware buy any Merc repro parts...JLR however gave their blessing to the Challenger E.....and uses numerous repro parts in its own E type projects......Steve