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Is KGAP Still In Business?
  • Mikes Service Center
    Posts: 5Hitchhiker
    Hi,

    We are in the process of restoring a 1947 Hudson Pickup. We were told that KGAP was the place to get all of our weather stripping and seals. We hav made numerous attempts to contact KGAP via phone and email, we have had no success. We are wondering if KGAP is still in business. Looking for some help locating the items we need or getting in contact with people that can help. We are trying to do a concourse restoration on this truck and we are looking for as much advice as we can get.
  • bartibog1bartibog1
    Posts: 222Expert Adviser
    try dr doug
    I would check with Wildrick Rubber Products, who is the new and leading game in town.
    Their # is: 317-398-4163

  • VicTor ZVicTor Z
    Posts: 497Platinum Member
    Hi Mike S.C.,
    I have the window channeling , division bars and beltlines (Fuzzies) for your Hudson truck Email me at thez@verizon.net or cal my voice mail at (562) 947-5864. VicTor Z
  • Nevada HudsonNevada Hudson
    Posts: 955Platinum Member
    The persons who run K-Gap lost interest.
  • RL ChiltonRL Chilton
    Posts: 3,477Platinum Member
    Mike's Service Center-

    Yes, as listed above, call Wildrick Rubber Products, who will have all your rubber needs for y'all's truck. Dennis will most likely answer the phone and most helpful.
    Russell

    http://www.52hornetvert.blogspot.com
  • hudsontechhudsontech
    Posts: 4,077Platinum Member
    If K-Gap people have lost interest what happened to the business?? The Hudson world wonders........

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
    http://www.hetclub.org/
    http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm
  • 402Bowtie
    Posts: 69Greasemonkey
    Do not deal with K-Gap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Huddy42Huddy42
    Posts: 1,013Platinum Member
    You can't.
  • RonSRonS
    Posts: 617Platinum Member
    I just don't understand. If Danny & Kaylene lost interest, why won't they sell off the stock and cut their loses? The more this goes on two things will happen. 1. As a hole in the market exists,someone will start up a rival company and reduce the value of Kgap. 2. The "good will" that is always figured in the value of a business disappears by the day, ultimitely just leaving unsold inventory to dispose of. ???
  • Ken U-Tx
    Posts: 1,171Platinum Member
    Ron S. #1 has already happened, two companies are providing products that KGap used to provide. #2 is fast approaching. If they have unsold inventory, they sure don't seem intent on selling it.
  • ratlee2ratlee2
    Posts: 157Expert Adviser
    Is anyone supplying stainless steel trim retainers? I know there is a guy in Detroit making out of galvanized metal, but they are really thin. KGAP were very good quality.

    Rich
  • hudsontechhudsontech
    Posts: 4,077Platinum Member
    As i recall somebody did offer to buy them out at one point. My understanding they were chased of rather rudely. I could be wrong, however.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
    http://www.hetclub.org/
    http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm
  • Ken U-Tx
    Posts: 1,171Platinum Member
    Rich, re: the stainless trim retainers: I am sure Kgap had a metal fabrication firm make theirs, but Kgap doesn't seem to be a functioning company. Too bad, they had all these viable and needed products, and then let it all go to waste. Now it is up to someone else to make to contract with a metal fab shop to produce a minimum quantity of these at cost and then try to resell with a profit margin......
  • Nevada HudsonNevada Hudson
    Posts: 955Platinum Member
    You are right on that one, Alex!
  • 464Saloon
    Posts: 923Platinum Member
    I spoke to Dany at K Gap the other day as I ordered all my parts (rubber gaskets etc) from them.I got part of the order from him a couple of months ago when I drove out there. He said he would have the rest in a couple of weeks. He said he just doesn't have the money to run more parts. When I hinted ( since he is in my chapter and I have known him a long time) that he should consider a buyer for the company he got very quiet and said I need to do what I need to do for my car. So I have sent a list of what I still need to Doug Wildrick and see how that works out.
  • Jon BJon B
    Posts: 4,802Moderator
    I wonder if he's considered getting someone in to advise him, and give him a business plan? There is a group called SCORE (a group of retired executives) that give advice to small businesses for a nominal fee (or maybe even free). It's a non-profit. One of the sponsors is the Small Business Administration. A SCORE advisor might work out a business plan for K-Gap which would allow them to turn this thing around and gradually build up the business back up.

    http://www.score.org/?gclid=CP3OkpuJ4bUCFZOe4Aod4kcA8Q

    Most of us self-employed people are not business school graduates, we kind of play it by ear. But with the help of a group like this, a business owner can gain the invaluable experience of people who have been in business their whole career.

    Possibly the adviser would suggest (for example) that K-Gap concentrate on a few of its best-selling items and then, with the profits from those, gradually build up the inventory for other catalog items, one at a time. The advisers will certainly have ideas, maybe some of which Dany hasn't considered. If it's free advice (but from professionals, so it's valuable), so it would seem to make sense to at least take a look at it.

    I don't know the Springs, but maybe someone who does could suggest this idea. It would be a tragedy to for Hudsonites to lose the resources of K-Gap.

  • BrowniepetersenBrowniepetersen
    Posts: 2,438Platinum Member
    Figuring out how to make a profit in the old car market is tough. I gave up a long time ago because I am not willing to sell a product that I would not put on my own car or because once I get a part properly restored no one wants to pay what it costs. IT IS JUST NOT FOR ME. Because I own a business most suppliers are willing to cut me a discount. The best cut I have been able to get is 25 percent. One would think that 25 percent would be more than enough mark up. It never worked for me. I would end up being told that my customer could get it at a better price somewhere else or they would just rather have an unrestored part. Also, If you are carrying ten thousand dollars of inventory and not turning it over on an annual basis you are loosing money. I know some do well with this business, but unlike those who do restorations or such, I do not have the shop or ongoing work you need to have to keep a business running. Parts alone are not enough to make it worth it. I am happy building my cars, selling a few now and then, and helping folks when I can... Just my thoughts....
    Brownie
  • 402Bowtie
    Posts: 69Greasemonkey
    Hey 464, you said you went and picked up your order, I would like to pick up my order also. What is Dany's address?
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,602Platinum Member
    . "He said he just doesn't have the money to run more parts "


    When you take customers money and dont return a product or service its called fraud or theft.
    In the state where I live you go to jail for that,
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • benspaelectricscomau
    Posts: 4Hitchhiker
    My name is Ben from Australia and have been buying gear from K-Gap for the last 6 years i am desperate to find the outer door rubber seals for a 1957 Hudson K-Gap no 730.I rung numerous times tried to email and have sent a letter to no avail can someone in Hudson land steer me in the right direction of another supplier .
  • Kdancy
    Posts: 1,074Platinum Member
    In thinking this over myself, I wonder if the refusal to sell out has to do with all the orders that have been placed and paid for but not sent out? Wouldn't new owners face that liability as well?
    Kerry
    Wellborn, Florida
    http://s294.beta.photobucket.com/user/studebaker2/library/
  • JasonNCJasonNC
    Posts: 372Gold Member
    I can remember when I first purchased my Hudson and was able to get all my needs from Press and Janet Kale when they owned K-Gap. I was one of the fortunate ones that was able to get my money back for a small order that I placed with K-Gap under the new owners through Paypal. I can only sympathize with those of you who have paid large sums to K-Gap in recent times.
  • hudsontechhudsontech
    Posts: 4,077Platinum Member
    I really hate to say this, but it appears that the only way to resolve the problem is for everyone who has pending orders with money paid get together and get a lawyer. I know the Springs have had family and financial problems but, as the old saying goes "when you're in a hole, quit digging"!!!! It would be far better for the Springs to find a buyer and work out some sort of plan to fill the outstanding orders. Perhaps threat of a law suit, or at the very least small claims court, would move them into doing this. At the moment there is a case of fraud here - advertising items, taking orders for them and not delivering said orders, but keeping the money. That, as Roger has pointed out, is illegal.
    I know we all hate to take such action as above against a fellow HET club member, but there comes a time when something has to be done if only to alert people who are not on this forum, or not online so do not know there is a problem. I'm sure there are some non-club member Hudson owners who are restoring and don't realize the problem here.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
    http://www.hetclub.org/
    http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm
  • Jon BJon B
    Posts: 4,802Moderator
    Ben from Australia, you need to start a separate discussion for your request! My advice would be to check with AMC / Rambler / Nash parts houses. My guess is that a 1957 full-sized Nash would have had the same door weatherstrip as its Hudson counterpart. Possibly the '57 Ramblers might have used the same as well, though of course in a different length -- if this was merely an extruded weatherseal, of course. If moulded, then they wouldn't be interchangeable.

    Take a look at this one and see if it seems to come close to what you need: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nash-Rambler-AMC-1937-1957-Door-Weather-Seal-New-USA-Made-Look-See-av-C-/251102670362

    Of course there are "universal" seals out there, and possibly you can find one that comes close to matching the original. At least it would be a "placeholder" until the real thing comes along.

    Have you been in touch with the Hudson / Rambler club there in Australia? Maybe someone there can help you.
  • benspaelectricscomau
    Posts: 4Hitchhiker
    Thanks people for your input i will try Wildrick Rubber i couldn't find them on the net but i will email the rubber seal on ebay appears to be different to what i need
  • Jon BJon B
    Posts: 4,802Moderator
    Here's Doug Wildrick's website. http://wildrickrestorations.com/
  • Nevada HudsonNevada Hudson
    Posts: 955Platinum Member
    Yeah, I need it too for both of my 56's !
  • Ken U-Tx
    Posts: 1,171Platinum Member
    http://www.restorationspecialties.com/2011_Catalog_Web.pdf#page=49

    96008..........$2.00/Ft
    1952-57 Nash
    1955-57 Hudson
    1955-62 Rambler
    Door Seal
  • benspaelectricscomau
    Posts: 4Hitchhiker
    It is very disapointing that Kaylene hasn't put up a note on the K-Gap web site to let everyone know that the shop was permantly closed and no more orders i have been trying since before Xmas .
  • JasonNCJasonNC
    Posts: 372Gold Member
    If she's still taking orders when the shop has closed, somebody needs to notify the local DA's office or the California Attorney General about what's going on.
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,602Platinum Member
    If she let folks know it was closed money would stop coming in . Could that be the reason ?
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • roy chapin
    Posts: 35Greasemonkey
    I don't think that is true. I was sent my order two days ago. No problems.
  • Marker345Marker345
    Posts: 90Senior Contributor
    K-Gap has ripped me off for hundreds of dollars. My order from May of 2011 has never shipped despite be reassured by their little girl that " the order will be on it's way in 2 weeks" several times. I can only guess where my money went: gambling? alcohol? drugs? personal auto restoration? ( I know that can take a lot of $). There are other much more reliable sources for parts, you just need to be more resourceful.
  • oldhudsonsoldhudsons
    Posts: 1,752Platinum Member
    Many of you have examined or criticized K-GAP as a business model so let's take a look at it.
    In the last many years that Janet & Press ran it, it was a "mom & pop" operation out of their home so many of the things ticked off by 46 unapplicable (mortgage, food, insurance, etc.). There were no employees & they didn't have to make a profit off it altho I'm sure it was profitable. Janet did all the paper work, Press the production end. They had/have a very nice home in a very nice neighborhood long before K-GAP entered the picture.
    The Springs on the other hand both worked/work, had children, and the other expenses that life in the big city require so an entirely different business model/situation. I think they just "bit off more than they could chew" so to speak, unfortunately for all concerned.
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,602Platinum Member
    Thats probably true - took on more than they can chew - But - I know of at least two financialy well off buissness folk's in our club who offered to Buy out or into Kgap. And were sumarily dissmissed. This was well after the number of unfilled orders had become common knowlage.
    I find the whole thing very odd, I too used to buy items from Kgap and never had an issue. But that was with the original owners,
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • oldhudsonsoldhudsons
    Posts: 1,752Platinum Member
    perhaps they feel they can resurrect the business? It's impossible to know how much inventory they may still have. They may not have anything left to sell!?!
    I used to just drive down to their house & pick it up to save the time & expense of shipping so visited their home on many occasions + attended various parties there too.
  • 464Saloon
    Posts: 923Platinum Member
    Dany is spread pretty thin. He work in a wood trim mill, runs Kgap and has a garage full of customer cars he works on. He has quite a bit of stuff of his own. He actually is a pretty talented guy and has a lot of mechanical knowledge. In a lot of ways he is perfect for owning the business. Again I think he is just spread too thin. The girls don't appear to be much help or support and from what I can tell Kaylene is just off the radar. She was home and never even came out when I was there. Spent a couple of hours going over the parts and looking at his projects. One of the daughters popped in briefly wearing a Del Taco uniform so I doubt she knows or cares much about what is going on with Kgap. From my dealings thus far with Doug Wildrick, he is professional and on point. He has already got back to me and putting together what I need. We will see how it goes.
  • Nevada HudsonNevada Hudson
    Posts: 955Platinum Member
    You should have asked him why they are keeping customers money without sending the product.
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,602Platinum Member
    I had a simmilar issue years ago when I was married .My wife fought me at every turn on the bussiness. Refused to help in any way ,to the extent I had to pay an answering service to just answer the phones so she could be out doing whatever (spending money).
    I am no longer married.............
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • Kdancy
    Posts: 1,074Platinum Member
    464- The truth is, that doesn't really matter. Taking customers money and not delivering product paid for is a very big issue and should be legally pursued. Hoping that one day the parts will just show up is like a person whistling past the graveyard pretending it isn't there.
    It's not hard to do a small claims suit even out of state. I had to file one over some auto parts I bought from out of state and kept all my correspondance and reciepts. They let me do a court case over the phone and when the judge read my info that I had sent copies of, it was open and shut case.
    Kerry
    Wellborn, Florida
    http://s294.beta.photobucket.com/user/studebaker2/library/
  • hudsontechhudsontech
    Posts: 4,077Platinum Member
    Danny may be busy, but it takes only a few moments to answer emails. Ok, a little longer to respond to a letter. If a phone number is included with the order (as it should be) it doesn't take long to call that number. Club members who have sent me letters and emails over the years can attest to the fact that their questions were promptly answered usually within 24 hours - I amend that to say that when I was in the Coast Guard it might have taken a month or so to get an answer out but it was attended to as soon as I got home. Most everybody I correspond with these days answer promptly if at all possible. I do say my reason, besides common courtesy, is that if I didn't answer within 24 hours I'd probably forget it!!! :D

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
    http://www.hetclub.org/
    http://hetclub.org/burr/lithomepage.htm
  • TOM-WA-TOM-WA-
    Posts: 493Platinum Member
    HOW MUCH LONGER ARE WE GOING TO WALK PAST THE ROAD KILL IN THE STREET AND POKE IT WITH A STICK....

    MY GOSH LICK YOUR WOUNDS AND MOVE ON WITH LIFE FOLKS....
  • Ken U-Tx
    Posts: 1,171Platinum Member
    Tom in WA, if you have no stake in the Kgap debate, and are tired of hearing about it, if the Subject heading has "Kgap" in it, just don't read it. There are lots of people that have a legal and financial issue with Kgap, and it is an ongoing issue. Your inappropriate comments are only going to piss a lot of people off, and you might not want to come face to face with them at a HET meet.
  • RonSRonS
    Posts: 617Platinum Member
    Actually, it effects all Hudson owners. I personally never had an issue with Kgap or the Springs. I may have had to make a second call, but when my purchase arrived , I sent a check for the order. Trust... like when Press and Janet were owners. However, my last order was a couple of years ago. But, there must be some present issue. If a new Hudson owner tries to place an order and bad stuff happens, that new owner will dump that Hudson faster than ice melting in hell. Enough burned owners and the resale of are cars will tumble, & a reputation will ensue that will hinder sales to new owners. "Oh Hudson, you can't get parts for them" will be the word through the hobby. We all have a stake in a supply issue, and this is a supply issue. Think for a moment about how many HET owners are staying quiet and saying to themselves, " I love my car, but I doubt I would go through the trouble of another Hudson". Yep, we all have a stake. Ron
  • Ken U-Tx
    Posts: 1,171Platinum Member
    True, it really affects all of us SERIOUS Hudson owners, excepting those dabbling dilettantes with a condescending attitude towards us serious Hudson owners.

    Postscript: This Comment is basically directed at Tom-WA in response to his denigrating comment at 1:49pm, 3-10-2013 above.
  • Pacemaker500Pacemaker500
    Posts: 1,008Platinum Member
    [quote]dabbling dilettantes with a condescending attitude towards us serious Hudson owners[/quote]

    I guess just trying to keep my single-family, 4th generation ownership no longer qualifies me for Hudson ownership. So much for Hudson Club Membership. I was looking forward to getting to come to the National in Indiana and bringing the car.
  • commodorecollectorcommodorecollector
    Posts: 299Hitchhiker
    As a newer member to HET, I am pleased I found out about the state of Kgap before I ordered anything. Sad as it is, it is good to know there is someone else we can go to within our club (Dr. Doug) who can help supply us Hudnuts with the rubber seals and other parts we need. I just hope all those who have ordered from Kgap can get the parts they order or a full refund, since it is not fair for both parties.
    Sure to some this has gone on way longer than it should have, but there are still people out there who did not know and do not know. We would be better off informing them so they can save themselves the trouble and get the parts they need.
    just my two cents.
    Christopher
    Wyotech Sacramento Grad 2013
    - Collision and Refinishing
    -Applied Service Management

    Own:
    1954 Hudson Hornet Sedan //1949 Hudson Commodore 6 Sedan // 1949 Hudson Super 6 Sedan // 1941 Hudson Super 6 Sedan
    Wanted:
    1949 Hudson Commodore 6 Club Coupe // 1949 Hudson Super 6 Brougham // 1950 Hudson Super 6 Brougham
    All Stepdown Coupes and Broughams
    1937 Brougham, Victoria Coupe, Utility Coupe, and Sedan (all models acceptable)
    1936 Coupe
  • Ken U-Tx
    Posts: 1,171Platinum Member
    Pacemaker 500, in no way was my comment directed at you. You are a serious Hudson guy, having had your car in the family for generations. I am sorry if you thought my comment was directed towards you. Right now feelings are high amomg many of us over the Kgap issue. Some other person posted a comment that was denigrating to us Hudson owners that do have an issue with Kgap to the tune of thousands of dollars. I understand you are having difficulties, having to relocate in the USA. I hope you stay with the Hudson community and make it to Indiana in the summer. Best wishes, Kenneth
  • TOM-WA-TOM-WA-
    Posts: 493Platinum Member
    WONDER WHAT QUALIFIES A PERSON AS A "SERIOUS" HUDSON PERSON?

    IS IT MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL HET CLUBS?
    IS IT OWNERSHIP OF A HUDSON CAR?

    HMMM... SOME OF OUR MOST LOYAL AND ARDENT "SERIOUS" MEMBERS DON'T QUALIFY IF
    THAT IS THE REQUIREMENT....

  • Ken U-Tx
    Posts: 1,171Platinum Member
    Tom, a serious Hudson person wouldn't be insulting other Hudson owners by belittling their legitimate concerns over a company that has basically been defrauding them. You did that. And yes, my comment was directed at you.
  • Nevada HudsonNevada Hudson
    Posts: 955Platinum Member
    Membership in the National is a start!
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