What's Up With Vintage Inlines?

GreasyNRusty

GreasyNRusty

New member
It's 10-ish in Houston, and I got a sudden craving (no, I'm not pregnant) for Matt's "Ford Six" book and keyboarded my way over to Vintage Inline's site with the idea of ordering a copy from The Man hisself (maybe I could get it autographed!).
Went to the products page, which seemed to be a bunch smaller than it used to be and the Book...was...out of stock. I bought it elsewhere.
The aluminum heads were still not back in stock. Neither were most of the other product items on the page.
I fear the worst, Matt--please let me know what's goin' on?
Eddie
 
I haven’t dealt with him recently, but others have experienced delays too. He is still there, just running the place by himself and too much to do is what I’ve heard. The al heads have had production problems, I think there still in the works but problems need to be sorted first. There is a waiting list that is currently not being added to at this point.
Maybe someone has a better update with better news.
 
This is a YouTube video from about 1.5 years ago. The video is an interview with Matt. I did not watch the video, but I believe he addresses delays. Also, I saw somewhere that Matt was waiting for someone to finish 3D printing something for the foundry, but I don't remember where I saw that. Sorry, this may be information that is too old and useless. Me personally, I was glad to see that at least there was still movement a year and a half ago!

 
I've reviewed that vid several times, and yes, the reasons for the ongoing aluminum head delays make perfect sense--especially for a one-person company, But the real worrisome part is Vintage Inlines' reduction in catalogued inventory of readily saleable retail saleable items.
That said, I DID get this e-mail from Matt:

Cylinder Head Update 10/14/24​
Owe everyone an update​
df1bdd_8c7fbaacca224e6c8eacdf4070885b2a~mv2.jpg
Cylinder Head Update- October 2024

This is the latest update, but still not an invitation to order, sorry. Please do not email me or call to ask if you are on the lists. I have not been adding names to the email contact list because it grew so large and so much time had passed that it was no longer up to date. I am investigating how to create a form on the website specifically to create a new list of interested customers.

There is news to report. The company I was trying to work with is under new ownership. I have been in touch with the new owners and they are interested in proceeding with the cylinder heads. Timing is not determined but work is being done to create the digital model that will be needed for machining and the foundry has been re-engaged.

My plan is still to contact everyone from the original waiting list to give them the first chance to get one of the heads. Then, I'll make them available through the website. I will probably pre-sell when the heads are almost ready. I need to do this to pay for them when they are made.

Thanks for your patience,
Matt

​
 
Hi guys. Thanks for your concern!

I recently retired from my day job and am trying to get things going full steam again with Vintage Inlines.

I am getting a large order of headers made and should get them by end of January.

I have a few leftover head castings that I am in the process of getting built and trying to get new castings made with the new owner of the company I’ve been trying to work with since before COVID!

Please have patience and look for some real progress soon!

Matt
 
That's great news, Matt. Welcome to retirement and best of luck to you and VI.
 
Congratulations Matt!!! You won't regret retiring. I'm happy to hear that you are doing okay. I was really worried about your health. I was worried it had turned south on you. I remember you had quite a fight with Covid earlier on. Happy to know things are starting to look up for the business. There are many people rooting for you, & the troubles you've come thru with your health & the cylinder head progress show your perseverance. Thank you for your persistence thru all of the odds against you. Many people also looking forward to the new Vintage Inlines products!!! Looks like 2025 is going to be a banner year!!!
 
Just as a side issue, Aussiespeed have a number of alloy casings done somewhere in Australia I believe. that might be a contact point for you. HSD, 'head Stud developments in Melbourne must also have some foundry available, maybe another contact here for you. Both of these look to turn out some good quality stuff. The Donald may be unhappy to get stuff done outside of USA, I cant help there. Still cant believe what happened in your elections.

 
matcox83 said:
Hi guys. Thanks for your concern!

I recently retired from my day job and am trying to get things going full steam again with Vintage Inlines.

I am getting a large order of headers made and should get them by end of January.

I have a few leftover head castings that I am in the process of getting built and trying to get new castings made with the new owner of the company I’ve been trying to work with since before COVID!

Please have patience and look for some real progress soon!

Matt
Click to expand...

Nice! Awesome news that things are still going in a positive direction. I’ve only officially joined the L6 family this last year but I’ve been lurking in the shadows of Fordsix and Vintage Inlines for several years, rooting for your business from the sidelines. Congrats on making retirement and success at VI.

Cheers,
Andrew
 
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