snipped: "It is yet another thing for a bunch of guys to get together and build a hideously expensive sports car and name it 'Bugatti' when they have no connection by blood, nationality, or philosophy to the original."
great point. that's the way i feel about any branded u.s. masi built after the rexart era. e-RICHIE chester, ct
On Fri, 19 Mar 2004 10:38:04 EST BobHoveyGa@aol.com writes:
In a message dated 3/19/04 7:48:51 AM, richardsachs@juno.com writes:
> i never would question the legitimacy of these branded frames,
> but i was curious re why a CR-er would want one. i appreciate
> reading all the varied replies. thanks!
I think I can question the legitimacy of at least some 'branded' frames... though it's a matter of degree (and personal opinion of course). I feel it is one thing for Ford to buy Jaguar and revamp the company's economics while
continuing to produce a car in the old facility which bears some resemblance to what had been built before. It is yet another thing for a bunch of guys to get together and build a hideously expensive sports car and name it 'Bugatti'
when they have no connection by blood, nationality, or philosophy to the original. My cynicism towards businessmen, advertisers and investors (and my admiration for the original marque) will not allow me to accept this.
My attitude towards a company that would take the name 'Motobecane' and slap it on a bike (that has little if any connection to the original) would be one of contempt or at least apathy. I think it would actually make me LESS likely to buy one of their bikes.
And let me add that this has little to do with the actual quality of the bike... even if that Chinese Motobecane was a topnotch rider, better than the original even, the very fact that they named it "Motobecane" would be a turnoff. Put another way, I'd have to admit that if you had chosen to resurrect a dead but respected name, say your bikes were badged 'Automoto' rather than 'Richard Sachs', I'd know I'd be far less likely to want one. But that's just me.
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA