Bob, it already a done deal, and not my deal, it's Barry and Peters project, they did the design work, and Im the last guy on earth that is going to tell a automotive legend like Peter Brock, he got it wrong
It's just another option for MGBs if people like them.
I'll say this one of the things we had to deal with in these modern remakes like the Retro 4 is people thinking it was not exact copy of the original Libre and it's not a exact copy, it's a modern remake, so slightly different. The Libre for example was unpainted in the center spokes and had a very rough casting, the people who love those wheels of the era loved that look and probably dont like our new Retro 4 as much, but people today want to see wheel with a more "finished" look, so we made what I consider a more finished Libre-like product, kinda like a Libre after a makeover if you will
that plan has worked well, the wheels are selling very steadily, and currently represent 30% of our total sales, which for us is like knocking the ball out of the park, considering people still like the sliver 8 spoke wheel so much. I also had some unique comments on the Retro 4, one being that certain folks didn't like the old Libre design, but like our Retro 4 more for it's more detailed finished look, and I kinda agree with that, I for one, never cared that much for the old Libre, but still backed the decision to make them based on what consumers told me and like the new product.
I think we also dealing with a certain amount of people who covet the original old wheels, and to be honest with you, thats probably never going to be our market, those guys will always go out and find old original wheels and restore them, and thats has very little to do with selling new wheels.
One of the things I tried to do with Barry at VTO is keep in mind my opinion is just one of many, and rely on the voices of the masses rather than the voices of a few, even if it's my voice as well. Like I said before the idea to remake the Retro 4 was mine, but it had little to none to do with my likings, I would have probably went for a Revolution 4 spoke design if it were totally up to me, but I could clearly see people wanted a modern remake of the Libre, and they have sold well, Barry and I both didn't like the Libre, can you imagine how big a leap of faith it was for Barry to write a big fat check to make a wheel he didn't even like, and he still doesn't like the Retro 4 wheel, where I do now, it was a leap of faith for him to say the least. It has laid heavly on my mind, I often think about what if the Retro 4 was a complete flop, Barry would never listened to my advice ever again, I'm very relieved to say that idea has paid off.
At the end of the day, were not going to please everyone, and this wheel will not be everyone's cup of tea, but if some folks like them and buy them, it will be a success,if not, oh well we tried. people are still going to buy the silver Classic 8 the most, we often joke about it, and call it the "vanilla" wheel, the most common choice, but still the most popular look for MG owners, and while we are offering some new products, the warehouse will still always have a plenty of silver Classic 8s for our customers, but I think it's neat that we are offering choices in our wheels for our customers, and thats unique approach, as the rest seems to be focused on a single design, I fiquire having choice is always better than having no choice.