Fancy a new [old] model TVR in Spring 2009?
Reprinted from issue 396 | The Monthly Magazine of the TVR Car Club
TVRCC Ltd. | Newport, England, UK | www.tvrcc.com
Hi, I’m Jim Cowen, the TVRCCNA Regalia Chairman.
When I joined I went looking for a TVR 2500M model and only found a kit that was long out of production and a pewter model on eBay. I then approached several manufacturers about commissioning a 2500M and was given outrageous costs and/or volumes, or, told they weren’t interested. I did find one manufacturer willing to do it, but, had trepidation with communicating and managing this type of project halfway around the world. Not one to give up (this may be a personality defect), I soldered on with my two companies, the reason for telling you this next part will become clear:
So how does this lead to creating a 2500M?
Diecasm wanted to create a relationship with Collectors Foundation which provides youth training on restoration and care of older cars. During this process, I was interviewed by Raffi Minasian, a Collector Foundation board member, model designer, and former creative director for Franklin Mint. During the interview I mentioned wanting to build the 2500M and he offered his expertise. So to bring this story to conclusion, the AutoModello™ brand was born to bring the 2500M produced in a limited edition of 1 of 947 units to market. When Diecasm sells AutoModello products, the donation amount is raised to 20% on AutoModello products, see AutoModello 2500M.
At this year’s TVR Car Club North America's 2008 Out of Woodwork, we began to take special preorders for the 2500M for Spring 2009 delivery. The model being produced is the early 2500M with the hood (bonnet) scoops and front-fender vents. If this model proves successful, AutoModello will add more products. Further, if you have specific charities in the UK or elsewhere within the TVRCC sphere, Diecasm will donate to these charitable organizations as well.
TVRCC Ltd. | Newport, England, UK | www.tvrcc.com
Hi, I’m Jim Cowen, the TVRCCNA Regalia Chairman.
When I joined I went looking for a TVR 2500M model and only found a kit that was long out of production and a pewter model on eBay. I then approached several manufacturers about commissioning a 2500M and was given outrageous costs and/or volumes, or, told they weren’t interested. I did find one manufacturer willing to do it, but, had trepidation with communicating and managing this type of project halfway around the world. Not one to give up (this may be a personality defect), I soldered on with my two companies, the reason for telling you this next part will become clear:
- Aqubanc works with nonprofits and charitable organizations in the US and Canada, mostly homeless shelters and child/youth services. One of the difficulty these organizations have is they can only obtain donations from a land-locked radius; what I mean, is it doesn’t make sense for someone in Orlando to solicit someone in Boise Idaho. Yet there has to be away to unlock these donations, or, to unearth the unknown outside the radius. Separately and also, Aqubanc commissioned a software bridge between our Cheque 21® System and fundraising software. Aqubanc code named this bridge 2500M with the plan to come up with a different name later on, except we found that the name was memorable. So instead it was branded 2500M® and can be viewed at www.2500M.com
- For years, since I only have a 2-car garage, I’ve been collecting diecast models. So to help out my Aqubanc clients, I founded Diecasm which unearths the unknown within and outside the radius. Since “mind the gap” was already taken and I didn’t want to be sued by the London Tube®, Diecasm brings collectors and nonprofits together. Each purchase results in a 10% donation to a selected nonprofit, and, the buyer is required to select a nonprofit organization when they check-out. Building Diecasm this last year has helped to give me an understanding of the collector market, they are in fact similar to donors in that their purchase satisfies a need (such as finding a car they always wanted or may have once owned). One of the keys has been to only add nonprofits who can truly benefit from smaller donations and whose work can mean something to the buyer. When a $5 (or 5 quid) donation is made to a homeless shelter 5 people may be feed for example. See Diecasm Nonprofits
So how does this lead to creating a 2500M?
Diecasm wanted to create a relationship with Collectors Foundation which provides youth training on restoration and care of older cars. During this process, I was interviewed by Raffi Minasian, a Collector Foundation board member, model designer, and former creative director for Franklin Mint. During the interview I mentioned wanting to build the 2500M and he offered his expertise. So to bring this story to conclusion, the AutoModello™ brand was born to bring the 2500M produced in a limited edition of 1 of 947 units to market. When Diecasm sells AutoModello products, the donation amount is raised to 20% on AutoModello products, see AutoModello 2500M.
At this year’s TVR Car Club North America's 2008 Out of Woodwork, we began to take special preorders for the 2500M for Spring 2009 delivery. The model being produced is the early 2500M with the hood (bonnet) scoops and front-fender vents. If this model proves successful, AutoModello will add more products. Further, if you have specific charities in the UK or elsewhere within the TVRCC sphere, Diecasm will donate to these charitable organizations as well.