Before you even consider handing over any money to purchase a Formula 27 kit car from Yorkshire Kit Cars, Don Burt or Steve Porter et al,
please read the following warning VERY throroughly, and make your own decisions afterwards. And if you still decide to give any of them your
money, GOOD LUCK - you will probably need it !!
It all started in September 1999, on a track weekend
in Zolder, Belgium. Under repeated heavy braking (those that have driven around Zolder will know how hard the circuit is on
your brakes !!), the right-hand-side Rover V8 rubber engine mount on my Formula 27 sheared, allowing the entire engine/gearbox
assembly to slide forwards. The crankshaft pulley then came into contact with the right front inboard spring, and as it rotated,
began cutting its way through the spring. Luckily, before this task was completed, the sharp edges of the modified spring in turn
cut into the fan belt, causing it to break. The first indication that I had that anything was wrong (apart from a slight squeaking
noise under braking) was when the temperature guage suddenly rocketed, and the expansion tank pressure relief valve let a cloud
of steam out from under the bonnet.
In order that I could limp home with the Formula 27, Gerry Hawkridge donated a spare Rover V8 fan belt to me, and a temporary
engine mount was made out of a block of wood and a coathanger !!
I then contacted Steve Porter (the then Managing Director of Formula 27), and ordered a pair of front springs from him. The
units that Steve recommended, sold and supplied to me were 12" 200 lbs/in, which gave almost zero ground clearance and were
hopelessly solid, causing the front of the car to bounce up and down out of control on the slightest of bumps or uneven surfaces.
The first time that I drove the Formula 27 after I had fitted these springs, I lost control of the car (seconds after this photo was
taken at the Bottrop Slalom race on 07.05.00) and hit the kerb, damaging the lower front suspension wishbone beyond repair.
Unfortunately, the car then sat in our garage for over four months, awaiting replacement parts (ordered on 15.05.00, cheque cashed
on 06.06.00, but no parts received yet) from Steve 'the best reason to buy a Westfield SEight' Porter, Managing Director
of Formula 27!
Let the saga continue, with copies of all my correspondance on this matter to date - intended as a warning to anyone considering
purchasing a new or secondhand Formula 27 (and if this doesn't put you off, my Formula 27 is up for sale now, albeit for another
reason !) ....
To: Formula 27, Steve Porter (Fax 0044-1453-886223)
From: David Butcher
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2000
Dear Steve,
Unfortunately, I got slightly over-enthusiastic yesterday whilst taking part in a slalom event in the F27 V8 (wide-body), and
hit a kerbstone quite hard with the left front wheel. This damaged the front left-hand-side suspension items marked on the
attached photocopy - the lower wishbone bracket, adjustable lower ball joint and rear lower wishbone mounting bracket.
Could you please let me know if you have these items in stock, and how expensive are they (including shipping to Germany)?
I look forward to hearing from you shortly,
Yours faithfully,
David Butcher
From: F27SteveP@aol.com
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2000 4:44 PM
Subject: F27 Parts
Dear David,
Sorry to hear about your mishap!
Parts are 5 days delivery. Prices:- Lower wishbone complete with bushes and balljoint £90.00 Rear bracket £8.20 vat inc.
dely to Germany £25.00
regards
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2000 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
Hi Steve,
I have removed the bent left-hand-side front lower wishbone, and measured it - the short arm is ca. 33 cm long, the longer arm is ca. 42 cm (in case
there are a number of different units available).
Could you please send all the items quoted below:-
Lower LHS front wishbone, complete with bushes & balljoint £90.00
Rear bracket £8.20
Delivery to Germany £25.00
---------------------------
Total £123.20
(UK cheque in the post)
Delivery address as before:
The weather here is perfect for the F27 now - clear blue skies, 25°C - and it's stuck in the garage!
Best regards,
David (& Andrea) Butcher
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2000 5:58 PM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
Hi Steve,
It has just occurred to me, I will also need the recommended camber & castor angles for the front end, so that I can get this set up after the
lower wishbone and bracket have been replaced. Is there an optimum set of values for the F27 wide-body?
Many thanks,
David & Andrea (Butcher)
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
Hi Steve,
My damaged rims have been rebuilt and the new tyres are ready, so am now waiting only for the lower wishbone & balljoint from you before I can
get the F27 back on the road. We have registered for the Lotus 7 IG Annual International Meeting in Southern Germany from June 8th to 12th and
wanted to attend in the F27 (rather than the BRA 289), so need these parts by 3rd June latest.
Please could you confirm that
a) the parts are on their way
b) the total price, so that I can post a UK cheque off to you (£123,80?)
Regards,
David (Butcher)
From: F27SteveP@aol.com
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 9:31 AM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
David,
The parts are sat here waiting for your payment. The price is as quoted in my previous e-mail
Regards
Steve Porter
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 4:04 PM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
Steve,
Thanks for the belated news.
Assuming that the correct parts are waiting, and the price incudes VAT, I will post a UK cheque to you today. Please could you arrange for the parts
to leave UK soonest, so that I have a chance to show off the F27 at the Annual International Meeting.
Regards,
David Butcher
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2000 4:00 PM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
Steve,
Another week has gone by, and I am still without the parts ordered for my F27 (front LHS lower wishbone, rose joint, mounting bracket for F27
wide-body). If you have sent the parts, please could you trace their location with the courier, and give me some indication as to when I can expect
them?
If the parts were to arrive on or before Monday, I may be able to find a garage to weld on the new bracket before we leave on Thursday morning for
the Annual International 7 Club Meeting, but because the timing is so tight, I am now resolved to leaving our F27 in the garage, instead of showing
it off there (luckily sourcing parts from UK for my BRA 289 is not such a challenge, I've just received and fitted new MGB V8 exhaust manifolds -
three days between ordering from V8 Developments in Kent and receipt! - so at least we will be able to take part in that).
Shame, over 130 various 7s are registered for the event, with not a single F27 to be amongst them - but I suspect Zauber (German Westfield
agents) will not be too upset, since they will be present in force with their Seights and FW400s, and won't want our F27 V8 taking any interest
away from their kit.
Regards,
David Butcher
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 12:04 AM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
Steve,
Any news on the parts (still not arrived) or geometry setups?
David (Butcher)
From: F27SteveP@aol.com
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
David,
The parts were sent last Friday on Euro 48 guaranteed 2 days transit time.
You should have received them by Tuesday at the latest. As far as geometry is concerned just match the other side for both
caster and camber.
Steve Porter
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 7:57 PM
Subject: Re: F27 Parts
Steve,
THE PARTS HAVE STILL NOT ARRIVED.
CAN YOU PLEASE INITIATE A TRACE WITH EURO 48 TO FIND OUT WHERE THEY ARE NOW?
I HAVE PAID YOU 25 POUNDS FOR THIS 48 HOURS (NON)DELIVERY SERVICE.
When you sent me the C-spanner and springs in my last order, they took from 24.03.00 until 04.04.00 (also an alleged 48 hours
delivery service) - so if the parts left on 02.06.00, maybe I can expect them on 13.06.00?
In any case, it is too late to get the new bracket welded onto the car, and the geometry set up in time for this years'
International Meeting.
You have obviously never been into a German garage and asked them to 'just match the other side for both caster and camber'
- they expect a bit more accuracy, since this assumes that the offside has not been knocked out of alignment by the same kerb
(or at any other time), and doubles the alignment error in setting up the nearside!
David Butcher
From: david@289register.de
To: parcelforce@parcelforce.co.uk
Cc: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 8:48 PM
Subject: Euro 48 parcel (mis)delivery
Dear Sir or Madam,
Your web site claims Euro 48 offers "Guaranteed delivery in two working days to major European cities."
I assume that because we live 18 miles from the centre of the former capital of Germany (Bonn), and 24 miles from the centre
of Cologne (Köln), we qualify for this service. Otherwise, you continue "Elsewhere in Europe between 3-5 working days."
I ordered spare parts for my car on 15th May, which were eventually sent by Euro 48 on June 2nd (and I paid £25 for this
service!). I was expecting this parcel to arrive between June 5th (two working days) and June 8th (five working days).
This parcel has still not been delivered - it is now June 13th (12 calendar or 8 working days later!)
I would appreciate an explanation of what went wrong, and when (if?) I can eventually expect this parcel.
I had asked the sender to trace the parcel on my behalf, but have received no response from him to date.
The sender was
Steve Porter, Formula 27 Cars, Sterling Autoparts, Unit 6, Hope Mills Business Centre, Brimscombe, Stroud, GL5 2SE,
Gloucestershire.
The recipient (?) is
David Butcher, .........
The parcel contains parts required urgently to repair my car, and I agreed to pay the £25 charges in order to ensure that the
parts were received before 7th June (i.e. within 6 calendar or 4 working days). Because this date was not met, we could not
take part in the Lotus 7 International Annual Meeting (booked and paid for three months ago) held from 9th to 12th June in
this car, so I will expect compensation for the inconvenience caused.
Yours,
David Butcher
P.S. This is not the first time that you have let me down with a belated delivery.
On 24th March I ordered some other components, also via Euro 48 (sender and recipient addresses as above). These parts were
eventually delivered to me on 4th April - 12 calendar or 8 working days later.
Having lived in Germany for over 15 years, I can assure you that "German efficiency" is a myth, which has been
created largely by other companies (such as Euro 48) providing such an appalling service - promising so much, but failing to
deliver.
From: Parcelforce
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 4:13 PM
Subject: Euro 48 Parcel
Attn. David Butcher
Thankyou for your enquiry but for me to help you further I need the Euro 48 tracking number.
Regards
Martin Smith
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 5:34 PM
Subject: Fw: Euro 48 Parcel
Steve,
Can you PLEASE help me with this - the parts have STILL not arrived.
David & Andrea (Butcher)
From: David Butcher
To: Parcelforce
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 7:42 PM
Subject: Re: non delivery of Euro 48 Parcel after 14 days (AND COUNTING)
Attn. Martin Smith
Thank you for your e-mail reply.
Unfortunately, I have been trying to get the tracking number from Steve Porter (the sender) for over a week, but he has
ignored my three requests to pass this information on to me, claiming that the parcel was shipped on 2nd June, and is
therefore blaming Parcel Force for this huge delay (see copy of his e-mail below).
Therefore I can only repeat my requests
a) to you, to investigate this issue WITHOUT a tracking number, and
b) to Steve Porter, to pass on the tracking number to me (separate e-mail already sent).
Yours, a very irate and frustrated,
David Butcher
P.S. Two weeks have now elapsed since the parcel was allegedly sent, and it has still not arrived here yet!
From: Parcelforce Worldwide
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2000 4:28 PM
Subject: Fw: Contact us
Regards
David Stickley
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: Parcelforce Worldwide
To: david@289registar.de
Date: 16 June 2000 13:54
Subject: Contact us
Thanks for trying to get this information I do understand how frustrating this must be. We'll be happy to help with this enquriy once we have the
number.
Why don't you try to get the sender to e-mail me about this and I'll feedback to you.
Regards
Carolyn Clark
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: David Butcher
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Cc: Parcelforce
Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2000 7:56 PM
Subject: Fw: Contact us
Steve,
Surprise, surprise, the wishbone etc. still has not been delivered (16 days after you sent it!).
The e-mail above is as far as I can get with Parcel Force.
I ask you once again, PLEASE give either myself or Parcel Force the tracking number, so that I can establish where the parts are, OR REFUND
MY MONEY IN FULL (and I will get a new wishbone assembly made up locally).
If I do not receive the tracking number before Monday 19th June at 18:00 hours, I will initiate legal action to recover my money paid to you (on
06.06.00) and compensation due.
David Butcher
From: F27SteveP@aol.com
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 10:01 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: Contact us
All of the details relating to the consignment were notified to Parcel Force via our agents as soon as the late delivery was made known to us. It
would only serve to confuse the matter if someone else were involved in the investigation. We have no power to influence the speed at which the
investigation is carried out and in any case they will not entertain any claims for a missing parcel until it has been 'missing' for at least 28 days.
From: Carolyn Clark
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 3:56 PM
Subject: Thanks for the copy
Just to let you know...I intend to contact this customer on your behalf...if you have any issues re this please let me know and I'll hold fire.
Regards
Carolyn Clark
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: david@289register.de
To: Parcelforce Worldwide
Date: 19 June 2000 14:31
Subject: Re: Contact us?
Dear David Stickley
Was I meant to contact you?
Regards,
David Butcher
From: Parcelforce Worldwide
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 3:41 PM
Subject: Re: Contact us?
David
I think one of my colleagues must have accidentally sent you just my 'signature' without any text, as I was in Ireland on the 16th.
Any e-mails that come to us from outside the UK are dealt with by another colleague, Carolyn Clark, and I do believe that she has been in contact
with you following your earlier e-mail.
I can fully appreciate your frustration with this matter and we are able to offer a tracking and follow-up enquiry facility on our Express services to
Germany. If the sender was to contact us, either by e-mail or by telephone (0800 22 44 66), our International Enquiry team would be able to check
the delivery and initiate further searches & enquiries here and in Germany if necessary.
Of course, if you are able to obtain the parcel reference number, we will do our best to check & advise you.
Regards
David Stickley
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Cc: Parcelforce
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 3:26 PM
Subject: Intent to issue Small Claims Court Warrant
Steve,
I fail to see how giving me, or Parcel Force, a tracking number which Parcel Force issued to you when they collected my parcel will 'serve to
confuse the matter', and the tracking number does speed the investigation - that is EXACTLY why tracking numbers are issued and normally used
to TRACK MISSING PARCELS!
So what you are saying is - you entered a contract with me to send a parcel by 48 hours delivery, which was allegedly collected on June
2nd (and for which I paid you 25 ukp), and I must now wait at least until June 30th before you can do anything about
this!
THIS IS A PATHETIC EXCUSE, but you did not seriously expect me to accept this?
I have now taken legal advice in this matter. You are in Breach of Contract (failure to supply goods and services), and as such, I intend to proceed
with this matter in the Small Claims Court. You have 10 days from today to respond in writing, after which I will initiate proceedings against
yourself
a) for the money I paid to you in full (123,80 ukp)
b) compensation for not being able to attend the Annual 7 Meeting in an appropriate car
c) any additional costs (over 98,30 ukp = DM314) that I incur in having the parts that I ordered from you on 15th May (and that you
have failed to date to supply) manufactured locally
d) the costs of the Small Claims Court proceedings in this matter (upwards of 80 ukp)
Yours,
David Butcher
From: F27SteveP@aol.com
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: Intent to issue Small Claims Court Warrant
You obviously do not understand plain English. I told you that Parcel Force already have the tracking number and the matter is being dealt with by
them. I did not say that I could do nothing for 28 days. Ask Parcel Force about their ruling on when a parcel is deemed to be lost. I have also
spoken with our Company Solicitor and you are quite welcome to proceed with any action you like but at the end of the day our obligation was
discharged when the goods were consigned to Parcel Force and once they decide if it is lost or not then any question of compensation is limited
to their standard terms and conditions and will have to be taken up with them. I have to say I am not impressed with your attitude and suggest that in
future should you require any further parts for your car you make your own arrangements for their transportation or as you suggest get them made
yourself.
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Cc: parcelforce@parcelforce.co.uk
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 2:27 AM
Subject: Intent to issue Small Claims Court Warrant
Steve,
If you indeed sent the parts on June 2nd as you claim, then Parcel Force are to blame for this incident, and I will be seeking due compensation
from them instead. Needless to say, I will also owe you a sincere apology.
However, if you were prepared to pass on to me the tracking number that I have requested several times, I could establish within seconds (from
the Parcel Force Internet Web Site) when the parcel was collected, and where it is now (we send over 50 parcels per week from our office via
DHL and a local courier, of which about 1 in 200 arrive late, but we keep our customers informed and trace the item ourselves, and pass on the
tracking number if our customers request it - this is what we call SERVICE). The fact that, even to date, you have refused to give me this
information, suggests strongly that you have something to hide from me?
Please forgive me if I am jumping to conclusions, but this is only the second time I have ordered anything from yourself, and the first order did
not run particularly smoothly either. If you remember, I ordered front springs on 8th March (also sent via Euro 48), which eventually arrived on
31st March (collected by Parcel Post on 27th March), and were completely wrong (9" long x 200 lbs/in instead of 12" long x 150 lbs/in).
Although this was your mistake, I paid half of the shipping costs (8 ukp) to you (but do not remember receiving any form of apology from you),
and obtained the correct springs directly from AVO.
I have learnt my lesson, and as you suggest, will not order any more items from yourself. Indeed, since you are now in Breach of Contract (having
failed to supply the items in this order within ca. 48 hours from June 2nd, for whatever reasons yet to be established), I no longer wish to accept
the goods in this order, and will arrange to have the damaged parts made up locally. I insist that the 123.80 ukp I have already paid is to be refunded
in full within 10 working days from today (i.e. in plain English, before 4th July 2000) into my UK bank account; details are as follows;-
Bank: Citibank
Branch Code: 30-00-45 or 30-00-00
Account Nr.: ........ or ........
If this money is not transferred in full within this deadline, you will leave me no choice but to persue this matter in the Small Claims Court against
yourself.
Yours,
David Butcher
P.S. Know anyone who wants to buy a second-hand Formula 27 wide-body V8? One careful, one not-so-careful owner!
From: david@289register.de
To: parcelforce@parcelforce.co.uk
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 2:24 AM
Subject: Missing shipment from Steve Porter
Dear Carolyn,
Please keep me posted via e-mail on any developments in this matter. We are going on holiday to Spain from June 21st until July 10th (not in the
Formula 27 as originally planned, because we still don't have the parts!), so all will go quiet from me for a while.
Regards,
David Butcher.
From: Carolyn Clark
To: f27stevep@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 10:22 AM
Subject: Re Mr D Butcher
I've recently been contacted by Mr Butcher concerning a parcel you've posted to him in Germany. Unfortunately I am not in a position to help this
customer as he is unable to give me the parcel number.
I would therefore be very grateful of you could forward this parcel number to me in order that I can assist both parties in their efforts to locate this
shipment.
I await your reply...
Regards
Carolyn Clark
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: Carolyn Clark
To: f27stevep@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2000 3:41 PM
Subject: Losted
Thanks for contacting us with your parcel number. I've checked with our export enquiry section who've been looking into the whereabouts of this
parcel. Unfortunately they've found no trace of this parcel with either our Euro 48 agent or our EMS partner. This parcel has now been classed as
missing and the sender (Tina) advised to claim.
Regards
Carolyn Clark
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: David Butcher
To: Carolyn Clark
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2000 10:51 PM
Subject: Re: Losted
I am now back from our holiday in Spain.
Could you please inform me on any developments since your last e-mail (included below), and is there any requirement for me to contact anyone
on this matter?
I am very keen to establish when the parcel was collected from f27stevep@aol.com, for obvious reasons.
Regards,
David Butcher
From: Carolyn Clark
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2000 3:32 PM
Subject: Your enquiry
Attn. David
This was a genuine posting and the search has now been concluded unfortunately with a negative result. Our export enquiry team could find no
trace of this shipment with either our Euro 48 agent - German Parcel or GDSK who deliver our express parcels. I recommend you contact the
senders in order to make arrangements for either a replacement of goods or a refund of costs.
Regards
Carolyn Clark
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2000 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: Intent to issue Small Claims Court Warrant
Steve,
We have now returned from our holiday in Spain, and are disappointed to note
a) that you have not refunded the monies paid
b) that there is no further news from either yourself or Parcel Force on this fiasco.
Can you see any reason why I should not now proceed with issuing a Small Claims Court writ against yourself to recover my money and
compensation?
David & Andrea (Butcher)
From: F27SteveP@aol.com
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2000 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: Intent to issue Small Claims Court Warrant
David,
A cheque refund of your money was mailed to you on 4th July, to the address you gave us. Unfortunately, since I am not responsible for the
running of the Royal Mail and Deutsche Bundespost, I cannot predict when you might receive it. The only clue they gave me was it might take 3 to
7 days but no guarantee! Incidentally I do have a proof of posting which I considered to be essential since you are in the habit of not believing what
I tell you. I trust that Parcel Force have now confirmed that my parcel to you was indeed collected on the very day I told you it had been sent. Just
as a matter of interest it seems that the problem of non delivery of your parcel is entirely the fault of the German carrier. They claim your address
is not sufficient for you to be located. The parcel was actually flown to Germany on 6th June. The address we used was the same as before:- ........
So much for Teutonic efficiency.
Steve Porter
From: david@289register.de
To: F27SteveP@aol.com
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2000 9:10 PM
Subject: Re: Intent to issue Small Claims Court Warrant
Steve,
I specifically requested that you credited the money I paid to you directly into my UK bank account (rather than post me a cheque, which even
YOU cannot guarantee will arrive), and gave you all the details that anyone else requires to achieve this simple feat. Obviously I am not the only
one who cannot understand plain English.
Unfortunately, Parcel Force have NOT confirmed that MY parcel 'was indeed collected on the very day you told me it had been sent' - they actually
stated that 'they could find no trace of this shipment', but I thank you for finally sending me some indication of what went wrong with this shipment.
The matter of compensation is still to be resolved, and on this I will be taking further legal advice. I will be in touch with you again shortly!
David (Butcher)
From: david@289register.de
To: parcelforce@parcelforce.co.uk
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2000 9:31 PM
Subject: Tracing parcel
Dear Carolyn,
I have just received the above response from Steve Porter.
Please could you confirm that the missing parcel was collected from Steve Porter / Sterling Autoparts / Formula 27 on June 2nd (or otherwise),
and comment on his allegations where appropriate. I cannot believe that the German carrier could not find our house, since our full and correct
address (as given in Steve's e-mail above) was used, and this is the first time in over 7 years that we have lived here that anyone has had a problem
finding us!
Regards,
David Butcher
From: Carolyn Clark
To: david@289register.de
Sent: Monday, July 10, 2000 11:20 AM
Subject: EE878917239GB
Attn. David Butcher
I'm sorry to hear you're still having problems with this shipment. I can't tell which company posted this parcel but I've forwarded the details from our tracking system...
Accessing Intertrak (2) ....
Parcel Number : EE878917239GB
Service = GERMANY EMS
Country = GERMANY
Tracking Events ...
Date: 02/06/2000
Time: 18:29
Details: Posted / Collected (GLOUCESTER LD)
Regards
Carolyn Clark
Parcelforce Worldwide
From: David Butcher
To: Formula 27 Owners Club Mailing List
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2000 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: F27 V8 for sale
Hi all,
After a very frustrating two months attempting (and failing) to get a lower wishbone assembly from Steve Porter for my Formula 27 V8, I have
ordered the required parts from a local 7 manufacturer (in Germany), and hope my F27 will finally be back on the road within a fortnight. Although
Steve appears to have sent the parts only 19 days (!) after I ordered them, the courier service then lost the parcel; however,as a direct result of
Steve's charming manners and reluctance to help me in this matter, I have decided to replace the F27 with a Westfield or Rush V8. Further details
of my F27 etc. are on my web site; if anyone is interested, please contact me via e-mail - all offers (sterling or DM) will be seriously considered.
Regards,
David Butcher
I then contracted VM Fahrzeugbau in Bergisch Gladbach (manufacturers of the VM 77 Lotus 7 replica) on 7th July to manufacture a
new wishbone assembly for me, using the damaged LHS and undamaged RHS units as a pattern. This was later fitted by Reifen Thiebus in Neunkirchen
(click here for further details of this disaster) , after which the long (and expensive) search
to find the optimal front spring length and rating continued. Steve's recommendation of 12" 200 lbs/in gives almost zero ground clearance and is
hopelessly solid (I lost control of the car on the first outing with these springs on the Bottrop slalom, see above). 12" 150 lbs/in is not much better,
and 14" 120 lbs/in is still way too hard. I have finally settled on 14" 90 lbs/in - some ground clearance, a comfortable ride (is that possible
in a 7?) and excellent handling, allowing the benefits of such a superb car to be fully enjoyed. Maybe I should keep the beast after all ?!
From: Bill
To: David Butcher
Sent: Thursday, November 28, 2002
Ref: Steve Porter!
Hi David,
Not quite sure where to start here so best if I introduce myself first; My name is Bill Edwards and I run a small company
building kit cars. I am the southern UK agent & builder for the F27 & agent for YKC. I am sorry that you have experienced
such a problem dealing with Steve Porter, but unfortunately it appears you are one of many. To bring things up to date,
Steve no longer has control over the F27 car. He still owns the company, but the manufacturing rights now belong to YKC (Don
Burt, Yorkshire Kit Cars). So it seems your prediction was right!
As you can appreciate Don & myself now have the problem of marketing the car in the shadow of much bad publicity and
problems experienced by other owners and builders, but none the less have great faith in the car and are determined to
overcome these obstacles. (I have only just been made aware of your website by a customer of mine, who also owns an F27 V8,
so you may already be aware of these changes.)
I would very much appreciate an attachment being put to your web page stating that the '@rsehole' no longer has any
connection with the manufacture or sales of the F27.
The car is still readily available in many guises. If you still have your F27 and need any help or parts in the future - for
any kit car - from the UK, I would be only too happy to help.
Regards,
Bill Edwards
So, sourcing a complete kit, any spare parts or simply obtaining good, courteous service for all the various Formula 27
models should no longer be an issue. Excellent news indeed !!! But if the above e-mail from Bill Edwards was true, why was I
able to take the following photograph on the YKC stand at the National Kit Car Show at Stoneleigh May 4th 2003 ....
.... which clearly shows none other than Steve Porter on the left, who was chatting to Paul Mills (also from Formula 27) and a
potential customer (cut off from the right side of this photo)?
Hence I sent the following e-mail to Bill Edwards ....
From: David Butcher
To: Bill
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003
Ref: Steve Porter "no longer has any connection with the manufacture or sales of the F27" !
Hi Bill,
I was looking forward to meeting you on the YKC stand at Stoneleigh yesterday, instead of which I photographed none other
than that Mr. Porter on your YKC / Formula 27 stand - or perhaps Porter wasn't trying to sell cars, but was just making a
guest appearance and taking all day to decide whether he could afford to buy one of your cars?
Unfortunately, it seems that your statement in the earlier e-mail to me contains about the same level of accuracy as those
that I received from Mr. Porter, and I have amended my web site page accordingly.
Regards,
David.
.... who promptly replied ....
From: Bill
To: David Butcher
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2003
Ref: Steve Porter "no longer has any connection with the manufacture or sales of the F27" !
Hi David
It seems that you have fired the bullets without having a target!, As I have experienced the same problem with the new owner
IE not getting parts when prommised In fact not getting parts at all, I have now ceased all dealings with the Company
Formula 27.
Regards Bill............
From: David Butcher
To: Bill
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2003
Ref: Steve Porter "no longer has any connection with the manufacture or sales of the F27" !
Hi Bill,
I certainly had a target, but it looked as if you were still involved with him, so I apologise to you for my earlier e-mail.
I hope that you have more success with your current venture .... and I will amend my web site page accordingly.
Best regards,
David.
I received the following statement from Don Burt of YKC on 15th December 2003 ....
YKC SPORTS CARS LIMITED
Elvington Industrial Estate,
Elvington,
York YO41 4AR.
Telephone: 01904 608899
Fax: 01904 608894
Email: don.ykc@virgin.net
Web Site: www.ykcsportscars.co.uk
Manufacturers and Suppliers of Hand Built Motor Cars
15th DECEMBER 2003
David Butcher
Our attention has been drawn to your web site featuring the F27 range and the problems you have had dealing with Steve Porter.
In it you allege that there is a financial link between Steve Porter and ourselves. This is not the case.
In July 2002 we purchased the rights to the trademarks, designs etc of the Formula 27 range of cars. In doing this we had the right to
purchase certain parts from Steve Porter and the only financial arrangements we have relate to the purchase price agreed and the purchase
of parts form Steve Porter.
Apart from selling the F27 range to ourselves Steve Porter is not, and never has been involved with YKC Sports Cars Limited other than
that of supplier and customer.
YKC Sports Cars traded as Yorkshire Kit Cars (owned by Steve Himsworth) for some eleven years until it purchased the rights of the
Marlin Roadster when it became a limited company and I became a shareholder. We subsequently changed our name to YKC Sports
Cars Limited. In 2001 Steve Himsworth sold his shares to me when he left the company to pursue other interests. Martin Griffin, of
Trust Electrical joined us to run the company on a full time basis and we now operate Trust Electrical as our internal wiring loom and
performance products division.
We have operated as a limited company for eleven years and have a reputation for quality products at realistic prices and have been
selling our range of cars very successfully. The reason we purchased the F27 range was to save time and money on developing our own
"7".
You show a photograph of Steve Porter on our stand together with Paul Mills, who also has nothing to do with YKC. WE had allowed Steve
Porter to put an engine on the stand as he was attending the show on our behalf to introduce us to existing customers.
You also have a comment from Bill Edwards that he also had trouble getting parts from ourselves. We supplied him with an exhaust
manifold that he was to fit to one of his customer’s cars. He never fitted it and left Cobden motors when he fell out with his partner.
Our relationship started when Bill Edwards asked to be our Southern Agent but the only order placed was for the afore mentioned
exhaust manifold.
We would therefore appreciate it if you would amend your web site to show that:
A. You are unhappy with your relationship with Steve Porter.
B. That there is no relationship between Steve Porter and ourselves other than the one of our purchasing the rights to
the F27 range.
C. That YKC is a reputable company and that customers can order from us with confidence.
It is a pity that you did not consider it worthwhile to check your facts with us before you have blackened our name to
potential customers. Indeed if you had discussed it with people who are aware of what is happening in the trade, such as
Steve Hole, Ian Hyne etc you would have been given a very different picture.
Yours faithfully,
D.E. Burt
So, I have amended my web site as requested - but Don, as a long-standing member of the Kit Car industry, you must have realised the
amount of hostility that Steve Porter has drummed up by shafting so many of his customers over the years, so when you decided to get
into bed with someone like this, surely you must expect some of his bugs to bite you, whether justified or not !!!
It appears that Don Burt of YKC sold the purchasing rights for Formula 27s to Peter Allen of
Image Sports Cars in February 2005.
Further Correspondance with others affected by Steve Porter
Unfortunately, I also received an e-mail from the Formula 27 V8 customer that Bill mentioned in his e-mail above, who claims
that he has "been the victim of a massive con by edwards regarding work that he was given by Porter to do on my car.
I am sure that the two of them are working together so be very careful, and i can only advise that you avoid edwards like
the plague because he is a conman and i now have to take him to court regarding the state of my car".
----- Original Message -----
From: Alex Barr
To: David Butcher
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 5:47 PM
Subject: f27.....
hi david,
i was browsing the cobra owners club forum as i do and my eyes immediatly picked up on the name 'steve porter'. i, like your self, and many others,
have also been shafted on a biblical scale by this chap its good to see he's no longer about in this industry!
hope your f27 is not causing you any more grief, i had to sell mine!
alex
----- Original Message -----
From: David Butcher
To: Alex Barr
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 9:23 PM
Subject: f27.....
Hi Alex,
Unfortunately, Steve is still the owner of F27 (if no longer MD on paper), and seems to be very actively involved with YKC, so I don't see that
much has changed in the last few years.
At least with VM77 (who manufacture a 7 kit based on the Dax Rush) we have found an excellent source of any parts - made to order cheaper
than the price Steve quotes, and completed quicker than Steve can deliver - and with a friendly smile. Also, they are only 25 miles from here,
so we can still enjoy the F27, safe in the knowledge that any parts can be obtained.
Having said that, I am looking to sell the F27 V8, but only to make space in the garage and help finance a dream - to buy an FIA (probably
MGB ?) race car to take part in historic saloon car racing.
Best regards,
DaveB.
----- Original Message -----
From: Alex Barr
To: David Butcher
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2003 9:40 PM
Subject: f27.....
hi again dave,
well i basically got accused of being the one responsible for him losing his business. trying to build one of his so called 'complete' kits was
like trying to get blood from a stone, the whole saga lasted about 4 years or so, solicitors involved etc etc, got my money back though! was
good to see him on the other end, sweating for a change!
hope your dream idea goes well
alex
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Davidson
To: David Butcher
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 5:20 PM
Subject: Porter
Hi David,
Just read your tale of woe concering the @rse(hole).
I have to confirm everything you have surmised about Mr P, though fortunately for me I didn't suffer nearly as much as you. The lower leading
arms sheared on my F27 V8 a while back, ahead of a journey to the Stoneleigh show. In good time I called Mr P who assured me that the
replacements would be available with him at the show. I duly made my way to the man and was singularly unimpressed with his stand offish surly
manner. I perserved - I forced a handshake out of him when I introduced myself fully (more or less had to pick his arm up for him). Then he
said he hadn't got the parts, they'd have to be remanufactured and also told me the links had been revised. I said "so what, I'll take the
later type and I'm sure I can adapt to suit".
I waited. Another call to him was placed and he said he couldn't supply what wouldn't fit!!! I said again that this was *my* problem and please
send the parts, and supplied my credit card details again. He phoned back two days later to request the credit card number again!
The parts arrived 14 days later, with no paperwork. As this was being expensed through my business I needed a full VAT receipt, and I was at
least entitled to the VISA receipt. Needless to say that 18 months later I am still waiting. The only mods I needed to do were to redrill the
mounting holes larger and to fit thicker bolts - no problems.
I never did join the F27 Owners Club here but spoke to some "hardcore" members whilst at Stoneleigh - they all said the same thing
of Porter, that he was at best a difficult "low reactor" to deal with.
I think this is at the core of the problem - he seems so socially inept that I find it difficult to see how he functions at any normal (business or
otherwise) level.
I have enjoyed the car, and now wish to sell it for reasons of change rather there being anything wrong with the car. Unfortunately I suspect
that there's any Porter and YKC bad press around to put a lot of buyers off. Did you manage to sell yours?
Incidentally when I realised YKC had "taken over" I breathed a sigh of relief. I emailed them to obtain a parts list, and wished them
luck overcoming the bad Porter momentum. If there are still ties with him it would certainly explain their surly response and grudging posting
of a parts list.
BTW I too found the front spring rates to be OTT as supplied!
Counter-intuitively I have softened the dampers to their most compliant setting and this has reduced the "bucking" to almost
nothing. However, as I use the car to commute on the roads I have had to set the height 1" higher than when the car was bought. My sump
skid pan kept bottoming out on cornering!
