SAFIR GT40 Spares, owner of the GT40 Trademark, does not participate in discussions as a company on the GT40s weblog, however, we have enjoyed watching the vibrant social/technical communication directed at discovering and maintaining truthful information on this historic vehicle. At this time SAFIR GT40 Spares, Limited does wish to comment and clarify recent posts on this web site in order for GT40 enthusiasts to continue enjoying the “honest” exchange of information.
Peter Thorp
Peter Thorp, a well-respected British gentleman, has been involved with motorsport for most of his life. On March 6, 1975, Peter incorporated UK Company number 01202724, and named it SAFIR Engineering. SAFIR Engineering has had many accomplishments over the years including the formation of a race team which competed in Formula 1, as well as producing the Mk V GT40 in concert with JW Automotive Engineering.
Safir Engineering, run by Peter Thorp, was truly a distinguished Company.
Dissolution of Safir Engineering
Prior to the dissolution of company number 01202724 (Safir Engineering), all assets were removed. Body moulds, casting patterns, inventory, the GT40 trademark, etc. were all transferred to US Company Safir GT40 Spares, Limited. In order for the original company 01202724 (Safir Engineering) to have continued, this company would have to have been purchased as a share transfer sale prior to being dissolved. There was no such share sale, and therefore the UK Safir Engineering, which was so very instrumental in perpetuating the GT40 legend, was dissolved. Closing the company ends liability, and ensures that there is a final handshake with the tax man. Safir Engineering officially dissolved November 2001.
Andrew Komosa’s “New Company”
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/gt40-cars-sale/38586-original-style-monocoque-spares-sale.html
Neither Peter Thorp nor Safir GT40 Spares, Limited has had any dealings with Andrew Komosa.
At present there are more than ten SAFIR companies registered and operating in the UK. In April of 2012, eleven years after the real Safir Engineering was dissolved, Mr. Komosa started another UK Safir company, number 8041125, and added the word “Engineering” in an effort to mislead people into believing that his new company is somehow connected to the original Peter Thorp, Safir Engineering.
It is not.
It is obvious that Andrew Komosa felt that the GT40 community would associate the good will and reputation created by Peter Thorp with his new copy-cat company. This attempt to take undue credit on the twenty five years of Peter Thorp’s accomplishments is disrespectful and dishonest. The GT40 community deserves better than this.
Andrew Komosa’s “Tennant Style Chassis”
Andrew Komosa is on record trying to sell a tenant style chassis; “the authentic style as used by Tennant Panels during the 1980s”. As most members of the GT40s site are aware, Safir GT40 Spares, Limited maintains a close relationship with Superformance and Hi Tech Automotive through our licensing agreements. As such, we at Safir are most confident in that which we have learned during our pursuit to determine the origin of this chassis. We are confident that this chassis was built by Hi Tech Automotive for Superformance.
Prior to Superformance launching their licensed GT40, two prototypes were built to resolve the details of manufacture. The first chassis was fully built into a roller and shipped to the USA. There were numerous areas in need of improvement, and in several details this chassis was not correct. Hi Tech/ Superformance had this car returned to the factory and removed from the market. The customer was then supplied with a correct replacement.
The second prototype chassis had the same deficient issues as the first, but was not used to build a car. In addition to the same issues, this second chassis had several superfluous holes that were drilled in order to fine tune the location of the air conditioning lines. This bare chassis remained in stock until Hi Tech/Superformance moved from Cape Town to the new modern production facility in Port Elizabeth. Rather than move this less desirable chassis to the new plant, it was sold with several bits for a very low price. We at Safir are confident that this is the chassis that Andrew Komosa is attempting to sell.
Buyer Beware.
Andrew Komosa’s offer to sell a GT40.
Mr. Komosa cannot use the GT40 trademark.
Andrew Komosa’s offer to sell a GT40 Mark VI.
Several years ago, Safir GT40 Spares legitimately built and registered GT40-P-1149, doing so as a Safir GT40 Mark VI. This chassis is recorded in the World GT40 Registry, and is properly registered for the upcoming publishing of GT40 records.
Ford built a wonderful car, and maintained excellent records. Professionals such as Ronnie Spain and Greg Kolasa (World Registry) have dedicated much of their lives in maintaining an honest, accurate GT40 history. There are credible associations around the world celebrating the factual history of this great automobile. We at Safir are very disheartened as we see Andrew Komosa as a self-serving pretender changing the truth for his own benefit and profit.
Safir GT40 Spares,
Bob Wood Brady Pack John Sadler
Peter Thorp
Peter Thorp, a well-respected British gentleman, has been involved with motorsport for most of his life. On March 6, 1975, Peter incorporated UK Company number 01202724, and named it SAFIR Engineering. SAFIR Engineering has had many accomplishments over the years including the formation of a race team which competed in Formula 1, as well as producing the Mk V GT40 in concert with JW Automotive Engineering.
Safir Engineering, run by Peter Thorp, was truly a distinguished Company.
Dissolution of Safir Engineering
Prior to the dissolution of company number 01202724 (Safir Engineering), all assets were removed. Body moulds, casting patterns, inventory, the GT40 trademark, etc. were all transferred to US Company Safir GT40 Spares, Limited. In order for the original company 01202724 (Safir Engineering) to have continued, this company would have to have been purchased as a share transfer sale prior to being dissolved. There was no such share sale, and therefore the UK Safir Engineering, which was so very instrumental in perpetuating the GT40 legend, was dissolved. Closing the company ends liability, and ensures that there is a final handshake with the tax man. Safir Engineering officially dissolved November 2001.
Andrew Komosa’s “New Company”
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/gt40-cars-sale/38586-original-style-monocoque-spares-sale.html
Neither Peter Thorp nor Safir GT40 Spares, Limited has had any dealings with Andrew Komosa.
At present there are more than ten SAFIR companies registered and operating in the UK. In April of 2012, eleven years after the real Safir Engineering was dissolved, Mr. Komosa started another UK Safir company, number 8041125, and added the word “Engineering” in an effort to mislead people into believing that his new company is somehow connected to the original Peter Thorp, Safir Engineering.
It is not.
It is obvious that Andrew Komosa felt that the GT40 community would associate the good will and reputation created by Peter Thorp with his new copy-cat company. This attempt to take undue credit on the twenty five years of Peter Thorp’s accomplishments is disrespectful and dishonest. The GT40 community deserves better than this.
Andrew Komosa’s “Tennant Style Chassis”
Andrew Komosa is on record trying to sell a tenant style chassis; “the authentic style as used by Tennant Panels during the 1980s”. As most members of the GT40s site are aware, Safir GT40 Spares, Limited maintains a close relationship with Superformance and Hi Tech Automotive through our licensing agreements. As such, we at Safir are most confident in that which we have learned during our pursuit to determine the origin of this chassis. We are confident that this chassis was built by Hi Tech Automotive for Superformance.
Prior to Superformance launching their licensed GT40, two prototypes were built to resolve the details of manufacture. The first chassis was fully built into a roller and shipped to the USA. There were numerous areas in need of improvement, and in several details this chassis was not correct. Hi Tech/ Superformance had this car returned to the factory and removed from the market. The customer was then supplied with a correct replacement.
The second prototype chassis had the same deficient issues as the first, but was not used to build a car. In addition to the same issues, this second chassis had several superfluous holes that were drilled in order to fine tune the location of the air conditioning lines. This bare chassis remained in stock until Hi Tech/Superformance moved from Cape Town to the new modern production facility in Port Elizabeth. Rather than move this less desirable chassis to the new plant, it was sold with several bits for a very low price. We at Safir are confident that this is the chassis that Andrew Komosa is attempting to sell.
Buyer Beware.
Andrew Komosa’s offer to sell a GT40.
Mr. Komosa cannot use the GT40 trademark.
Andrew Komosa’s offer to sell a GT40 Mark VI.
Several years ago, Safir GT40 Spares legitimately built and registered GT40-P-1149, doing so as a Safir GT40 Mark VI. This chassis is recorded in the World GT40 Registry, and is properly registered for the upcoming publishing of GT40 records.
Ford built a wonderful car, and maintained excellent records. Professionals such as Ronnie Spain and Greg Kolasa (World Registry) have dedicated much of their lives in maintaining an honest, accurate GT40 history. There are credible associations around the world celebrating the factual history of this great automobile. We at Safir are very disheartened as we see Andrew Komosa as a self-serving pretender changing the truth for his own benefit and profit.
Safir GT40 Spares,
Bob Wood Brady Pack John Sadler