Tailgate
 

I would like to know if anyone can recommend a good brand of tailgate for a 1950. In the past I used Mar-k and was very happy with it, but they are no more. I also got a different brand once that didn't look good or fit, but that was many years ago. Thanks.

Re: Tailgate
 

I'm in the same quandary. I was figuring on ordering a Mar-K front panel and tailgate but that isn't going to happen now.

Goodmark had a good reputation for years.

I don't know what sheetmetal Wes at Classic Heartbeat sells now but he is usually good at only selling the best sheet metal he can find as he also uses it in his shop.

The Filling Station is 100 miles from you, it might be worth calling them and asking if they have one in stock and what brand it is. I'd for sure make sure that they had one in stock that they could put their hand on before driving up there though.

Re: Tailgate
 

https://www.goldenstarauto.com/produ...u-tailgate-gmc

The website sucks but when you call them, they are super helpful.

Re: Tailgate
 

They (Golden Star) seem to have stepped up their advertising lately.

Re: Tailgate
 

Try Summit Racing, Classic Industries, or LCM just to name a few!!!!

What happened to Mar-K?

Re: Tailgate
 

Mar-k closed. I know places to buy, I would like to know if there is a brand to buy or stay away from, reviews. The last few I bought were Mar-k, and they were very nice. I got 1 from Classic industries years ago that was junk, it was 3/8 inch to wide, ends were not welded in correct. I don't remember the brand, but there customer service was great. Speedway has Dynacorn with good reviews, but only 8 of them. Some at Summit don't have any reviews.

Re: Tailgate
 

I'd still call the Filling Station and ask what brand they had and if they actually have one in stock. If you have a rig that gets decent fuel mileage a lunch stop will cost more than gas The rub is that they aren't open on Saturdays.

Re: Tailgate
 

I have kids in school and sports so going out of town during the week isn't easy. Maybe I will one day when school lets out, only 3 weeks left.

Re: Tailgate
 

Kid/family and work schedules do hinder things at time. Having been retired for 6 years I tend to forget that at times.

Re: Tailgate
 

No kidding, the Mar-K story is so sad, darn it! I have gotten everything I need thank goodness but for others, darn it!

Brian

Re: Tailgate
 

I'm not sure what went on with Mar-K but have to believe that the money got stuck in someone's pocket and the bills didn't get paid. Something was real fishy with the guy who was CEO as he bailed on them almost in the middle of the night and took the management job for the Corvette Museum in Boling Green and when Chevrolet got wind of what happened with Ma-K they canned him on the spot.

Re: Tailgate
 

Sad that there are people like that.
I have known a few people who had an employee doing payroll and stuff like that who stole from them. One, was at a dentist office and within the first two months of her employment she had stolen over $60k! My sister-in-law caught it happening and fired her then went through the numbers because they had insurance for $60k. Just about 6 weeks into the scums employment she had taken the $60k so they didn't even look further. Geeeez.

Another was the owners daughter at a shop I worked at! She was doing payroll and taking all the pay that employee's were putting into a savings account, geeeez. It was the best job and the best team I ever worked for in my life. That BEACH was NOT like her mom and dad and brother who ran the shop that's for sure! She was fired and a wonderful lady can in and added to that great team I worked with. They paid back all that was taken to everyone of course.

Brian

Re: Tailgate
 

Embezzlement by an employee has put a lot of businesses out of business. A big orchard operation in this area caught the two women who did payroll creating fake employees for one of the outlying orchards and got busted when both were gone on vacation at the same time and one of the company managers printed out the payroll and when the manager showed up to pick up the pay checks and went through them he told the boss that I don't have these people working and never did and it didn't take long to figure out that they were fake employees.

Re: Tailgate
 

This one sounds like a drug or maybe gambling problem behind the embezzlement. Who know? I suppose there is always the "bad seed" excuse but more times than not there is a reason someone behaves so dramatically different than their parent or sibling.

I just did a quick "ChatGPT" search asking about Mar-K and found out what's been posted above. Since I "finished" my '55 back in 2017 (to the degree they are EVER finished!) I'd had no more dealings with Mar-K but when I used them they were good and reliable. Sad to destroy a company that WAS functioning and (I assume?) profitable.

Re: Tailgate
 

The company name is still registered but there's a story...

David Hill bought Mar-K in 2016.

Hill ran for Congress and lost in 2020.

Offerd job as CEO of National Corvette Museum March 13.

Accepted job as CEO of Corvette Museum on March 17 this year, planning to move to KY

Closed Mar-K with no prior warning on March 21 with unpaid bills and unpaid employees.

Tossed out of NCM on April 9.

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...ceo-david-hill


Additionally Mar-K initiated a trademark infringement lawsuit in May, 2020 which was not concluded until October, 2023 and may not have netted any financial compensation for Mar-K.

Defendant from prior case files against Mar-K in December 2023. Case dismissed April 29 2024.

Mar-K received a $27,500 grant in 2023 to expand business from OK state program.

Have to dig deeper for any more news.

Re: Tailgate
 

WOW, is that a wild story!


Brian