Special Edition Vehicles - -gmmg officially bankrupt-

Well someone had to say it!

http://www.cobbsuperiorcourtclerk.org/scripts/courtscv.dll/CivilDetail?caseno=09112654

Will they be remembered for their work notably the 2002 ZL1 or will everyone associate them as a aftermarket company making hi performance cars using GM models. It seams every one is making special edition cars these days.

I also noticed that GMMG cars have been going for less and less as the years go by. Maybe I am mistaken but that is what I have observed.

Furthermore, when the true new 2012 ZL1 was unveiled yesterday at the Chicago Auto Show, there were so many flashbacks explaining how the original ZL1 came to be in 1969 with the help of risk taking GM dealers sneaking special stuff through the back door. The was no mention of GMMG's 2002 ZL1 and GM clearly states that after 42 years the iconic legend is back totally dismissing GMMG's ZL1's as a production GM car effectively placing them in the aftermarket realm.

GMMG seamed different because they used as many stock GM parts as they could in their cars to effectively offer the same warranty from GM. Furthermore, you could go to a select few Hi-Performance GM dealerships and order your GMMG car from them which added to the stock feeling.

In the end, they were an aftermarket company that delt directly with dealerships and should never be compared with the actual GM factory which was the St-Therese assembly plant along with SLP in Lanchine at the time located in Quebec, Canada.

I feel that GMMG had the spirit of SLP which is where Matthew Murphy worked in the 90's which would explain why GMMG has that stock GM feeling. SLP on the other hand is definitely standard GM production stuff and although GMMG tried it as well on its cars, it will never archive the "Stock" product designation SLP cars and product have.

You bring up some valid points. GM is dissmissing the 02 ZL1. Maybe because it was called the ZL1 Supercar? Whatever the reason, I do know that these cars were approved by GM and had that extra something from certain dealers that were around in the late 60's and early 70's. I am sure that every camaro has dropped in value over the last few years so that doesn't suprise me that the GMMG cars are dropping as well. I personely am sick of all these Mustangs and Camaros being whored out to make a buck based on the 60's. The specialness is gone to me. I think in time the GMMG cars will be looked at kindly in history.
They will certainly out perform the 2001-02 SLP camaros at the auction block. Time will tell but if your an F-body fan these GMMG's are the ones to have regaurdless of collectibilty.

____________________
02 Year One Blackbird #4 380HP

Well said Mr. Simon. I could have had a (SLP) Firehawk but I wanted something "special". I was one of the lucky that had my Firehawk order messed up by Southern GM in Shelbyville, TN and after seeing all of the hood bubbles and flaking chrome (on the wheels) I got over my loss. I started hounding Matt in mid-2004; asking questions when I would find a Blackbird, 35 Year Anniversary Edition or a YearOne. I saw some pretty good deals come and go, like the number 19 of 19 35 Year car. It was in Montgomery, Alabama with 9800 miles on it and a asking price of $23,900 and I let it go. I also passed on the only red Formula YearOne car (besides the red prototype), on the lot at Jacky Jones Pontiac. I had my heart set on a convertible and waited until I could get the very last Blackbird built - a Collector Edition converted in August-September 2008. I bought the car brand new from the dealer in late August 2008. Matt picked it up for me in his trailer, transported it to GMMG, modified it and delivered it to me on October 13, 2008. I am the only owner of my GMMG car and although it only has 945 miles on it I am very happy with my decision. I am thinking about selling it in the spring, just to do something different, nothing to do with GMMG's woes. If/When I sell, I may lose my butt - I didn't buy her as an investment. Regardless, I am proud to have been a part of something special.

The future value if these GMMG cars will be determined by how desirable they will be from fans of the 4th Gen F-body cars. I personally still love the 4th Gen's and would be willing to purchase these in the future assuming I'd have the wallet to do so.

Wth the new fuel mileage standards I would think LS based 427's and 454's will be the "new" HEMI 20 years from now.

Rumor is the C7 vette is going to be 5.5 liters. If I had a GMMG car I think I would hold onto it for at least 5 more years. Big cubic inch factory sponsored cars are going down the drain quickly.

The Dick Harrell cars will always be the ultimate 4th gen IMO. If I ever find myself in a position to own one, it will be done :drool:

The Dick Harrell cars will always be the ultimate 4th gen IMO. If I ever find myself in a position to own one, it will be done :drool:

They are definitely something to behold! The concept Penske #6 was GM's last hurra concerning the 4th generation. GMMG asked and got the opportunity to make more productions of those bodies.

Imagine if they were to actually become factory stock...

I just took a look at GMMGINC.net and the site is still up for now. It seams to be the only thing left.

Maybe Matt will rise from the ashes!

Somebody must still be paying for the GMMG site to be up?

http://www.gmmginc.net/

Or maybe its just waiting till the prepaid contract is up.

I just took a look at GMMGINC.net and the site is still up for now. It seams to be the only thing left.

Maybe Matt will rise from the ashes!

Somebody must still be paying for the GMMG site to be up?

http://www.gmmginc.net/

Or maybe its just waiting till the prepaid contract is up.

Yeah...I'm still paying for the site to be up:ripped:

Matt Murphy, GMMG, Inc, GMMG.

Rise from the ashes, my a$$. He needs to go work at Sears Automotive, or Pep Boys.

To bad, I am glad I sold my ZL1 after hearing this.

I dont know if i can speak for anyone else? But i would take the Dick Harrell GMMG camaro over any new camaro....or ANY camaro for that matter. It cant get better then how that car looks! I would do anything to own one! RIP GMMG ive always admired them!

^^^^I AGREE.... but GMMG should sell their DH fenders to us. Sad!

In the end it's sad to see what happened to Matt & GMMG we will never know the whole truth as to what happened there are always two sides to a story (normally the middle is more realistic)

What set apart GMMG from the rest was

1. Availability of the cars (limited number of dealerships)
2. Upgrading cars from stock to different levels
3. 99% of the parts not available to the public (badges, decals, ect..)
4.75%-80% of the parts used were OEM GM parts not aftermarket
5. Some of the most heavily documented 4th Gen Cars on the planet including the Camaro White book Vol.1 & Vol.2


Do I believe these cars will be worth some $$$ down the road YES, they were all limited production, excellent documentation, and the best of that era no questions asked. IMHO if GMMG goes under and is no more this will make the cars even more valuable down the road 10+ years. To compare a GMMG car next to a SLP SS or Firehawk is non-sense they are not even in the same league.

As for the ZL-1 Super Car from GMMG the reason why they were not mentioned in the SLP or GM ZL1advertisising is that the GMMG cars had to carry the “Supercar” name so in reality they were never a true ZL1 in the sense the could bear the name ZL1 alone they had to be called the ZL1 Super Car.

Sean

Well put 01pewter2001z28.

I recall a ZL1 going for like 90K or something at barrett jackson a few years back. So they will definitely be worth some cash money in the future

Documentation sets these cars apart. These cars are COPO's= GM approved upgrade. Not an aftermarket afterthought. BTW there wouldn't have been a 4thGen SS without Matt. SLP would have originally had to call their cars Z28-SS. It was Matt that got GM upper(Top) management to get the legal department to clear the SS's.

That is a real shame. So much for doing my phase 2 upgrade. :bang:

Smokie87,

If you ever decide to sell your GMMG convertible, please let me know. I currently own a '02 Blackbird, car #32 and would like to add a convertible all original GMMG ragtop to my collection. I agree with everyone that the GMMG cars will uphold their value in the future. How many other cars have car numbers, door dog tags and matching numbers marked on the cylinder heads of the engine. Plus for those that met Matt Murphy and got the original paperwork you will be glad you did. Like they say documentation / paperwork can bring 15% - 35% more money to a true collector.
I dealt with Matt and met him in person and he was very helpful and knowledgeable about his cars. He and his cars will always hold much respect with me. Long live the GMMG car heritage!!

Regards,
Matt Phillips

That is a real shame. So much for doing my phase 2 upgrade. :bang:

Not a problem, send it to Vengeance Racing. They are doing a 496 stroker motor on my 7000 mile Tom Henry car.

Mike and Ron were the original people at GMMG, there guys now how to make horsepower! Check them out on facebook.

yea but no paper work stamped heads nothing.... if all we wanted was a fast f-body i think we could have all found a cheaper route... but we got our gmmg cars to be a part of a fortunate few who could get there hands on and upgrade theirs through gmmg so would it keep its value by doin outside upgrades idk to me it becomes just another fast f-body IMO

yea but no paper work stamped heads nothing.... if all we wanted was a fast f-body i think we could have all found a cheaper route... but we got our gmmg cars to be a part of a fortunate few who could get there hands on and upgrade theirs through gmmg so would it keep its value by doin outside upgrades idk to me it becomes just another fast f-body IMO

I've got to agree with you. If the work wasn't done by GMMG what's the point.

Trust me, the GMMG cars are not worth a lot now compared to what people paid for them years ago, everybody and there brother produces aftermarker muscle cars ie. SLP ZL-1. The production of this car destroys the value of the GMMG ZL-1 and the horsepower is only getting better with the introduction of the 2010 Camaro!, futhermore these cars have NO race history compared to the 1960's and 1970's Camaro's.

The next best thing to GMMG is having Vengeance do any and all of your upgrades, someone sometime is going to have to work on your GMMG car for some reason or another so to me Ron and Mike are the perfect people who do things right the first time and don't jerk you around like GMMG did. I also think if all the GMMG owners align ourselves with Vengeance Racing it will only help with keeping the value up on our cars. GMMG will somehow merge with Vengeance Racing down the road.

As far as some people thinking their car will go down in value by letting someone else do any upgrades to the car, who cares. My Tom Henry cars is probably only worth 25K on the market, however it has all the best equipment on it and is a B4C COPO so it makes sense to turn that Camaro into the baddest GMMG car ever. Unfortnalty the GMMG cars are never going to fetch the price of muscle cars of the 60's and 70's again they have no race history, so at this point you might as well use them and enjoy them. Don't get me wrong folks I love these cars however you have to be realistic on what these cars are worth and will be worth in the future.

It is a sad day indeed. No matter your opinion of Matt and/or GMMG it is unfortunate to see a company with such a rich history close shop. GMMG was and more than likely always will be known for producing some of the baddest/most powerful/most sought after 4th generation F Bodies of all time. Matt was able to work closely with GM and made things happen no other shop could dream of.

I spent 5 years at GMMG and saw first hand what went into these builds and the "uniqueness" of a GMMG built Camaro. I also saw the dedication Matt put into each build to ensure the end result would exceed the customers expectations and live up to the high standards GMMG was known for.

I cant say that I honestly know what the GMMG cars will do as far as value in the future. There are hundreds of "tuner shops" out there all producing "packages" for these cars. I dont think one of them holds a candle to what GMMG was able to accomplish with GM as well as others such as Valerie Harrell/Dale Earnhardt/Helen Gibb and many others. The cars hold a special value to alot of folks and were built in honor of and in memory of legends from our past. While some might consider it nothing more than slamming a badge on an 02 Camaro, others know the importance and the symbolism of the build. Obviously having been a part of GMMG for so many years it would be my hope these Camaros do continue to rise in value. Only time will tell.

My thoughts on upgrading GMMG cars varies depending on the customer... If you drive your car and use it as it was intended I do not feel modifying it going to hurt it in anyway. If your GMMG car is in a capsulated bubble somewhere and you plan to unveil it in 2050 with 5 original miles on it then I would probably hold off on any modifications other than what it originally came with.

That being said, I have talked with MANY GMMG customers over the past few years while at Vengeance Racing. We have serviced/maintained quite a few of these vehicles and we have upgraded a dozen or so as well. To some, the importance lies in knowing that your GMMG car is in trusted hands and will be treated as if it were still at GMMG. On that note, there is no better shop than Vengeance Racing. Both Mike Carnahan and myself played a very large role in the production of these Camaros and I do not feel anyone in the country knows them any better than the two of us.

FWIW, I have mentioned to Matt that if he would ever consider it we would be honored to work with him to provide upgrades specfic to what GMMG offered in the past while he provides the documentation to support said upgrades. Matt has not accepted/nor declined this offer. Maybe at some point Vengeance Racing will be the "authorized" service/upgrade facility for all of our GMMG Camaro owners out there.

As mentioned above, while are not "authorized" to provide documentation on these vehicles we are more than happy to offer any maintenance/upgrades/service we can to ensure your GMMG Camaro remains the best that it can be. For those of you like ZL-1 #14 who want to take the plunge and take things to the "next level" we are MORE than capable of that as well. In the coming weeks you will see a very detailed build featuring Dougs GMMG Tom Henry Camaro being fitted with a 500 cubic inch small block as well as many other supporting modifications.

Matt, if you stumble across this please know that the Camaro community is forever indebted to you for what you have done and what you have accomplished. Mike and myself would love to continue to support your dreams as well as all of your customers dreams by offering the services discussed above.

Ron Mowen
Owner
Vengeance Racing

Well said Ron. Anything else is speculative pure bull shit.

I just took a look at GMMGINC.net and the site is still up for now. It seams to be the only thing left.

Maybe Matt will rise from the ashes!

Somebody must still be paying for the GMMG site to be up?

http://www.gmmginc.net/

Or maybe its just waiting till the prepaid contract is up.

The way websites work is they stay up until your hosting contract and/or domain name expires. Pretty much whichever expires first.

GMMG cars will hold their value in my opinion. They are the only aftermarket f-bodies with any sort of major documentation concerning production information and options. Even Callaway Camaros don't have that. Mechams do to some extent, but they didn't make many of them, and don't have any published production numbers to my knowledge. The rest of the aftermarket Camaros and Firebirds lack, essentially, a pedigree. The Avanti conversions might have some, but I don't know, as they were a Firebird conversion and I don't follow Firebirds.

The GMMG Camaros and Firebirds will remain collectible, interesting, and cool for decades to come with or without GMMG. It's just such a shame that Matt's business hasn't been doing so well the past few years. He did manage to give the 4th gens the last HURRAH they really deserved.

I really like what Ron said! I have talked to them about upgrading my car and would have nobody else touch my GMMG Blackbird based on there expierience with GMMG cars. If Matt ever comes on board with Vengence and provides documentation my car will be heading to Vengence immediatly!

________________________
02 Year One Blackbird #4 380HP

I'm confused about the posted link for bankruptcy. I can't access it from over here(limits of my satlink), however bankruptcy is a federal filing not local. Also what I can see of it is that it's a civil suit between two parties. It also seems to list the two plaintiffs as vs each other and Matt/GMMG named as a 3rd party defendant.

Good discussion going on in here! :)

Vengeance is the de facto GMMG. Maybe Matt will come along one day and make it a reality. As far as what happens to Matt, it has little or no effect on the cars he built. They will stand on their own. Look at the Yenkos and Yenko was shuttered decades ago. There is no correlation at all between the builders demise and the cars he built.

cant believe i missed this one. sad to see them go :(

I supposed the market pressure of the 2008-2009 recession might of had a role in GMMG's undoing. It seams logical that projects like building a higher performance limited edition car would have a greater possibility of being placed on the back-burner for most people during the recession and even still now. I know that besides building special edition cars, they did regular shop work as well but maybe that stream of revenue was not enough to support them.

I can personally say that I was getting confused as to what went in to all their performance upgrades which they called "Phases". It seamed that they had phases from I to V sometimes with X's in them furthermore adding numbers to them. Besides the numerical number designations, they had people's names like Earnhardt and Harrel as well as model names like Intimadator and ZL1 on top of having dealership names like Tom Henry and Berger plus having magazine cars like Hot Rod. I know I'm only scratching the surface and it is very confusing if you are not an enthusiast. I am and I am still confused. Its a good thing we have the GMMG Registry to help sort through the all these special edition cars.

On a positive note while looking back on GMMG, its end put a cap on the creation of new models, upgrades, phases, designations putting an end to the madness and allowing the cars that do exist to appreciate and grow in value over time with no more saturation effect being present.

GMMG was the shit IMO:nod: and besides putting out some bad ass phase #ed cars ,,,actually had one of the nicest sounding and looking exhuast that you could possibly buy and put on the F body (Hands down) Im sure these stainless chambered exhaust that were like $900 new, will now be going for big money as did the discontinued SLP CME exhaust tips and valances

I feel bad for Matt and his employees, however his reputation has been tarnished to the extent that I dont think anyone would ever bring their high dollar GMMG car to him for any type of modifcation, even if he said he was back in business.

I believe it is time for all GMMG owners to move on with our hobby, either sell you GMMG car or find another speed shop to do your work on these great cars.

If you think these cars will be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in the future, then dont touch it for 30 years, or like me just go out and enjoy them, then in 30 years restore it to it's original condition.

Unless Matt finds someone to invest $500,000 dollars in GMMG INC. I think it's a done deal friends. His only other option is to merge with someone like Vengeance Racing.

I don't think we can deny that Matt was an honorable business man and inovative. IMO Matt is responsible in great part for the resurgance of interest by GM in very fast camaros. ( Remember GM was finishing with the camaro when Matt was creating great very fast camaros including the 427 cars ). Personally every transaction I ever had with him on both my ZL1 and Hot Rod was clean with no bs. Unfortunately he was dealing with a lot of very tough things at the same time. Including a divorce, loosing his two best men, a very weak economy, health issues and the fifth gen camaro.

I've been watching this post since Feb. 10th & no-one has come up with an 'official' (or unofficial) bankruptcy document yet. Why?

Do you really have the facts right of just think you do?

Where are you getting your information?

How do you feel about all this?



It is all a matter of public records. :judge: Maybe you weren't looking closely enough....and since you insist....

The civil case makes reference to the bankruptcy filing under pleadings dated 10/27, 10/29 and 11/03.

Additionally, general bankruptcy information may be found at www.PACER.gov (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). You will need an easily obtainable UserID to access the case under Georgia-Northern-ECF. Run a query under name or business and History will show all the documents filed.

As for my personal feelings on this......:bang: LOL!

Edit..Nevermind.

I just read through all of the court docs for the lawsuit in those docs and as off 9/12/11 gmmg was ordered to pay almost 84k to the people who sued him:bomb: I hope matt surfaces after all this b.s anyway. Besides if it wasnt for matts vision for 4th gen f-bodies most wouldnt be curious to how much there car is worth or saying there glad they sold it. There wouldnt be cars to worry about.:bs:

I just read through all of the court docs for the lawsuit in those docs and as off 9/12/11 gmmg was ordered to pay almost 84k to the people who sued him:bomb: I hope matt surfaces after all this b.s anyway. Besides if it wasnt for matts vision for 4th gen f-bodies most wouldnt be curious to how much there car is worth or saying there glad they sold it. There wouldnt be cars to worry about.:bs:

Ouch!

If he would still have one brand new 2002 ZL1 PHASE III lying around, then he could pay it off one shot. Those cars sold brand new for 80K-90K... back then but forget about it now

I wounder if there is any new news on GMMG? Where is Matt Murphy? Is he in jail or something, he has not released any statement to the community about the whole thing.

I have gotten his home number and left a message but he has not responded? I know he had gotten himself into trouble but nothing serious. Thats the last i have seen of anything current on him.

What a shame, Matt was a true supercar builder. He will be missed. :(

I know he had gotten himself into trouble but nothing serious.

Does this have something to do with Teresa Earnhardt?

Does this have something to do with Teresa Earnhardt?

Not as far as i can see. Why what did you hear about that?

Absolutely not. Where would that come from? Just because he built some cars for them and with their name on them?

A little late, but can someone just explain to me what the law suit was about. After seeing the pics on the site, I would die for any of those Fbodies

Absolutely not. Where would that come from? Just because he built some cars for them and with their name on them?

How can you be so sure? What are the names of the people Matt was ordered to pay the money to?

Absolutely not. Where would that come from? Just because he built some cars for them and with their name on them?

Is this regarding the unauthorized use of the harrell name?

What new projects were going on over the past two years? None. No money coming in. How was it to stay open? The second round of GM Performance cars never got approved.

Not as far as i can see. Why what did you hear about that?

You are a known GMMG Car Wannbe attemping to build a FAKE Tom Henry SS Car. Since you stated you have Matt's home phone number, please post it here so everyone can send him words of encouragement.

You are a known GMMG Car Wannbe attemping to build a FAKE Tom Henry SS Car. Since you stated you have Matt's home phone number, please post it here so everyone can send him words of encouragement.

Please do not post any phone numbers. If his real phone number were to be posted, then that will be grounds for this thread getting locked. I'd rather not do that since it has been going good for so long without too much bashing.

Scott

You are a known GMMG Car Wannbe attemping to build a FAKE Tom Henry SS Car. Since you stated you have Matt's home phone number, please post it here so everyone can send him words of encouragement.

Dude you need to stop beating a dead horse and get over it. Yea im building a tom henry car that will be just as good as the original. As for his number my words of encouragement to you are: NOT GOING TO HAPPEN so grab youre box of kleenex tissues and cry the fact out im building my car! Now i dont know if you own a "real" GMMG car but clearly if you want me to post his number up here so people can call and give Matt a hard time then clearly you dont have a ounce of respect for him. I am not or will not post that info so dont ask.:eek2:

How will it be as good as the original? Do you have the proper badging?

This guy bloombox1 is a real loser...

It will not be as good (because it's not real) and you're not building a Tom Henry, you're just building a clone. I am not sure why you have such an interest in Matt and GMMG? You don't own one of his cars and you don't plan to be part of that history or community either. Do your gene pool and everyone else a favor when your in beat '98, mash the gas pedal and plow into a tree.

Is anyone still manufacturing the GMMG exhaust? Last I heard, which was many months ago, someone else had picked up production of the exhaust.

This guy bloombox1 is a real loser...

It will not be as good (because it's not real) and you're not building a Tom Henry, you're just building a clone. I am not sure why you have such an interest in Matt and GMMG? You don't own one of his cars and you don't plan to be part of that history or community either. Do your gene pool and everyone else a favor when your in beat '98, mash the gas pedal and plow into a tree.

Im the loser wtf is (your in beat 98) is that even english? Besides sounds like someones running short on the tampax you might want to pick some up! Besides werent you selling your car anyway? So why do you give a shit? I swear some of the people on here not all but some like jackass380 over here need to get a life and get over it! So do your gene pool a favor and get youre manjina removed! Also when i mash the gas i know how to drive i dont drive around like you with my skip shift light always flashing! Thats unless you cant handle three pedals and six gears in which case maybe youre cars a auto. Lifes to short for that. Finally as for the plowing into something say hi to youre mom for me.:pimp:

How will it be as good as the original? Do you have the proper badging?

Yes i do i bought real gmmg items that were extra pieces.

An internet tough guy with mommy and daddy issues is amusing. Still didn't answer why you have such an interest in GMMG? Are you trying out for the new fast and furious movie with your "ranting"? Post some pics up of this awesome car of yours, we all could use a good laugh.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays all.

Is anyone still manufacturing the GMMG exhaust? Last I heard, which was many months ago, someone else had picked up production of the exhaust.

Mad Hammer Exhaust
http://madhammer.com/pages/mad_hammer_prod_82-02_cama.html

We have three systems in stock. Feel free to call if we can help you out.

That's it Ron? BTW Merry Christmas from you pal the owner of a dog named Bo....

Extra GMMG pieces such as? Hope you aren't in possession of any stolen property.

Come on guys just let it go if he wants to build a TH 380 clone let him who really cares this is no different than the hundreds if not thousands of clone Copo ZL-1’s going around. It’s obvious this guy really likes the GMMG TH car so why are bashing the guy all he asked for was for some information on the car and also where to buy parts for his car. He has already said the car will be a clone IMHO no need for the name calling or bashing just let it go. I am pretty sure he already said he is not going to pass it off as a real Tom Henry car and those who know what the car is know these cars were only available in 2001 & 2002 and he has a 1998.

if they sold the dh fenders there company would make a killing, i know i would be first in line for a set

wow bloombox after reading some of your post your a jackass

Guys, come back to the topic at hand. We are discussing the late GMMG's downfall from one of the leading and visionary LSx performance shops to what has become a shady, mysterious and abrupt bankruptcy.

Maybe they concentrated so much on tuning their F-bodies that they forgot to tune their balance sheets.

My question remains; Who are the names of the people that Matt allegedly owns some huge amount of $ to?

Guys, come back to the topic at hand. We are discussing the late GMMG's downfall from one of the leading and visionary LSx performance shops to what has become a shady, mysterious and abrupt bankruptcy.

Maybe they concentrated so much on tuning their F-bodies that they forgot to tune their balance sheets.

I think the people that do know what happened are not going to post it up on a forum (just my $.02). It may be one of those things that when everyone looks back on it, there's going to be a variety of opinions, stories and ideas of what happened. Honestly as much as I would love to see GMMG back in business and making awesome cars, this will probably be a good thing for the values of our cars in the future. If you could buy a Yenko in every year from '68 to the present would the '69 Yenko's and such be as highly coveted and valued as they are? Something to think about....

I think the people that do know what happened are not going to post it up on a forum (just my $.02). It may be one of those things that when everyone looks back on it, there's going to be a variety of opinions, stories and ideas of what happened. Honestly as much as I would love to see GMMG back in business and making awesome cars, this will probably be a good thing for the values of our cars in the future. If you could buy a Yenko in every year from '68 to the present would the '69 Yenko's and such be as highly coveted and valued as they are? Something to think about....

Definitely, by blocking the creation of more current and future GMMG cars, the value of the ones currently on the market will stabilize and retain more of their current value. In the future, GMMG cars will inevitably become like Yenkos, Motions, Danas, Baldwins and so on.

Furthermore, GMMG going bankrupt put a much needed cap on their modifying of returning GMMG customer's cars. For example; customers bringing in their Phase II to make it into a Phase IIx, from a Phase III to a Phase V and anything in between. It was getting ridiculous and impossible to follow, the parts changed along the way in a certain Phase for example and on top of that their head cam combos changed as well. It took a guy like Jim to start the GMMG registry to make some sense of the aftermarket mess GMMG created. The idea behind the phases was perfect but their execution of them in the real world was anything but.

i would have loved to see gmmg 5th gens

Well I suppose that they were having financial problems as far back as 2008 in order to declare bankruptcy at the end of 2010/the beginning of 2011. So it makes sense that Matt could not begin to start projects with 5th generation Camaros and that's why GMMG never even offered one part for 5th gens even if the were around till the beginning of 2011, 1 1/2 years after 5th gens came out.

It took a guy like Jim to start the GMMG registry to make some sense of the aftermarket mess GMMG created. The idea behind the phases was perfect but their execution of them in the real world was anything but.

I'm grateful to Jim for the registry, but it was technology that made the phases hard to track. ie Phase II Head/cam kits available in 03 would make say 125 extra horsepower vs head/cam kits available in 06 that cost the same money and were the same amount of work to install put out 175 extra horsepower. In order to keep track of cars with the additional horsepower he called them Phase IIx. So yes, maybe hard to track for the general public, but once you understand the logic behind it they start to make sense. So in that respect it looks as if he did the best he could because of advances in technology.

The http://www.gmmginc.net/ website is still up even after 2 years of being bankrupt... is Matt planning to rise from the dead or what?

Definitely, by blocking the creation of more current and future GMMG cars, the value of the ones currently on the market will stabilize and retain more of their current value. In the future, GMMG cars will inevitably become like Yenkos, Motions, Danas, Baldwins and so on.

Furthermore, GMMG going bankrupt put a much needed cap on their modifying of returning GMMG customer's cars. For example; customers bringing in their Phase II to make it into a Phase IIx, from a Phase III to a Phase V and anything in between. It was getting ridiculous and impossible to follow, the parts changed along the way in a certain Phase for example and on top of that their head cam combos changed as well. It took a guy like Jim to start the GMMG registry to make some sense of the aftermarket mess GMMG created. The idea behind the phases was perfect but their execution of them in the real world was anything but.

GMMG did more to keep the flame going on the camaro marque than did GM for the seven years of dormancy between gens. The problem was Matt lived in the 4th gen moment, and did not plan on life after them. It did turn ugly in the end, desperate people do desperate things, but thanks to people like Jim there is a now a caretaker of records for these very special cars.



Intimidator SS # 20
Signed, 35 miles

Guys, come back to the topic at hand.

EXACTLY! Please stop the bashing of each other.

Gmmg will be sought after but to compare them to a real yenko, berger, nickey....nope not me

Gmmg will be sought after but to compare them to a real yenko, berger, nickey....nope not me

Didn't GMMG do what Yenko, Berger and Nickey did in the 60's? Take production cars, 'enhance' them and offer them for sale to the public? Its well known that if a Yenko owner took his car to another GM dealer for warranty work, it would be denied.

On the other hand, all of the phase 1 GMMG cars could be taken to any GM dealer in the world for warranty or recall service and the factory warranty would be honored. I'd say that was foreward thinking by Matt/GMMG.

Didn't GMMG do what Yenko, Berger and Nickey did in the 60's? Take production cars, 'enhance' them and offer them for sale to the public? Its well known that if a Yenko owner took his car to another GM dealer for warranty work, it would be denied.

On the other hand, all of the phase 1 GMMG cars could be taken to any GM dealer in the world for warranty or recall service and the factory warranty would be honored. I'd say that was foreward thinking by Matt/GMMG.

Not sure about warranty work back in the 60's (Although Royal Pontiac's Bobcats were only dealer warrantied), but yes, any GMMG phase I car had full factory warranty (All mods were done pre-dealer delivery). And, like most of the dealers mentioned above, Matt made sure his cars were all COPO documented, unlike all the performance shops now that will upgrade your car, once dealer delivered, and most likely void your factory warranty.

Yenko, berger and nickey were dealerships that built their cars in-house
gmmg didnt....u can compare a gmmg to these classic icons...jmho

Yea but in the 60's I'm sure they had no Idea those cars would be what they are today I think in 30 years it could be a similar story. They will be a peice of history regardless. to try and guess how much they will be worth is pointless it depends on where the industry goes.. IMO they are kind of focusing on tryin to make Camaro's sort of hybrid to luxury/performance these days so if they shy to far away from the original platform.which is stream line I mean face it before the 5th gens who really bought their SS because it just rode so damn good.... So the 4th gen could very well by my generations (I'm 22) 69 yenko or somthing comparable. Not bashing on the 5th gens what's so ever I think they are good cars but this is about GMMG 4th gens so it's just my .02 cents. My self personally I got my intimidator to be a part of that history and enjoy the car hopefully keep it in my family for years to come. Didn't really do it for the numbers game.

Yenko, berger and nickey were dealerships that built their cars in-house
gmmg didnt....u can compare a gmmg to these classic icons...jmho

Okay..................using your example..............what about the Baldwin Motion cars?

As I'm sure you're aware....................Baldwin Chevrolet teamed up with Joel Rosen of Motion Performance and these "Baldwin/Motion" cars became very collectable. Is this not the same as Tom Henry Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet or Berger Chevrolet sending cars to GMMG for modification?

From the Motion Performance website:

Like any other dealer, Baldwin Chevrolet sold cars to the public. These are NOT motion cars. Only cars that "got the Motion Catalog thrown at it" became Motion cars, and were invoiced as such. Again, there were Motion cars, and there were Phase III cars. Not every Motion car had the Phase III treatment.

Not all cars modified by Motion Performance were delivered through Baldwin Chevrolet, (especially after Baldwin Chevrolet went out of biz). Stand alone Motion Performance Automobiles are generally called Conversions.

Cars such as this were also built by other well known conversion shops such as Dick Harrell Performance in Kansas City Missouri & Bill Thomas Race Cars in Anaheim California.

Every Motion car was invoiced and delivered out of Baldwin Chevrolet until the dealership was sold around 1972. After 1972, cars were obtained from various Chevrolet dealers and Motion cars were invoiced out of Motion Performance. The criteria for obtaining new Chevrolets was based on the dealers ability to deliver a car in a timely manner (and I assume price was a factor too?). Remember, GM was on strike in 1972.

EVERY car came with an invoice.


I have to agree with others.......................and I know my opionion is biased since I own a GMMG Camaro..................I do think that they will appreciate in value and if they don't..................I really don't care...........I purchased mine to enjoy and I do enjoy it TO THE MAX.:nod:

Gmmg will be sought after but to compare them to a real yenko, berger, nickey....nope not me

History will relate a good % of those cars sat on lots for months without buyers- in the case of the Gibb ZL1 cars quite few of those were even returned to the dealership. Many were found out in fields and barns as they were abandoned during the fuel embargo of the early seventies- hardly collectible at the time. Now for the scant few that held on to theirs for years the tide did turn- and it put their kids through college with the profits. Did they plan it that way, or was it just a nice benefit of the passion for them?

No, you can't compare them to to dealer built cars of five decades ago, EPA took care of that dynamic long ago. However,these cars underwent federal emissions certification and were only available through a specific dealer network,fully under contract with GM. They are a homage to the halcyon days of muscle, apparentley pretty en vouge if you look how hard the big three are trying to cash in on it with current iterations of them.


Will we catch lightning in a bottle with GMMG? cars?. Plan on not so much. But..one day down the road perhaps they get "discovered" and go the way of the first gen dealer cars. The cool thing about that is, the same folks that enjoy them now and could care less about what they will be worth will be rewarded for being custodians of them, because in the grand scheme that's all we are.

I still love and repect matt and gmmg
I actually feel bad for him, poo happens sometimes..

I would LOVE to have a GMMG car :)

I still love and repect matt and gmmg
I actually feel bad for him, poo happens sometimes..

I would LOVE to have a GMMG car :)

Check out the GMMG Tom Henry # 5 car listed here in the classified section. Beautiful red, well maintained, adult driven 6-speed.

An absolute STEAL at the sellers asking price....Man up and stick your foot in the radiator for the thrill of an original GMMG.

His loss = your gain.

TH car #5 was sold yesterday and on it's way to Chicago as of last night. Going to miss it!... Awesome car and going to a good home along side a Berger #98. Hopefully I will be able to buy it back in a few years. I think I made a mistake, but "you have to do what you have to do", I guess.

Check out this PHASE II that sold, what a deal and only 3000 miles!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-Tom-Henry-Chevy-Camaro-1LE-SS-32-GMMG-Phase-II-500hp-/120925195076?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c27b40b44

The prices of GMMG cars taking a major swan dive!

I would have to disagree. I don’t think it selling for $35k is a major swan dive. I would say it was well bought and well sold… both parties should be satisfied.

I would have to disagree. I don’t think it selling for $35k is a major swan dive. I would say it was well bought and well sold… both parties should be satisfied.

+1

35K has been the range for TH cars optioned like this for the last several years.

+1

35K has been the range for TH cars optioned like this for the last several years.

+2

If this were a DH car, then it would have been a bargain.

Purchasing a GMMG exhaust for my 00 Firehawk... Cannot wait to install!!! Rare car, rare exhaust...