Streetbeasts fraud controversy

[[Image:Streetbeasts_fraud_plea.jpg|right|thumb|400px|Court documents show a guilty plea for wire fraud in a 1999 case against Classic Motor Carriages, now operating as "StreetBeasts".]]

StreetBeasts is a notorious manufacturer of street rod kit cars with a lengthy history of fraud. In June of 1999, the owner of StreetBeasts (at the time, operating under the name "Classic Motor Carriages") pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and was ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution.

Besides "Classic Motor Carriages", StreetBeasts has previously operated under the names "Auto Resolutions", "Classic Auto Replicas", "Fiberfab", and "Innovative Street Machines".

Recently, representatives from StreetBeasts have been making the rounds of automotive forums, using similar tactics to conceal their history of fraud, and threatening those who inform the public of their deception with frivolous legal action and financial ruin.

In 1994, the Florida Attorney General's office filed suit against Classic Motor Carriages, on behalf of hundreds of defrauded customers, in ''USA v. GGL d/b/a Classic Motor Carriages''. ("GGL" stands for George G. Levin, the owner of Classic Motor Carriages). For the relevant court documents, see: [[Media:Streetbeasts_fraud_charges.pdf|Streetbeasts fraud charges.pdf]] and [[Media:Streetbeasts_judgement.pdf|Streetbeasts_judgement.pdf]].

George G. Levin eventually pleaded guilty in the case in summer of 1999, and was ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution. Shortly thereafter, sales plummeted, and Classic Motor Carriages was evicted from its headquarters. Around the same time, Levin re-opened the kit car business under a new name: "Auto Resolutions" (later changed to "StreetBeasts").

According to this court document: [[Media:Streetbeasts_allocution_motion.pdf|Streetbeasts allocution motion.pdf]], "GGL's fraudulent scheme necessarily included as an intricate part the silencing of its critics".

"What is even more despicable is that GGL knew that Rado was dying of cancer but continued to pursue him with motions and notices of trial and other pleadings, one such notice of hearing being served within days of brain surgery."

"This has been turned over to our attorney, and you will be contacted if not already, I don't think you have enough equity in those cars you own to withstand a Civil Liable lawsuit , if I were you Id pull the plug on this thread immediately and walk away, and remove the Wiki site from your main page , let people find it on their own"

In addition, StreetBeasts threatened the Hotrodders.com administrator with legal action and financial ruin. In [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/questions-jgk95-144132-2.html#post1011502 this post on the Hotrodders Bulletin Board], StreetBeasts impersonated Curt Scott, a previous StreetBeasts whistleblower. Apparently unaware that forum software logged the post as originating from the exact same IP address as previous StreetBeasts posts, the following forum post was made:

"Ive been down this rode already Jon , you need to put your ego aside and drop this constant pursuit on Streetbeast, they will sue you and take everything you have , The owner has deeper pockets than you and this whole hotrodding site put together , your on the way to getting yourself in alot of trouble you probably dont want or need, rumor has it ,its already started, good luck pal"

These forum posts were an attempt at producing what is known as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilling_effect_(term) Chilling effect], the suppression of free speech with fear tactics.

In [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/streetbeast-rod-kits-13109-42.html#post1012355 this post], a StreetBeasts representative said: "after the investigation they concluded that no economic fraud was committed so no indictment was made".

Following Classic Motor Carriage's conviction for wire fraud, George G. Levin, the owner of Classic Motor Carriages, simply reopened under another name, "Auto Resolutions" (later changed to StreetBeasts). Despite the fact that both companies were owned by the exact same person, StreetBeasts representatives have been attempting to portray themselves as a company that "bought" Classic Motor Carriages, and, as a result, were unfairly saddled with their reputation.

In [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/streetbeast-rod-kits-13109-20.html#post1004818 this post], a StreetBeasts representative said: "we bought the molds and equipment from CMC".

In [http://www.twoguysgarage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85 this post on the Two Guys Garage forum], a StreetBeasts representative said: "We are not Classic Motor Carriages. Innovative Street Machines purchased the molds and tooling they used. This is an understandable mis-identification on Terry's part, since the products are so similar, and we are in the same state, but it simply is not true."

After being notified of the creation of this wiki article to document StreetBeasts's history of fraud, StreetBeasts representatives edited this article in a blatant attempt to cover-up the exposure of their ethically questionable actions.

First, StreetBeasts representatives edited the article to include "customer testimonials" of extremely questionable authenticity, including [http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/index.php?title=Streetbeasts_fraud_controversy&diff=8106&oldid=8099 one edit] which hilariously included the following text:

"I ordered a kit from streetbeast 5 years ago and have been paying on the layaway plan, last year I had about $2000 left to pay and was diagnosed with cancer, those saints at streetbeast forgave what I owed and shipped my dream car (34 Coupe) right away so I could build and drive it with my wife before I passed, God Bless Street Beast"

Ironically, the person who originally blew the whistle on Classic Motor Carriages, Stuart Rado, was dying of cancer. Despite this fact, Classic Motor Carriages literally pursued him to his grave with frivolous legal action in an attempt to silence him. In [[Media:Streetbeasts_allocution_motion.pdf|this court motion]], the court document stated that Classic Motor Carriages "knew that Rado was dying of cancer but continued to pursue him with motions and notices of trial and other pleadings, one such notice of hearing being served within days of brain surgery."

Below are photographs of a Street Beast on the left and steel 1934 Ford on the right.  Although some may say that the differences in the two are subtle they actually are substantial.  Perhaps the first noticeable difference is the grill.  The Street Beast grill does not even try to emulate the original.  Another major difference is the roofline. The Street Beast is chopped but has the front lower than the rear which creates a very mis-shaped window.  Also the hood sides are stylized and not even close to the original.  Finally the biggest difference is that the Street Beast is a one-piece body compared to the original steel version on the left.  This means that none of the major parts made for the original car such as hood, fenders, doors, trunk lid, running boards, grill, glass, or windshield frame will fit the Street Beast. None of these parts made by any of the aftermarket manufacturers will fit either.  The customer is "LOCKED" into returning to Street Beast for any repair parts and is therefore at the mercy of the company for not only price but delivery time for their needed parts.  Also, because the body is one piece a damaged fender can't be simply unbolted from the car and replaced with a new one.  The surgery involved is much more complicated and expensive.

===Poor resale value===

On their website, StreetBeasts claims that their bodies are "pretty close" to the originals, but then goes on to state that "Street Beasts parts generally do not interchange with parts on original steel bodied cars".

The main difference in building a kit car is that the parts are supposed to be designed to work together, which eliminates the guesswork during assembly. Kit cars are also to include detailed assembly instructions. Before purchasing any kit car, get a copy of the instruction book, and read it carefully.

Before buying any kit car, research the company's history, BBB complaints, legal problems, product qu

ality issues and anything else that might be important. Slick advertising can make any company look good, but there is no substitute for an educated consumer.  

*http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2006-03-02/news/a-beastly-background/

*http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Roundtable/Archives/Year_2002/February/121.php