General Kinetics back from the dead?

[FElony]

Remember that cam maker from back then? They had a good rep; disappeared back in the 90's, I think. OK, check this eBay list out:  https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xgeneral+kinetics+cam.TRS0&_nkw=general+kinetics+cam&_sacat=0

It seems this seller has a whole bunch of new GK sticks, with a logo that does not remind me of the old one. Upon further examination of the specs and interchange numbers, it appears that these are all Comp grinds. If you go to GK's website   http://www.generalkinetics.com/  you see that they are into a whole 'nuther thing, BUT there is an automotive aftermarket category under Products that presently has nothing in it.

The listed cams are marginally less expensive than buying Comp branded items. Speculation? Conspiracy theories? Let's hear it.

[machoneman]

Easy! Any firm could have bought the old name, likely for a song, after negotiating a trademark deal.

Heck, one could even start marketing the far, far lesser known......"FElony Cams"!

A grind from HELL!

Hah!

[Heo]

I used Cam dynamics in the 80s but they also disapeared

[wowens]

I think
Offshore crap, one companies name, another's companies grinds.

[FElony]

I think
Offshore crap, one companies name, another's companies grinds.

But then, why use a name still owned by a big company that can sue you, when the name is mostly forgotten and doesn't really offer a marketing advantage? Why does the GK website have an empty category for Automotive Aftermarket?

[FElony]

Easy! Any firm could have bought the old name, likely for a song, after negotiating a trademark deal.

See my response to wowens. I'm actually wondering if Comp is going to do an end run around fixed pricing from Summit and the other big sellers by offing cams through speedliquidators in some deal with GK. If these were blatant copies done offshore I would expect Comp to come down hard. Be interesting to see what happens.

Heck, one could even start marketing the far, far lesser known......"FElony Cams"!

A grind from HELL!

Hah!

The HELL grind is just for Chevies, and it incorporates slightly different profiles on each and every lobe of the cam. I mean, who ever checks their cam like that? It's a riot watching those guys chasing a bad tune when it's something they can never get rid of.

[machoneman]

FElony, your not thinking this through. The parent no longer makes/is interested in camshafts. They sell the rights for a defunct product line to another firm, likely with a non-compete clause on all the other 'stuff' they make an sell. No competition, no muss, no fuss and both parties get something...money in one case, trademark/advertising right in the other. Easy-peasy!

Who actually manufactures the cores, does the grinding, heat-treating, finishing, etc...who knows!

I think
Offshore crap, one companies name, another's companies grinds.

But then, why use a name still owned by a big company that can sue you, when the name is mostly forgotten and doesn't really offer a marketing advantage? Why does the GK website have an empty category for Automotive Aftermarket?

[Barry_R]

Lunati bought the remnants of GK decades ago. 
Comp bought Lunati a decade or so ago.
Thus Comp has the rights to the GK name.
Looks like Comp is using their Speed Liquidators excess inventory line to push GK as a discount brand.
Not a terrible strategy, and not nefarious in any way.

[FElony]

Lunati bought the remnants of GK decades ago. 
Comp bought Lunati a decade or so ago.
Thus Comp has the rights to the GK name.
Looks like Comp is using their Speed Liquidators excess inventory line to push GK as a discount brand.
Not a terrible strategy, and not nefarious in any way.

See, exactly what I said 

[shady]

Put a GK in my El-Cammode in the '70s & with no other changes went from a 15 sec car to a 13 sec. car. 

[wowens]

I think
Barry and Felony are telecommunicating, 2 exact answers.
They must be correct.

[jmlay]

“nefarious”, big word of the week. Now, how may I use that one tomorrow?

[Tommy A]

I used Cam dynamics in the 80s but they also disapeared
[/uote]   Heo, cam dynamics was bought by Crane that's when they went mia..........Tom

[FElony]

“nefarious”, big word of the week. Now, how may I use that one tomorrow?

Yes, but you must email me a cheesburgr as royalty.

[wayne]

Lunati bought the remnants of GK decades ago. 
Comp bought Lunati a decade or so ago.
Thus Comp has the rights to the GK name.
Looks like Comp is using their Speed Liquidators excess inventory line to push GK as a discount brand.
Not a terrible strategy, and not nefarious in any way.

See, exactly what I said