Streetbeasts fraud controversy

StreetBeasts is a notorious manufacturer of street rod kit cars with a lengthy history of defrauding its customers. 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").

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".

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.

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".

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

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