Hennessey V700 CTS-V Sport Wagon Runs the Texas Mile

Alright Magrath, I'm calling you out on this one. Nothing personal, you're just the guy who happened to be on the clock when my limit was reached.

Why do you guys continually promote Hennessey? It's been well documented, including in major automotive publications, like Car and Driver, that this guy has a history of shady behavior with his customers. He's been sued repeatedly, not only by his customers, but by various suppliers, etc. (this is public record).

He got his start in the Viper modding business and burned his bridges there so bad that he has become "He whose name shall not be spoken". He's a documented e-thug on places like the Jeep Grand Cherokee forums, threatening people with physical violence.

So again, I ask you, why do give this guy so much publicity? Does a good PR agency trump a history of deceit and just plain being a dick?

Agree completely with church123 - Magrath seems to be a paid retainer or a dumb f* who hasn't read enough. Here's some homework journalist: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f58/wow-john-hennessey-crook-yeah-viper-guy-34744/

I don't have any personal experience with the guy or his company. So this is just my take as someone who reads most print and a decent amount of internet automotive press, now, in 2006, and when Henessey made his first national apperance in C/D with his Mitsubishi 3000GT. The "crook" allegations, as seen in the GM inside news link above (which I think is a copy of a C/D column), are both murky and old - early 2000s if I recall correctly. Modifying cars takes time, getting parts takes time, and miscommunications and misunderstandings take place all the time in that world. I had a recent dealing with a very reputable shop in which they ordered the wrong engine, a short block instead of a complete crate motor, and then requested more money above the quoted price to be paid to complete the build on the shortblock. Turned out the employee placing the order just screwed up, saw a shortblock that cost about the same as the crate and ordered that. It took three phone calls and a week to fix it, and fix it they did with the crate motor at the quoted price, but had I not taken that action I'd could be the guy suing or complaining on the internets.

Now since this time I haven't heard or seen any complaints of note from Hennessey customers. The company seems to have expanded since their Viper focused days, and if they were actually screwing people you would think you would be hearing about allegations from today, not from 2001.

ttopjohn says:

"It took three phone calls and a week to fix it, and fix it they did with the crate motor at the quoted price, but had I not taken that action I'd could be the guy suing or complaining on the internets. "

And that's the problem. What if you are not mechanically inclined and got screwed over by a "mistake"? Imagine going into Bestbuy thinking you bought a Samsung 3D LED TV only to find out you actually got a Sansui.

But church123, obviously Hennessey and a number of tuners are sponsors (advertisers) of IL. Everyone's got to find a way to keep the lights on.

To be clear, that was not Hennessey, it was a shop that shall not be named because they produced a fantastic end result in a reasonable amount of time. I think of dealing with a tuner as similar to dealing with a contractor building or renovating your house. You have to be very specific about what you want if indeed you want a very specific result. And you have to stay on top of them. And it always takes longer than they quote. Doesn't mean they're a bad contractor, as long as your satisfied with the end result and price. It's just the nature of a custom project.

"Hennessey 'gets it.'"

I don't think he "gets it" at all. The guy is a notorious a**hole and his products are crap.

WOW...I had some spare time so I read the links to forums listed above.....Now I see where church123 is coming from. It is horrible that IL should help out such a miserable person as JH. It would be nice for IL or MM to show some intestinal fortitude and at least explain the decision to post stuff about Hennessey. Thanks to church123 for the heads up.

+1 for church123's comments.

I've been modding cars since the mid 90's and Hennessey's reputation is well known in the modding world.

Yes, the cars that are shown on blogs like this are awesome, but there are literally hundreds of local shops that can do the same work, for less money with better results.

ttopjohn said: "...I think of dealing with a tuner as similar to dealing with a contractor building or renovating your house. You have to be very specific about what you want if indeed you want a very specific result. And you have to stay on top of them. And it always takes longer than they quote. Doesn't mean they're a bad contractor, as long as your satisfied with the end result and price. It's just the nature of a custom project."

Respectfully, I say nonsense. I do say that's the very definition of a bad contractor. A good contractor communicates effectively, makes sure he/she is doing what the customer wants and produces on time or updates as to why things aren't on time. Customization isn't a license to act like a jackass and take your customers for granted.

Hennessey's reputation is well know in enthusiasts circles... I'm frankly surprised it's taken so long for someone to bring it up here on IL. But kudos to church123 for doing so.