Everett-Morrison info wanted

ford*nut · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2003, 09:34 AM

I've recently registered with this forum but I have been coming to the site pretty regularly. Hopefully within the next year I will be starting my Cobra build so I'm collecting info on the various models out there. I'm very interested in the E-M. I know they are restructuring but I'm optimistic. Anyone out there with an E-M that can give me any info about their car would be greatly appreciated. Mostly I'm interested in the quality of the kit, assembly method, how it has held up after it is done, etc. Thanks!

SpitzSpitz · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2003, 09:51 AM

ford*nut, its a great car, went together well and the product support was excellant, with that said I would encourge you to move on. There are other very well made kits out there that are still in business, I personally do not expect EM to come back, I can't even get them to e-mail me back on a simple tech question. My opinion they are gone for good, I'm sorry to say. If I had to do it over it would be a super-performance for me,(if I was watching my budget). Otherwise probably an old Grouch special. The only reason I did not go that route is because I wanted to build my own car.

Good luck

Spitz

Michael C Henry · #3 (**permalink**) 01-19-2003, 11:24 PM

I have a older EM that I bought complete. It needed some romancing,they all do. The stuff I purchased from them was topnotch,just as addvertised. If they said it was SS it was.With the restructuring I'm anticapating a lot of outsourcing parts lower quality , a little cheaper for us but a lot less for them w/ higher profit margin.Not what I want. They will probably do the usual ride their old great reputation into the ground. I'm still waiting to see if they come back.My car was built in 84 . EM started in 83. They have changed several times ,moved and had a fire so records for my car are nonexistant..They worked with me to build a set of headers and sidepipes for my car. I made the front and rear bumpers actually hold against something with their parts. I have a glovebox vinyl dash cover, sidecurtains and a convertable top to install next, all bought last January before the closure.

ford*nut · #4 (**permalink**) 01-20-2003, 10:47 AM

Thanks for the info. I really like the frame design of the E-M. I live in FL about 3 hrs. away from their shop. It would have been nice to buy from a local company. I have time to see what happens with them, in the meantime I am still looking at other kits. One of the big factors for me is being able to build in stages. I really like Factory Five, even visited them last year, however they don't offer their kit in stages anymore. Shopping around is the hardest part.

Dennis Mosley · #5 (**permalink**) 01-24-2003, 12:31 PM

I love my EM. Went together great and the quality is top notch. I normally would highly reccomend (and have in the past) the car but given the lack of response from EM, I would have to agree with the suggestion that you move on. Having said that, I'm not giving my up!

Lots of great cars out there.

Good luck.

larryar · #6 (**permalink**) 01-24-2003, 03:12 PM

My EM will be done next month. I got the last body from them. My bulder, Fred Gimbel of Autovision in PA, has access to all the parts needed. Turns out, a guy who used to build their bodies is building them and also the frame. I've seen the new bodies and frames and they are even better than the originals. Fred was an EM dealer and builder, and knows the cars inside and out. He also does fantastic work, if you want a turn key car. Fred can be reached at 717-382-4312.

SpitzSpitz · #7 (**permalink**) 01-30-2003, 04:48 PM

OK ford*nut I got a reply back from EM, it looks like they will be reopening their doors very soon, with that said, my humble recommendation would be to go with them, especially since you are close, they are a great bunch of people, top notch.

The Spitz

Bumpster · #8 (**permalink**) 01-30-2003, 09:05 PM

ford*nut - Do yourself a huge favor and check out Hunter Kit Cars in Ocala. It's a small, family-run business that is flexible enough to build your Cobra any way you want it from basic kit up to turn-key. Randy is building me a turn-key with some changes from his usual design. One important reason I chose Hunter is that I am 90 minutes from Ocala and I like being that close to the manufacturer I am dealing with. The best reason was that Hunter builds a great car and he'll build mine the way I want it, at a very fair price, I might add.

Hunter's email address is: cobrahunter@earthlink.net
Hunter's website is: www.hunterscobrakits.com

I hope this helps.

Bumpster

ford*nut · #9 (**permalink**) 01-30-2003, 11:54 PM

Thanks everybody for your insights. Like I said I'm optimistic about E-M.

Spitz- I hope they open soon. I have been wanting to visit their shop for some time.

Bumpster- I took a look at Hunter's website. It looks pretty good. The only thing is I'm not too crazy about is the Corvette suspension. I bleed Ford blue.

I have been looking at some other kits out there. Antique and Collectables is looking pretty good to me. But I am still looking around. There are just so many it makes it a little tough. Factory Five has fallen a bit out of favor with me now that I have done some more research. Don't like the perky butt. I was pretty sure I was going to go with them, even have my donor. (93 Mustang GT) Now it looks like I may not be going the donor route.
Thanks again everybody!

ronzara · #10 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003, 03:44 AM

Ford*Nut,
3 years ago, I bought an uncompleted EM kit (1991 Chassis only) from a person who lost interest. I contacted Buford, Brett & Bruce at EM with my needs to finish the car. They had all the patience in the world with ALL my 1st time Cobra builder questions,... and believe me.. I had A LOT ! They were AWESOME,... Later I found a 1991 EM body about 25 mile from my house (what's the chances??) and again they were very helpful. Every part I got from them was of the HIGHEST quality built in-house. The Roll bar, for example, is a work of art. This is what set them above the competition, but priced them out of reach for the average person. I was about to go to Shell Valley for my kit, but I got lucky and found the awesome deal on my EM. .... anyway, I would recommend them to anyone. I am also glad to hear they are reopening. I still need parts, and have been VERY reluctant to buy other parts for this car, not because of FIT, but, because of QUALITY.

Good Luck

>>> I too bleed Ford Blue.

Call EM @ 813-920-0905

Bumpster · #11 (**permalink**) 01-31-2003, 05:58 PM

ford*nut - Hunter is building my car with all Ford suspension because I bleed Ford blue just like you. I just could not put Corvette parts under a Cobra body no way, no how. Since you already have a Mustang G.T. donor, you can supply the irs and add a coilover front end and you're in business. He can build the car the way you want it.

Bumpster

SpitzSpitz · #12 (**permalink**) 02-01-2003, 07:11 PM

ford*nut just wanted to chime in. EM does not limit you to coevette suspension, they also have the set up for popular ford 8.8 and 9" and also Jag rears. I am told thet they will scale that down when they reopen just not sure.

What ever you decide please go where you feel the most comfortable. I will admit, I've been on this forum going on three years and have never heard anything bad about Hunter.

The Spitz