Just returned from a gun show at Grayslake, IL. Encore had one of thier
mutt's there. They are not out of business, in fact he said they are making
12 vehicles a day right now. The guy that had the unit there is a regional
representative who's job it is to get a dealer network setup, sounds like
what Hummer did. They have a dealer in the Chicago area and another one in
the works as well as one in the works in Milwaukee. SInce this guy was
covering the midwest, and since there was alot of action about the vehicle
I wasn't able to find out what is going on nationally.
Someone mentioned prison labor. The orignal company started out with that,
a welfare to work program, but it failed. They regrouped and incorporated (
a full 'C' corp instead of the original non-profit 501(c)3) and now have
operations in Clearwater FL.
We asked several ways, several times about cost and the guy just would not
talk about it. Kept telling me to call him or the dealer already
established in Chicago.
As to the vehicle..... It is what you would expect from trying to reproduce
a mutt body from sheet steel using only simple brake equipment. Some welds
almost have the look of being stick welded. I'm not a welder by trade but I
can mig better than some of the welds I saw. It looks like EVERYTHING other
than the unit-body tub is stock M151 stuff. He said they 'remanufacture'
everything. I doubt that they would actually rebuild the engines, etc. but
it does come with a 1 yr warranty. Despite my critisism, I wouldn't mind
having one, if the price was right. Keep the good gi mutt for those special
occations and drive one of these as a daily driver. But not knowing cost I
have to reserve any further judgement and/or opinions.
I asked about any problems with DOD and/or DOT. He said they meet all
requirements, I'm guessing that the rops setup is standard equipment. They
got around air bags by getting it classed as a kit car.
They have a number of slick color brochures which I grabbed. If anyone is
interested try calling the guy:
Charles Pickerill
Regional Representative
Encore Vehicles, Illinois
630-993-1533
630-832-6076 fx
800-510-5568 voice mail
Encore151@aol.com email
je
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