SAI/KMP Control arms

[brentfenimore]

Hello to you all,

I must state that the issues with 700?'s car that have been pointed out on several threads and posts over the course of the past few months have not been seen on any other 7000 or 8000 vehicle produced by SAI.

The 7000 and 8000 suspension systems are identicle in design and manufacture, the 3000 and 4000 share very little if any hardware or design with either.

The vehicle in mention was the same vehicle that was returned to Kirkham and subsuquantly to Poland due to body issues several months ago.

1. The car was sold as a component roller which requires final assembly and inspection by an independant Shelby dealer, qualified builder or customer.

2. This particular vehicle was sent to Poland after delivery by SAI to the customer (shipping back to Kirkham covered by SAI), dismantled, repaired (in Poland) and returned to the customer at no expense (this is not intended to shift blame).

3. SAI requested the vehicle be returned to our plant for re-inspection in order to insure proper installation procedures were still in place prior to completion by the customer (freight to be covered by SAI), the request was denied by the customer.

4. SAI offered to have the vehicle returned by our courier at no cost to the customer after the suspension issues were found by the customer, the customer denied the request.

5. Our last request to the customer was to have the components returned to be inspected and replaced at no cost.

6. SAI has built, track and road tested over 50 of the 289 units with no failure due to design or build specifications.

7. The design is identical to the original design that was the suspension of the World Champion 289 Cobra in 1965.

I do not mean to say that we are perfect in our assembly, the car is assembled by humans and they can make mistakes from time to time, however I can state that this particular car and customer have been through a rare set of circumstances. If the Kirkham suspension has made the customer happy, we will speak to the Kirkhams and see what we can do to help compensate him on his cost of the components.

R Brent Fenimore