Factory Black-balling
Discussion
At what point does the factory disown Ultima builders, I have read a few threads where builders have been refused help because they have 'broke the rules'. What is the code of conduct that determines whether you are 'in' or 'out', is it body mods, alloys, brakes ?. Does it mean that the factory refuses any further business with you, or are you just removed from the 'party invitation list'. As a prospective purchaser I did consider using alternative components a la' Jeff Schwartz LS7, but now I'm not so sure as I might be shooting myself in the foot. Do any of you guys that have (fallen by the wayside 
) have any regrets. Or is at a case of "its my car, sod 'em".
Your thoughts appreciated.
Steve
) have any regrets. Or is at a case of "its my car, sod 'em".Your thoughts appreciated.
Steve
I started with Ultima way back in 1997. Much smaller operation then and a bit "hand to mouth" - the paper manual was quite basic IE 20 pages on how to do the aly panels... then seemed to get bored... next paragraph said - put in engine, paint, put petrol in, drive.
Things seem much better now, much more supportive and of course the free openday each year. I found you can always just drop in to the factory - with your camera - and have a look/poke about etc and have a chat.
I think the "going it alone bit" is more that if you decided to put twin rocket launchers and 25 inch wheels in the car and things went wrong I guess in this strange world you could sue them for not telling not to! - not sure. (probably only for our American cousins )
You youngster's don't know how lucky you are! That reminds me....During the war............
Things seem much better now, much more supportive and of course the free openday each year. I found you can always just drop in to the factory - with your camera - and have a look/poke about etc and have a chat.
I think the "going it alone bit" is more that if you decided to put twin rocket launchers and 25 inch wheels in the car and things went wrong I guess in this strange world you could sue them for not telling not to! - not sure. (probably only for our American cousins )
You youngster's don't know how lucky you are! That reminds me....During the war............
The factory face a quandary.
It would be difficult for them to support someone who is embarking on a build which will (in their eyes) lessen or devalue the high standards they hold for their product so they may have on occasion chosen not to just take the money and may have refused to accept an order. Who knows.
On the second point they have made it very clear they could not support someone heading for a different engine option. The simple answer here, is that, by their own admission they are not engine builders and have limited in-house engine expertise.
As a forum we have been talking LS7 for a long time and bemoaning the fact that the factory did not want to know. We were, of course, unaware that behind the scenes the factory were developing a package which appears to me to be very complete and must have taken a huge commitment both technically and financially.
The risk with oddball engines is that when it all goes pear shaped the owner/builder will be disenchanted with his/her finished/unfinished project and could be telling the world how wonderful it would have been if only the factory had helped them.
A very fine balancing act on the part of the factory and one which I don't envy them.
Steve
It would be difficult for them to support someone who is embarking on a build which will (in their eyes) lessen or devalue the high standards they hold for their product so they may have on occasion chosen not to just take the money and may have refused to accept an order. Who knows.
On the second point they have made it very clear they could not support someone heading for a different engine option. The simple answer here, is that, by their own admission they are not engine builders and have limited in-house engine expertise.
As a forum we have been talking LS7 for a long time and bemoaning the fact that the factory did not want to know. We were, of course, unaware that behind the scenes the factory were developing a package which appears to me to be very complete and must have taken a huge commitment both technically and financially.
The risk with oddball engines is that when it all goes pear shaped the owner/builder will be disenchanted with his/her finished/unfinished project and could be telling the world how wonderful it would have been if only the factory had helped them.
A very fine balancing act on the part of the factory and one which I don't envy them.
Steve
I've been wondering this as well.
Again I find the factory very good but let's face it a little expensive (yes, I agree you get what you pay for).
I'm always tempted by the classified parts ads (I was considering buying those front wheels that were for sale on PH recently but just knew the Factory wouldn't sell me the rears on their own so didn't bother to ask) however I just buy from the factory in the end as it saves any hassle.
Although I did ask them about a G50 gearbox as per their pricelist about three months ago and yet to hear anything. Guess they're in short supply.
Again I find the factory very good but let's face it a little expensive (yes, I agree you get what you pay for).
I'm always tempted by the classified parts ads (I was considering buying those front wheels that were for sale on PH recently but just knew the Factory wouldn't sell me the rears on their own so didn't bother to ask) however I just buy from the factory in the end as it saves any hassle.
Although I did ask them about a G50 gearbox as per their pricelist about three months ago and yet to hear anything. Guess they're in short supply.
I have 'strayed' a little from the standard factory setup and not bought everything from them. I have been quite open about this when i have been at the factory, which is quite often as i am fairly local. Ted, Richard etc have never suggested they would not offer me any support but saying that, i would not ask for support on a non factory part - after all, you wouldnt ask Dell to help you with an ibm pc would you?
I have had a lot of support from the factory during my factory supplied bodyfit( did it myself) regarding panel position, sizes etc. Cant fault them.
So i think in brief the point at which they would refuse support is if you asked them to support something that wasnt theirs - makes sense to me.
dave
I have had a lot of support from the factory during my factory supplied bodyfit( did it myself) regarding panel position, sizes etc. Cant fault them.
So i think in brief the point at which they would refuse support is if you asked them to support something that wasnt theirs - makes sense to me.
dave
I have dealt with product support for helicopters for 40 years. The last ten have been have been at a very high level. The helicopter industry could learn a thing or two from Ultima. That said, they are in a tricky posistion and my background tells me they do need to be carefull about what kind of mods that they accept. But if somebody reading this is worried about product support from Utima for a reason to build or not you got bigger issues to over come. Lee
I suspect that I have been dealing with Ultima for longer than most people on this forum, having placed my first order for a Sports in December 1994. This took me 4 years to build and I made a lot of changes from the "standard" car. Even so, the factory was always 100% helpful and supportive despite me not buying all of the parts from them.
I've been putting together a GTR for the last 4 years (I take my time), again with a lot of changes but this time and wherever possible, I have bought everything from the factory. The quality of the components is excellent, everything fits and in the long run, I believe that it is cheaper and less of a hassle to do so.
In the 13 years I have been dealing with the factory I have not had a bad experience. I've had problems, of course, but the factory has always done their best to help me resolve them. And no, I don't have shares in Ultima. Unfortunately.
I've been putting together a GTR for the last 4 years (I take my time), again with a lot of changes but this time and wherever possible, I have bought everything from the factory. The quality of the components is excellent, everything fits and in the long run, I believe that it is cheaper and less of a hassle to do so.
In the 13 years I have been dealing with the factory I have not had a bad experience. I've had problems, of course, but the factory has always done their best to help me resolve them. And no, I don't have shares in Ultima. Unfortunately.
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