American Shifter Co

.....just got an e-mailer announcing the launch of American Shifter Company and their new "dual-action" shifters. Anybody got info/input? Heard rumors that displaced Gennie folks are involved.

Thnx, E

 

Older thread on them here
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=526167

Their stuff sure looks like copy and paste engineering.

 

Copy, paste and make in China as cheaply as possible. I'll stick with Lokar.

 

I just talked to thier online customer rep. The shifters are made in China. I told them to change the name of the company and don't ever send me anything again.

Fuck them. -Abone.

 

http://www.americanshifter.com/

 

I'm not defending American shifter but as you demean them, by calling them names such as ripoff artists etc. Just a reminder that the owner of LoKar started out at Gennie Shifter!

 

That may be true but they make a better product line and so far it's all made in the US.

 

You know, I wouldn't care so much except they call their company AMERICAN shifter co... wtf... Oh the irony! It reminds me of when I see all the American Flag emblazoned T shirts/posters/stickers/pins/collectible plates/whatever that people buy and most of that stuff is stamped out over in the big C too... shame.

 

I'm not talking about produce quality, or where it's made. When Skip started Lokar some of his designs sure looked like they had been done before. It's a copy cat world.

 

Yeah Hoffmans been playing that game for awhile now!

 

EXACTLY!!!! Nothing like rising to fame on the back of an original. I'm still hoping that Gennie will find it's way back, only this time with a management team and financial backing that will give it a permanent spot in the market place.

Frank

 

I thought Skip was just a hot rodder that had a better idea....the story I heard was he presented said idea to Mr Gennie (his name eludes me at the moment) and was promptly told to pound sand.....then came Lokar.

 

Not True! Skip and Debbie Walls NEVER worked for Gennie. Gennie was a very small company in West Covina CA. They made a great product and the guy ran it out of his garage. The Walls and Lokar are from TN. The shifters are similar in stick appearance, but that is about it. The push button lock out is very different than the gated pattern of the Gennie.
It's funny but the first time I heard those rumors were right after Gennie got sold to the Colorado people.

 

Been around a long time but if I'm wrong my I apologize, we'll see????

 

Skip and Lokar moved to Tennessee from LA about 1993.

 

Does anyone have any contacts for Gennie Shifter. I might be interested in the company.

 

I love these post.

 

i'm interested in some company too, but she better be blonde.

 

I got an email from them over the weekend as well. Not 100% impressed.
Interesting for me is I know the company that makes 90% of those gear knobs.

Unless you like dark haired Asians as I have met the manufacturers Sales Rep.

 

Hey Finksters, Here are just a few of the shifter knobs I make, made in America in my garage/shop by an American.

 

Gennie Shifter was started in West Covina by Bill Phipps, I believe he was a school teacher, and did this on the side. I believe LoKar started in Walnut, a few miles away. don't know if Skip ever worked for Bill. I think Bill sold the company when he retired.