E.B.M. was an automotive manufacturer based in Salt River, Cape Town, South Africa, established by Eric Booth in 1994. Initially focused on building racing cars, the company later shifted its efforts towards the development of road-legal vehicles.
The first significant model produced by E.B.M. was the Tazio, a mid-engined supercar that debuted in 1999. The Tazio was notable for its lightweight construction, weighing less than 1,000 kg (approximately 2,200 lbs), and it was offered with various V8 engine options, including those from Chevrolet and BMW. The vehicle featured a stainless steel chassis paired with fiberglass bodywork, and it was available in both closed coupe and roadster styles.
E.B.M. also produced the Manx, a low-slung sports car that resembled a modern version of the Lotus 7. This model utilized a space frame chassis, a mid-mounted Volkswagen Golf engine and gearbox, and a sophisticated suspension system comprising double wishbone front and MacPherson strut/multi-link rear setups. Both fully-built cars and kits were available for enthusiasts.
The Tazio was designed to handle significant power, with E.B.M. claiming that its chassis could accommodate engine outputs exceeding 800 bhp, and it was reported to achieve a top speed of up to 206 mph (331 km/h). E.B.M. contributed to the South African automotive landscape with its innovative designs and engineering capabilities before ceasing operations.
Comments