[Steve Cassani]

Clois writes: "Today I believe I am better informed and would make a different initial decision than I did 13 years ago.
If I were buying a new kit, I would look at a builder’s reputation as a person and as a builder. For me it all comes down to trust."

After a sour experience with a Superformance MkIII I have put the lesson to work. David Wagner will do the final assembly of my Kirkham slabside hybrid. In my due diligence on the purchase of the MkIII I failed to note that many if not most of the people who spoke favorably of their Superformance cars were speaking in defense of their own decisions to purchase the car. They take criticism of the quality of the car's assembly as a crticism of themselves. I posted a partial listing of the problems I had with the car on this website. The ensuing vitriol from owners and two dealers, one of whom approached me at a vintage car event, were impressive.

However representative my experience might be, I caution a prospective purchaser to be careful whom they trust to build a car that honors the cars reputation among its owners.

My purchase happened to come during the conflict between Shelby and Superformance, along with a relatively minor disagreement between the engine builder who was also responsible for final assembly and Dynamic's affiliation with Roush. By the time the angry words the parties had for each other were shared with me over the phone, all during Dean Rosen's absence, my car had slipped into a twilight where no one took responsibility for doing their part of the job well. The result was a car fraught with minor and not so minor mis-assemblies and outright mistakes. A couple bordered on neglect.

I was especially angry with myself, since I committed to a Superformance when I could afford a car constucted by Kirkham and the cost of David's time and skill. Still, several months of owning the Mk III passed until I realized I had gotten what I paid for. I'm confident the same thing will happen this time. The quality of the car and that of work done to complete it will be commensurate with what I am asked to pay. This time, the quality will also match my aspirations for a Cobra I can enjoy.

The fit of what you are able to pay for and what you demand of a finished car is, I have come to think, critical to how satisfying owning the car will be. Don't overstate the latter at the expense of the former. Bring your expectations into line with your ability and willingness to pay, or, and this was my mistake, don't short change what you pay while keeping your expectations the same. You will be disappointed and that will be no one's fault but your own.

The kit car or reproduction market is, for the most part, honest and certainly it is competitive. Find your niche in it and the car selection will fall into place.