It's interesting that only one SPF owner responded to your note. I've been an SPF owner since October, 2000, when I took delivery of SPF#770. My dealer was Olthoff Racing in Charlotte, NC. Bob Olthoff was a driver/engineer for Willment Racing in the mid-60's and drove the Willment Daytona Coupe for several years throughout Europe and Africa in various races. He was quite succesful and has probably forgotten more about Cobras than most of us ever knew! Besides all that, Bob's a trusted friend and all around helluva guy to count among your friends. His son, Dennis, ran in One Lap of America, Run-n-Gun and other various racing venues running Superformance cars. I don't need to tell anyone how may races and championships they've one, as individuals and as a team. They indeed have lived the dream most of us have!
I bought my Superformance after visiting their shop in Charlotte, but I had already decided on Superformance before I even made that visit. I have the knowledge, expertise, tools, desire, and funding to build whatever kit I may have decided upon. But...the one thing I didn't have was TIME. I didn't want to spend 1-2 years building the car of my dreams...although I have every confidence that I could have done it. My problem is that I am so anal retentive about the little crap that it would have taken me 2-3 car builds to finally get one I was happy with!!!
The first one would have been nice, but that would have been the one I went to school on...my training project, so to speak. I would have made some errors, corrected them, and went on....but, I would always remember where those errors were, and it would have bugged the sh!t out of me until I sold it and started build #2.
The second car would have been much better than the first. I wouldn't have made all the rooky mistakes and wouldn't have had to 'settle' on some repair I had to make because I had drilled a hole in the wrong place, or something like that. The second would have been a 'keeper' but then I would have changed my mind with a couple of the options I chose while building #2.
The third car would have been the Dream Car. Everything I had done wrong on the first two would have been done right the first time on #3. I would have found and eliminated all the crappy painters on #1 and 2, and #3's paint would have been perfect! Basically, #3 would have been the one everyone dreams about!
But...realizing how anal I am, I looked at Superformance. The quality of workmanship was and still is OUTSTANDING! Aircraft grade hardware everywhere on the car...cadmium plated hardware with nylock nuts everywhere. Handmade wiring harnesses with zip ties every 6-8", adelm clipped to the inside of the frame rails - perfect in every way....just like I would have done on car #3. The paint looks like a custom show car finish....they're using PPG paints now, but when I first looked at them, they were using Glasurit....same as Porsche. Everywhere I looked, I was impressed with the overall fit, finish, and quality. These are factory built cars, hand assembled by craftsmen who really put a lot of pride into their work - and the finished product really shows it. I came back with a HUGE grin after my test drive...no doubt about it...THIS was my car!
The cars come as 'turnkey minus', meaning you'll have to arrange for the engine and transmission installation. There are several engine choices available from crate motor 351W's, mild-to-wild...385 horses to over 500....to 460's....again, mild-to-wild...480 horses to over 600...and FE's, too....427 side oilers...you name it. Most owners choose Tremec 5-speeds...3550's or TKO's, with some other choices in there, too. Independent four-wheel suspension, Wilwood brakes all around are now standard, real knock off Hallibrand replica wheels...Trigos are available, as are PSE, and Supeformance also makes their own wheels, too. There are new cloth tops available that are really nice, and a hardtop is an option.
The Superformance dealer network is superb...incredible service after the sale, readily available parts - most are off the shelf OEM parts, and SPF maintains a parts warehouse in Newport News, VA, for overnite parts availability, should you need it. Plus, SPF's come with a one year warranty, as well.
We Superformance owners have our own internet forum, Superformance Cobra Owners Forum, or SCOF. This is a private group of owners who exchange ideas, technical information, knowledge and camaraderie among ourselves.
All in all, I couldn't be more happier with my Superformance than I am....well, I guess I could, but it would involve a NEW Superformance .... their Daytona Coupe replica....have you seen it? It's OUT-FREAKIN'-STANDING!
You have received some good advice on this thread. The best was to take your time....look at all the manufacturers....decide on your budget, and then make your decision. I'll add one more tidbit....determine HOW you want to use the car. Will you just cruise in it....take it drag racing....take it road racing....just make car shows .... or some of each? Some cars are more 'at home' at cruise ins and car shows, and some are more at home at the drag strip, while others like road courses better. Me? I like the car shows, too.....but, my first preference is road racing! My Superformance looks great all dolled up for the car shows....but, take my street wheels off and install my Hoosiers, stick on my meatballs, swap out my roll bar, and I'll kick some major ass at most any road racing or autocross venue.
So...you've got some decisions to make, Mr. Galaxy. I don't envy you in your "pathway to happiness". But...still....it's fun to look at all that's available. Come on to Columbus, Ohio, this weekend for Double Venom's Spring Fling #3....there will be 250+ Cobra replicas there to look at, plus at least one ORIGINAL Shelby American car, as well, I believe. It'll be a great chance to compare, talk to the owners, and who knows...maybe even walk away with a new car!!!! Plus there'll be the odd beer, or two, consumed along the way.
And how cool is THAT...?
