CSX vs. Superformance Body Mold

[LMH]

Originally Posted by E5USMC

I’ve always felt an FIA roll bar in the 289 Slabside balanced the look of the car and helped it tremendously. Plus I love the undercar exhaust coming out in front of the tires and the stacks under the hood!!! That’s a damn good looking car.

E5

Side outlet exhaust was fairly common on street cars. It keeps the pipes from interfering with the rear anti-sway bar if so optioned.
Larry

[snakeeyes]

Actually, MkIV, I think we’re both right...the tires in the first pic are different than those in the second. Must have been taken at two different times in the life of the car. I think you’re correct that the first pic shows Coopers, and I’m pretty sure the second shows Avons.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by snakeeyes

Actually, MkIV, I think we’re both right...the tires in the first pic are different than those in the second. Must have been taken at two different times in the life of the car. I think you’re correct that the first pic shows Coopers, and I’m pretty sure the second shows Avons.

Correct!

[Buzz]

As said - to each his own. CSX2000 does look a bit shabby, but that is not representative of the majority of the 2000 series cars.
As for the BDR being an improvement, the bulbous shape and cartoonish (to me) look are deal breakers and I would not own one. Once again, there are many who disagree with me and love the look of their BDR's - I totally get that and its not a disagreement, just differing tastes.
I actually do like some of the interior details, and the modern day performance and drivability of the supercharged Coyote in some of them I find interesting.

[RUFdriver]

Slightly off topic but related to the original question, something I’ve often wondered about, what’s the deal with all the South African built Cobras? Did the origin of this cottage industry have something to do with CS spending those years in Africa?

[LMH]

Originally Posted by RUFdriver

Slightly off topic but related to the original question, something I’ve often wondered about, what’s the deal with all the South African built Cobras? Did the origin of this cottage industry have something to do with CS spending those years in Africa?

There were no originals that came out of South Africa. All originated at AC Cars in England. I think what you’re referring to is Hi Tech SA which is a Superformance in the states.
Larry

[RUFdriver]

Originally Posted by LMH

There were no originals that came out of South Africa. All originated at AC Cars in England. I think what you’re referring to is Hi Tech SA which is a Superformance in the states.
Larry

I know, I was wondering about the time CS spent in South Africa in the early-mid 70s. Is there a connection?

[snakeeyes]

Originally Posted by RUFdriver

I know, I was wondering about the time CS spent in South Africa in the early-mid 70s. Is there a connection?

My recollection—and that’s all it is—is that Shelby basically distanced himself from all things car-related during his time in SA. But who knows what connections he made while he was there.

[RUFdriver]

Originally Posted by snakeeyes

My recollection—and that’s all it is—is that Shelby basically distanced himself from all things car-related during his time in SA. But who knows what connections he made while he was there.

It’s all very interesting, CS spends time in SA and years later all these Cobras start popping out of the molds.

[ERA 626]

Hi-tech is the parent company for Superformance. The factory in South Africa builds both the SPF cars and the CSX cars. They are completely different cars.
I am beilng told CS was having quality issues with the other buiders of the continuation cars. So he contracted Hi-tech to build the CSX cars. As a part of the deal (money grab) he had to license SPF. I am in no way saying anything negitive about SPF cars as they are very nice cars, the Quaity on the fit/finish comong from the SA factory is amazing. This is why CS contracted Hi-tech to Build the CSX cars.

I am friends will Bill Denbeste he has several million dollars in Cobras in his showroom (cobra wall) I was able to see the differences on the HST CSX cars, the Hi-tech CSX cars. it becomes obvious the quality differences between the cars. Needless to say I liked the Hi-tech SA car. However that being said the finished car is only as good as the person or company finishing the build. Bill has several Kirkhams several CSX cars and 2 CSX 3000 series cars, the collection of cobras in his windsor showroom is impressive. In the same building is the Shelby engine Co. very nice shop.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by ERA 626

I was able to see the differences on the HST CSX cars, the Hi-tech CSX cars.

I know of at least one major Cobra dealer that only accepted HST-built cars. I'd heard there were several and wouldn't be surprised if Denbeste was also one.

[tomshep]

Originally Posted by ERA 626

Hi-tech is the parent company for Superformance. The factory in South Africa builds both the SPF cars and the CSX cars. They are completely different cars.
I am beilng told CS was having quality issues with the other buiders of the continuation cars. So he contracted Hi-tech to build the CSX cars. As a part of the deal (money grab) he had to license SPF. I am in no way saying anything negitive about SPF cars as they are very nice cars, the Quaity on the fit/finish comong from the SA factory is amazing. This is why CS contracted Hi-tech to Build the CSX cars.

I am friends will Bill Denbeste he has several million dollars in Cobras in his showroom (cobra wall) I was able to see the differences on the HST CSX cars, the Hi-tech CSX cars. it becomes obvious the quality differences between the cars. Needless to say I liked the Hi-tech SA car. However that being said the finished car is only as good as the person or company finishing the build. Bill has several Kirkhams several CSX cars and 2 CSX 3000 series cars, the collection of cobras in his windsor showroom is impressive. In the same building is the Shelby engine Co. very nice shop.

Great info and helps fill in the gaps some.

I see Hi-Tech being mentioned here and other responses. Did they exist before SPF? I though SPF was started in South Africa. Which came first?

What does HST stand for? What number did they stop building in the CSX run? I am guessing HT picked up right after?

All I remember is Shelby working with the prison system to build his cars in the 90s(?) and then I read how it went to South Africa and SPF was providing the rollers.

Please correct or add as much as possible. I'm trying to learn this history.

Tom

[snakeeyes]

Originally Posted by tomshep

Great info and helps fill in the gaps some.

I see Hi-Tech being mentioned here and other responses. Did they exist before SPF? I though SPF was started in South Africa. Which came first?

Tom

It’s easy to get confused because there are actually two Hi-Techs in Cobra lore. The first was begun by Tom D’Antonio in, I believe, Arizona in the 90s. Tom is actually a Club Cobra member who goes by “Tjd” so maybe he’ll stop in here. THAT Hi-Tech didn’t stick around too long but while they existed they built some of the most accurate replicas out there. They were the first replica to build a frame so accurate that original Cobra parts were interchangeable, and they offered aluminum body options before that became common.

The second Hi-Tech is the South African one. My knowledge about where they fit into things is limited so I’ll let others take up that thread if they want, but I don’t believe there is any connection between the two companies beyond the name.

[snakeeyes]

My plan for my JCF was a removable FIA-style roll bar, exhaust in front of the rear wheels, and a set of repro Halibrand Kidney Beans on period-style tires. That would have given me the ability to switch back and forth between a pure street look and more of an early FIA replica one. Never kept the car long enough to do it.

[snakeeyes]

Here’s a timeline that talks a little about his time in South Africa if you scroll down.

https://www.shelby.com/en-us/History

[snakeeyes]

Yeah...somehow it’s hard to accept that he just “stopped” and went to Africa for a few years to look at wildebeests, LOL. You know he couldn’t resist exercising that wheeler-dealer gene every chance he got.

[LMH]

Don’t forget that Carroll Shelby sued that South African company and its US distributor.
Larry

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by LMH

Don’t forget that Carroll Shelby sued that South African company and its US distributor.
Larry

And then made nice and hired them to build his cars.......

[DanEC]

Can't discount that racing heritage, and Corvette thumping competition success elevated the popularity of the slab side/FIA cars. I'm a fan of the 427 cars and especially street cars, but that 289 racing heritage and success is something they just didn't have a chance to achieve due to evolution of performance.

[FredG]

I always wondered why, of all places, South Africa was the place a lot of these cars come from.

Fred