Being from South Africa doesn't make someone Superformance - Page 3

gary osborne · #41 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 06:26 PM

Man are we good at making a big deal about nothing or what? Does a day go by here on CC that we don't take someone's comment and try to twist it around into something sinister?

So Mike loves his SPF. BIG DEAL! So Mike loves his SPF so much that he started his own newsletter for other SPF owners in an effort to create a bond amongst other enthusiasts. BIG DEAL! So Mike loves his car so much that he expressed a controversial opinion bringing focus to what HE loves so much about his car and its manufacturer. BIG DEAL! So he fails to get sucked into the CC abyss and respond to those who question his motives. BIG DEAL! He really owes no one an explanation or a response. He said what he said and apparantly stands by it. After all everyone gets to have an opinion and he shared his. Don't like it? BIG DEAL!

I will say this. Whatever his motives might be (I choose not to speculate) I can tell you that Mike is not now, nor has he ever been associated with Superformance or Hi Tech Industries in anyway whatsoever (other than he is a happy and loyal paying customer just like me and almost 2000 other guys). He is not associated with SCOF other than a member just like he is here on CC and SCOF is also not associated with Superformance or Hi Tech in any way.

So say what you will about Mike. I find him to be a very bright engineer, fellow car nut and loyal SPF owner --- and also opinionated. Oh, I almost forgot --- he has a smallblock. So, lets kill him. LOL

Excaliber · #42 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 06:33 PM

OK Gary,,,,who you really working for??? Ha ha.

Ernie

gary osborne · #43 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 06:41 PM

Classics by Elite and Ed DV Combs...... Just kidding Ed. Don't freak out on me Dude.

mrmustang · #44 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 06:46 PM

Oi Vey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by gary osborne

Classics by Elite and Ed DV Combs...... Just kidding Ed. Don't freak out on me Dude.

Dan Semko · #45 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 06:49 PM

Wait,
You mean that Mike has a Small Block and you want to kill him? That's crossing the line Uncle Fester, I knew that there was something that I really liked about Mike besides his dedication to the sport and his vast knowledge of cobra history. The functionality of a stroked small block verses the testosterone laden big block further substantiates his insight!
I have to reaffirm Gary's post. Mike expressed his personal opinion with no ulterior motive nor economic benefits from SCOF, SPF or SCORE. He is passionate about our hobby and like many, is disheartened by the undermining and in fighting that has driven many to opposing corners.
Isn't it interesting that the person that helped create the cobra legend is also the same person that has systematically caused the unheavel? That's quite a legacy!

casaleenie · #46 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 07:30 PM

Carroll, Gary, etc...

Can't Mike post for himself????

Dan Semko · #47 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 07:57 PM

Isn't that what friends are for?
How long has this forum been active and how many times have you ever seen Carroll Shelby speak for himself?

casaleenie · #48 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 08:07 PM

Touche'

Mike Stenhouse · #49 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 08:15 PM

Yes, I can post for myself. In fact I did. The message speaks for itself. The messenger is not important, so I chose to stay out of it.

The message is a simple one. There are manufacturers that are long on talk and short on delivery. There are manufacturers that do well on delivery and tend to be short on rhetoric. We have too many of the former and too few of the latter in this sport. We the owners, who make this sport a reality, deserve better. But we aren’t going to get it until we recognize it and reward it. Superformance works hard to deliver on their promise. They deserve a round of applause for it. For those who would bask in their reflected glow, I can only say this. Our sport needs more companies like Superformance. So do your best. Just don’t expect (or promise) overnight success. It is a tough road. It will take awhile.

If you want to know something about me, the messenger, I am an engineer by training. I have a BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering (a rocket scientist if you would) and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. I am a manufacturing and distribution consultant by profession. I know a good delivery system when I see one. Superformance has one. I know. I took the time to travel to South Africa to check it out for myself. And I took the time to post what I found here for you all to read as well.

Steve R · #50 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 08:29 PM

Mike,
please see my thread on IQ in the lounge. With a resume' like that, I'm really curious!
Steven

LateApex · #51 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 08:40 PM

Mike,

I for one, as a former SPF owner appreciate the great work you have done with SecondStrike and appreciate the update from your visit to SPF. The biggest asset of owning an SPF has been the communication and events via your newsletter, mailers, and website.

Within your own post above you essentially acknowledge that SPF may have had some pains as they "grew up". As a former SPF owner, I can testify to that. SPF makes rollers as I see it. There is an "in-place disti system" of privateers as I see it as well. SPF is not the selling agent for their rollers as I see it. Am I wrong? Shelby on the other hand controls most of manufacturing all the way to the consumer. It is an announced business model, maybe even an in place model, sounds like a possible edge to me when you factor in CSX #s, his name, and the other obvious features.

So SPF's value is 1. their product as it stands as a roller (and it is a great 'glass roller), 2. their community (sometimes sadly a closed to public eyes forum mostly on SCOF and the great posts by Flyin Freddie and others here on occasion, with SCOF as a member's only forum, thus no one can see the day to day "darkside"), 3. their engineering--thats where the sweat equity and time comes to play, and finally 4. their legacy of selling probably just shy of 2000 cars by now.

At the end of the day, I am with TURK on a very recent post of his. He mentioned if you bought a car to enjoy and play with, race with and don't give a hoot about resale, you have understood what it is about, and knowing what I know of you, you are in that category and should be commended. I sense some worry among the SPF crowd. This post is not to you as the messenger, but more to SPF and the private SCOF crowd.

Excaliber · #52 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 09:05 PM

See! I was just saying the other day, some of these guys building there cars are Rocket Scientists!

.....and don't confuse with the details of what makes it a "build".

Ernie

ToyCollector · #53 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 09:12 PM

Mike S. has done much for the Superformance community to organize some great driving events, his newsletter is terrific, and he is the record keeper of owners in the U.S., maybe even abroad (he know's, not I on the abroad bit). He has written some great articles on some of the things we debate about on this forum on occasion (BB vs SB), or should I say often?

TC, bought and sold his SPF for zero loss (at the time) and with lot's of giggles in between the buying and selling. I have been known to be good with timing though.

TomH · #54 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 09:32 PM

OK Now I'm really confused. Given the intelligence, pedigree, and good intentions; why the first strike polemic on other SA replica carmakers?

gary osborne · #55 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 09:59 PM

casaleenie,

I was going to say Mike can speak for himself - but he already has. Besides, I was not speaking for Mike or even about Mike other than answering the question about his "connection" to SPF. I WAS speaking about the unwarranted attacks that happen here in general with this event being nothing more than the continuation series. Finally, your own post script says: People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf... LOL

Lateapex,

I continuously struggle with this "perceived" idea that SPF owners have some secret society where they gather and plot against humanity and discuss the secret woes of owning a SPF. There IS no "darkside". Yes, we have our own private forum that is no different than any country club or a group of friends getting together to play a little poker. We have common issues and a common bond. It would be a project that I would suggest to any other group of owners. It adds value to ownership. And "no" I would NOT be offended if I was not invited to another group's party. Finally, I agree with both Turk AND you. Buy 'em. Drive 'em. Love 'em.

Tom H,

I won't defend it (only because it is not my place) but it is hardly the first strike from anyone on anyone. This controversy has been boiling for a few years now --- like ever since the first lawsuit was filed.

BT SNAKE · #56 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 10:18 PM

Superformance is a good Cobra and they are what they are. Many folks will continue to purchase their Cobras. I'm proud of my Midstates but I dont come onto this forum and start calling other manufacturers imitators or what ever. I made a choice just as Mike made his. He is passionate about superformance and that's nice but hey don't slap another manufacturer for trying to come up with a better mouse trap. Shamrock and Backdraft are good products too. They may not be for Mike but there sure are customers out there that are buying them and are quite happy so far.
If it wasn't for AC and Shelby we wouldn't be having this dicussion. You have a Superformance I have a Midstates, others have what they wanted. They are Replicas. I say enjoy your Cobra regarless of who made it. It's a business and they are doing what they have to to survive. May the best company prevail.

Personally, I think there is room for all of them.
I say let the chips fall where they may. The consumer will decide the fate of these imatators. I say consumers are smart enough to buy the product that gives the best value for their dollar. It baffles me that Mike would be so concerned over the other companies that he would actually take the time to come onto this forum and make such a post . We don't have the option to come onto the Superformance forum and do the same unless we're members. Is there a thread over there in regards to this subject ? If there is I'm sure the reading would be quite interesting.

Hersh

BLACKJACK · #57 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 10:32 PM

HEY, HERSH,

WELL SAID BUDDY. I THINK YOU JUST ABOUT SUMMED UP ALL OF OUR THOUGHTS.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

JAM1775 · #58 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 08:50 AM

What I've learned from following this thread is there are many Cobra replica manufacturers whose customers are extremely satisfied with their investment and they "recognize it and reward it" with their loyal responses to this thread. No doubt SPF " works hard to deliver on their promise".
The obvious is ...so do many other manufacturers.
Those that do not will fall by the wayside ....who knows how that will sort out . To suggest one manufacturer is unique ( no pun intended !) and should "deserve a round of applause" well...clap..clap..clap . But NOT for one company....no way. My applause goes to the folks on this forum who are making me laugh MAO reading this thread !! Now that's a dose of
what makes this "sport a reality !!!

Bottom line ?? We all love our cars. I agree...with Blackjack, Turk, Hersh, MM and others ......drive em boys !!
Line them up and rattle some windows !

REAL 1 · #59 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 09:17 AM

Mr. Stennhouse: I'm glad you love your SPF and are impressed with SPF

I love my Shelby and am impressed with SAI.

Enjoy.

SSS · #60 (**permalink**) 09-02-2003, 10:16 AM

Hmm. The Cobra replica industry is wholly founded on the basis of copying.

I find it ironic that people who own and/or are otherwise involved with Cobra replicas are so concerned about someone supposedly copying them...