Manufacturers best feature.

[vettestr]

I have been reading all the great things said about a manufacturer in an ongoing thread ( leaning towards Unique ). In short it states: Cust. Service & Assembly Ease as the overall theme. Great praise for any company.
This type of info on a company would make the choice of purchase easy. Maybe the most common question I have seen on C.C. is WHAT KIT TO BUY. There is not 1 right answer but knowing specific things or owners praise would be very helpful to pick what is important to you.
How about it FF, Backdraft, Superformance ect.. owners? What is best feature or overall reason you bought the car of your dreams FROM??? What would you do differently if you could?

[Tony Aprile]

I sold a muscle car I owned for 24 years to buy a Cobra Replica. For me, I wanted to go right into a completely finished Cobra with a new drive train being the first owner. Superformance was my choice. The fit and finish only made my decision easier.
I opted for the 460 crate engine but what would I do different if I could. 427 S.O. 2x4

Tony

[Goose]

I chose Superformance for a several reasons:

1) Fully assembled, rolling chassis.

I didn't think I would have the patience and skill to complete an entire vehicle from the ground up to my satisfaction. After completing the SPF, I have rethought that view. I was amazed at how easily it was to spend time putting the remainder of the car together and realized that I have more skills (and resources) than I thought.

2) Fit and finish.

3) Style. It looks "right" to me.

4) After sitting in several cars, this was one of the more comfortable to me in regards to items such as seating and sterring wheel position.

5) Customer support.

6) Large, satisfied, owners group.

7) Parts availability.


At this point, I wouldn't do anything differently. As I am still new to the car, the 351/385hp is plenty to learn and have fun with. I don't think I have it tuned perfectly yet, so it can probably run even better. But, in the future, I could see myself desiring a the more traditional big block.

[Carroll DeWeese]

Ditto to Goose. Whatever you choose, however, get more horsepower than you think that you need. You can always grow into it and you never have to use it until you are ready to do so.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally posted by Goose


I chose Superformance for a several reasons:

7) Parts availability.

....But, in the future, I could see myself desiring a more traditional big block.

First of all, excellent thread topic for a fellow newbie!

Goose, I agree with all your points (fully assembled chassis, fit and finish, etc). But I have a couple questions:

1. What "standard" replacement parts do they install on the SPF (suspension hardware, brake hardware, etc.)? I'd like to know that if I need a "tie rod for a late model Ford Mustang" that I can easily get the part without mail-order.

2. I'm curious as to what attributes make you want to desire a big block? Is it the torque, the deeper exhaust growl, etc.? I've always figured that putting more weight bias on the front of these beasts makes them weaker (i.e. "less nimble") handlers.
There are now a lot of high torque, high HP small blocks available (that run on pump gas).

Thanks for the inputs!

-Deano

[Jamo]

I chose Kirkham because of the...Kirkhams.

[Lew Ledyard]

I chose Kirkham because of Jamo.

[Allan A]

I chose SAI because of Turk....

Allan

[decooney]

I chose ERA because of their engineering skills and attention to details on their cars. When it gets right down to it... because of how it looks, rides, and drives.

[Randall Thomas]

I chose Superformance because...

1. I wanted a car that could handle the biggest motor I could throw at it...

2. Because of the Rosen's at Dynamic Motorsports in Ohio...

3. I wanted what I thought was the best of the best in regards to a balance of authenticity and modern strength and handling...

4. Because of the Rosen's at Dynamic...

5. I like that it was factory built to a set standard that can be counted on car after car...

6. I liked the fact that they've been around quite a while and plan to be, and I can get parts fairly easy...

7. Because of the Rosen's at Dynamic in Ohio...

8. Because the soft top, tonneau cover, wind wings, sun visors and side windows all came with the car from the factory at no extra cost...

9. Because of the really fast turn around from ordering the car to it shipping in from half way around the world in about 6 weeks...

10. ...and did I mention because of the Rosen's at Dynamic?

Not only would I *not* do anything differently, but I went and got a second Superformance for my wife. After owning one, the choice for a second Cobra was not hard to make.

/Randall

[Bill Wells]

My SPF is an earlier car, built in 1996. I stumbled onto SPF due to their early displays at the Detroit Autorama car show when they first began importing these cars. Saw them there two years in a row, the folks (turned out to be the Rosens, from Dynamic) were hard working and energetic. There were no other turn key dealers near by (this was 5 hrs away), a few cars started showing up in the area, their owners very pleased with the product and support. So, I decided to take the plunge. Now, some years later, the Rosens and their extended office family still remember me by name, are there to answer any questions in a matter of minutes, parts if needed in 1-2 days. Older car , have encountered NO major car issues, looks as good as the newer ones, fiberglass/fit/finish/paint still look new. NO squeaks or rattles. DID I GET LUCKY OR WHAT !

I have sold many SPFs to friends and acquaintenances because of my experience, and they too praise the same things :
* great product support (seldom needed)
* great parts support (seldom needed)
* great dealer network to support above 2 pts
* owner support group (have made some great friends thru this)

WAS I LUCKY OR WHAT> there are MANY other folks with other brands who can make the same claims, there are also some that CANNOT . Comepetition will sort them all out and the strong will survive. My next car ,when the time comes? another SPF, there is no reason for me to consider anything else as my driving and ownership pleasure have been first rate, why fix something that ain't broke ? bill.

Bill.

[f4steri]

FWIW:
I chose an SPF because I wanted instant gratification-I've wanted a cobra since I first saw one in '63. Plus-Fctory built, no used parts, warranteed for one year, quality control standards thorughout the manufactoring process, and a COMPLETE roller (minus engine and tranny).
Frank SPF @ 725

[craigayl]

There were many reasons I chose Superformance, but truth be known, I didn’t know poop about buying a replica. I’d like to say I made this great intellectual choice, but looking back, in many ways I feel I was very lucky!

Initially one of things outside of the car itself that attracted me to Superformance was the Rosen’s and the extended Dynamic family.

But today? And, why my next Cobra would be a SPF?


1. SPF owners! Great friends. This is not to take anything away for all Cobra owners…All great folks! It’s just that a lot of SPF owners have become like extended family for me.
2. SPF Service and Technical staff. Dynamic Motorsports is 250 miles from my home, but I can get technical help at the drop of a hat and parts normally within 24 hours!
3. The car itself. I would think it logical for the car to be #1, but I do think, for me I have to order correct.
4. SPF dealers and corporate management. I have met and talked to Jim Price and Ronnie Kruger. I’m think that’s a bit rare. I worked for Ford Motor company for 33 years and never talked 1 on 1 with a CEO or top level director.

Craig

[CRZN427]

My first Cobra replica was an LAExotics, that was about ten years ago. I chose it because it was a local company (I didn't know about Butler at the time, they were closer to me) and I could go visit the factory if the information I got over the phone was not what I wanted to hear or was not timely.

My second Cobra replica is a Factory Five Racing 427 Roadster. The primary reason I chose the FFR is that is where the majority of my folding top customers seem to come from.

I have to admit that price was also an issue with me and I wanted to do most of the assembly myself. I ordered my kit with as much "not done" as I could to be able to do it my way as I put it together.

I believe that instant gratification is one of the things that is wrong with most of our country now. Not as many people want to put in the effort to achieve any worthy goal any more.

I got a lot of satisfaction out of being able to say "I built it" when I took it to car shows and when I was at the local coffee stop and the crowds gathered around to admire it. I am looking forward to those personal rewards again when I finish my FFR.

I'm not saying that those who bought a ready made car have anything to explain or feel slighted over. We all make our choices to best suit our wants and desires. Mine included doing the build myself.

[cobra427mnsi]

I would buy a Classic Roadster again because of DON SCOTT and DV.

The Kirkhams are good to buy from but my budget can't handle a Kirkham or SAI.

Choice comes down to what you can afford and what you are going to use the car for.

Paul

[OneFastRide]

I chose Superformance, because I wanted a car I could DRIVE! I've put 20,000 miles on this car in two years and it is as tight as the day I bought it. It handles great and runs like a scalded dawg. The entire Superformance family, from the top brass, Jim Price and Ronnie Kruger, to my dealer, Bob and Dennis Olthoff, to my fellow owners and SCOF members, all add up to make owning a Superformance a tremendous experience. Pedal down - Yeehaw!

[ELGEE]

I looked around for a long time-bought a used Midstates-
1.Strongest ,ultra high quality body made-almost 14 years old and no stress cracks !
2.Ford 9"--NO problems,toploader,NO problems.
3.The BEST factory support available-AND friendly too !
3.351C-- had them forever -just to be different-(8k rpm !!!)
4.Midstates has been doing this for 25 years !!!

[gary osborne]

I looked at a bunch of different manufacturers and liked different features about several. In the end, there were two primary issues for me. First, I did not have the skills to build a car and NEEDED a turnkey. Second, I wanted to have a dealer close by to take care of any potential service work for the same reason as number one. Superformance met my needs. In retrospect, I'm not too sure how important the service issue was since it has been such a reliable car --- but at the time it was important.

While there were other companies that could deliver a turnkey and one that was close enough for service, I found no others that met the above criteria that had the fit and finish that Superformance offers. To sweeten the deal, SPF also had more standard features and the Rosens in Ohio were so helpful and trustworthy that I could see no other option as being viable.

Now that time has gone by (nearly 4 years and 20,000 carefree miles) I would do it exactly the same way if faced with the decision again. As good as SPF is, the owners and the SPF owners support system is even better. I don't get many things right the first time around but this was better than a home run --- SPF was a grand slam.

[BT SNAKE]

I bought a Mistates body fifteen years ago and it still looks great. The best thing about buying a Midstates is that you're treated as family by the Kalios. They are truly wonderful folks to be aquanted with. The best thing about their turn keys is they build it the way you want it.

Hersh

[shaps]

Jamo
I chose Kirkham because of the...Kirkhams.

I second Jamo's response!
The Kirkham's are great folks to work with and they are continuously improving their product!
Shaps