Difference Superformance vs. Hi Tech 427

ralphbru · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 12:22 PM

Dear Members

Can you say me more to the difference of these vehicles? Quality etc.

Thank for your help.

Best regards
Ralph

CHRIS DAMSCH · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 03:42 PM

I believe there were a couple of different companies called Hi Tech over the years. I've seen a few that were very accurate/quality replicas, some that were not. Also, the company that builds the Superformance cars in South Africa is called Hi Tech.

That really wasn't any help was it? Now even I'm confused.

blykins · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 03:56 PM

Now that was funny.

Blas · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 06:50 PM

Notes from my collection:
(Not written by me - just a collection of information)

High Tech Motorcars (NOT the Superformance builder)

- Now defunct, is said to have used CSX3190 as the mold model. Hi-Tech was started in the early 80's, and built some pretty accurate replicas. Hi-Tech made some aluminum cars, but they were very pricey. They also put aluminum hoods, trunks, and doors on as an option with the 'glass cars.
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- The entire chassis was Tig welded with very neat and clean welds.
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-Hi-Tech made hand built aluminum cars in the late '80s or early '90s. I think that the man behind it was Tom D'Antonio or something like that and based out west, Arizona possibly. I don't know whether there is an affiliation between this Hi-Tech and the SA Hi-Tech.
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- The Hi-Tech replicas made in Arizona in the 80's were a very nice car. Most of them were fiberglass, though a few aluminum versions were built. These cars were made to original Cobra specs - every chassis part for an original Cobra would fit a Hi-Tech (though he did offer an upgrade to a Ford 9" center-section w/IRS). Hi-Tech made 427's and 289 FIA's, and, I believe there was a prototype "street" 289 that was never completed.

- The fiberglass Hi-Tech is really what the 4000 series Shelby 'glass cars are derived from. Tom D'Antonio sold Hi-Tech, and went to work for Shelby in the early 90's when Shelby decided he was going to start making new Cobras. His Hi-Tech design, including the realistic detailing of the tubular frame around the hood and doors, is the basis for the CSX4000 cars.
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- Hi-tech was based in Phoenix and went out of business in late 1998 to early 1999. I have maybe the last cobra they produced in December of 1998. Tom D'antonio sold the hi-tech business to Tim Gunning in the early to mid 90's. The CSX 4000 and the hi-tech are the same cobra except for the IRS 9 inch that hi-tech offered. Hi-tech was taking customer deposits and using those deposits to complete cars that were already paid in full. The scheme ended when not enough new deposits were coming and at the same time paid for cars were not completed. Hi-tech did employ some very good people. The business was constantly out of cash as cash was going out the door to the owners to support there life style. Numerous lawsuits that were filed.

High Tech (The Superformance builder) see this link
Jimmy Price of Hi-Tech Automotive & Superformance - GT40s.com

double ugly · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 07:24 PM

Well, there is no comparison between an SPF and a Hi Tech. The Hi Tech was ACCURATE but not necessarily professionaly built like the Superformance since the cars didn't need to go out the door as a roller. So it depends on the builder. No, Tom did not have much to do with the Shelby continuation cars other than go to work for them. Tim Gunning made the High Tech more accurate than Tom D'Antonio's by getting a mold off an original car and staying true to form.
"Cash going out the door to support their life style???" NOT! A typical low "start up cash" business with no bad intentions but they were overtaken by events.

Red S/C · #6 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 07:42 PM

I have a Hi Tech from Tim Gunning that I finally received in 2006. I gave my original deposit to Tom D'Antonio in 1993 and went through quite an interesting and frustrating process for the next several years. The car itself is a very well made and quite accurate.

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red S/C

...I finally received in 2006. I gave my original deposit to Tom D'Antonio in 1993...

It took you 13 years to get your car?

And I thought the ERA wait was bad.

Red S/C · #8 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 08:00 PM

Long story, I had the help of the right people in Arizona.

Blas · #9 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 08:17 PM

Understand, I was just quoting from my collection of information...But I did have the oppertunity to see an aluminum High Tech a few years back...It looked very original, had brass colored knock-offs. Belonged to someone local in the Chicago suburbs...Red or Orange as I remember....

ralphbru · #10 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 01:54 PM

I wanted to know also, may buy one a Hi-Tech Cobra (fiberglass) or is to be bought it better a Superformance?

Thanks for your helpnes.

Best regards
Ralph

Blas · #11 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 04:24 PM

Buy what YOU like the best....Look them over real good, drive them...then sleep on it...and then purchase it....and don't look back...

427PMS · #12 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 04:42 PM

Premier Motorsports in Kansas city bought the fiberglass molds from Hi-tech some years back . They have made some improvements and produce some real nice glass bodies . I am waitng on mine to get completed .

Chris