Shelby 427 Hi-Tech Motorsports Alum.Bodied Reproduction

Michael4yah · #1 (**permalink**) 11-17-2004, 11:25 PM

Has anyone heard of Hi-Tech Motorsports Alum.Bodied Reproductions? Are they any good? I thought that Kirkham was the only ones making Aluminum bodies.

LwCwb · #2 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 04:28 AM

I believe Superformance makes an Aluminum body as well.

Specialk · #3 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 06:19 AM

Hi-Tech was started in the eary 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.

A friend of mine has a 'glass Hi-Tech and I am amazed at the quality of craftsmanship in it. The entire chassis was Tig welded with very neat and clean welds.

Maricopa · #4 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 08:27 AM

Kris, Hi-Tech is no more correct? I saw a very nice 'glass one in Vegas last year and there's a polished aluminum one here in Phx. Very nice cars, what a shame they didn't make it.

Sorry Mike, no aluminum bodied SPFs

Mike Simard · #5 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 12:15 PM

My Superformance sales literature has an option for an aluminum body, I'm not sure how many they made though.

CHRIS DAMSCH · #6 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 02:41 PM

I know Superformance did make at least one aluminum bodied car. I saw it at Dynamic in Ohio two summers ago. It was painted black I think.

Specialk · #7 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 04:32 PM

Hi-Tech is no more. However, that would not discourage me from buying one.

TerrysSPF · #8 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 07:41 PM

Chris: You're right about the alum bodied SPF @ Dynamic in Ross Ohio. It was Black with white stripes and also has a ROUND TUBE FRAME. This used to be available as a "special order" but I don't know if it still is. I remember it was VERY pricey. In fact, the owner of the black car is a member here on CC and his name is Tout. If I remember right, he has an alum FE in it as well. Check this out.......the chassis number is SPF0001.
SWEET ride.

I've seen a glas Hi-Tech car before. Very nice build and VERY accurate body. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one either, even if they are out of business. What ever happened to them anyway??

mickmate · #9 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 09:06 PM

There was a smashed up Hi Tech on e-bay a few months back. There was enough pictures details and literature to show they are as close to the real thing as you can find. That was a glass bodied one that had a 460 in it. I would buy one for the right money. Nicely detailed car.

TerrysSPF · #10 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 09:17 PM

There's a Hi Tech Alum body for sale on ebay right now. Are you looking at bidding on that?

HI Cobra · #11 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 09:42 PM

The ebay body is up to $10k+ and you will
need wrenching talent and $ to complete it
because it looks to be an aluminum body on
the frame with a bunch of suspension parts
and you supply the rest.

GT4T · #12 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 10:18 PM

Something doesn't seem right. Hi-Tech is/was a South African company run by Jimmy Price if I am not mistaken. But this eBay posting says it is make in the USA. I don't claim to KNOW any different, but I would sure question this.

Lynn

Lew Ledyard · #13 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 11:30 PM

Hi-Tech made handbuilt 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.

computerworks · #14 (**permalink**) 11-19-2004, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lew Ledyard

I don't know whether there is an affiliation between this Hi-Tech and the SA Hi-Tech.

none at all... two different entities.

cobrajeff · #15 (**permalink**) 11-19-2004, 08:13 AM

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.

regards,

Jeff

coyled · #16 (**permalink**) 11-19-2004, 08:47 AM

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 offerd. Hi-tech was taking customer deposits and using those deposits to complete cars that were allready 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, that eventually told me the truth and allowed me to get my cobra with most of the parts. The business was constantly out of cash as cash was going out the door to the owners to support there life style. I was fortunate to get my car and not be involved with the numerous lawsuits that were filed. Scott

GT4T · #17 (**permalink**) 11-19-2004, 09:59 AM

Thanks for setting me straight on this. I didn't know about the Arizona company that went out of business.

Thanks,
Lynn

David Brown · #18 (**permalink**) 11-19-2004, 08:49 PM

I've owned a Hi-Tech 427 S/C for 10 years. I chose them after scouring the continent for the then most accurate replica. I visited the Phoenix facility (which was actually in Tempe) twice in 1994 before my car was delivered. I met the original owner and the subsequent owner, drove their products, took pictures of the facility, etc.

I purchased this car before the worst of the customer abuse started. I did have some issues with Hi-Tech before I finished the build. The build was challenging, what with no manual and me at the time with just backyard wrenching skills.

What a shame Hi-Tech threw away its customer base and potential customers. It's a remarkably faithful replica.

This car has become a part of our household. A keeper.

It's been interesting to read through the thread. I thought we Hi-Tech owners were mostly forgotten.

David

FFR428 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-20-2004, 03:19 PM

I think Mike Mack form Tri-States purchased what was left of Hi-Tech. His FFR alternative body was partially based on the Hi-Tech. I'm not sure what part of his cobra body is Hi-tech but it's based on part FFR, Hi-Tech and his own design from what he told me. I was looking into purchasing one a few years back. G.

mickmate · #20 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 10:40 AM

I think it's a shame that it didn't meet the reserve and go to a home that really wanted to finish and appreciate this gorgeous piece of work! I wonder what reserve was?? We just refinanced and I was only a bid away from a whole heap of trouble at home. It must have been sitting around for a while from the High Tech history you guys are relating. I have a copy of their rear suspension drawings ;-) they compare well to CS dimensions.