Superformance MkII-FIA to CSX 2323 #146 Build

[LightNFast]

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[Dangerous Doug]

Looks great. I didn't know SPF made an FIA car, but I just heard about it today.

What intake are you going to use? I just saw a BlueThunder "Cobra" intake today on tkb289's ERA 289FIA (well, the engine in not installed yet) and I thought this had a nice look to it. You doing a 4 barrel, or Webers? Engine looks great.

Looking forward to following you build thread.

DD

[SunDude]

I'm also very interested in seeing the progress on your car. Ross is a great guy and this car is absolutely fabulous, and was a real labour of love for Ross and the team and Hi-Tech.

By the way, you cannot post too many pictures of your car. (hint, hint)

[1985 CCX]

Very nice cars these are, hope Ross goes to SAAC36 so I can see one first hand.

These SPF cars are basically HiTech cars which were the best of the best. Of course being rollers they offer precision build etc.....

Greatest of luck with this car = FANTASTIC

[LMH]

Cool!
Larry

[LightNFast]

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[computerworks]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Very nice cars these are, hope Ross goes to SAAC36 so I can see one first hand.

Originally Posted by LightNFast

I know for certain that Ross is working toward attending SAAC36 with an MkII.

See if you can contact him and let him know to drop me a note if he wants anything special at SAAC-36

[LightNFast]

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[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Very nice cars these are, hope Ross goes to SAAC36 so I can see one first hand.

These SPF cars are basically HiTech cars which were the best of the best. Of course being rollers they offer precision build etc.....

Greatest of luck with this car = FANTASTIC

Ross will be at SAAC with an FIA representing Time Machines Motorsport my Superformance Dealership and Riverside Racers, the Canadian distribution network for the approved Canadian starter kit.

The cars are NOT the previous US "HiTech" cars, the fact that the South African factory is named "Hi Tech Automotive" causes a lot of confusion. Not to take anything away from the previous HiTech cars from Tim Gunning.

Some of the components are the same, but everything else is done in South Africa. You will see the detail that has been built into the new Superformance FIA, details like a rolled lip on the fenders that feels like the wire bead on an AC aluminum body. Many small details have taken a lot of time and tooling to acheive.

And we are taking orders for the MK II street car that has been tooled and is starting production!

[crASH]

There was a Viking Blue roller at Olthoff's in NC a month or two ago. Looked great. I failed to ask an all important question for us big guys whiel I was there. With the original FIAs being somewhat shorter and narrower than the 427s, I wonder if the SPF FIA footbox and legroom are the same as the SPF 427s with the dropped footbox?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Ross will be at SAAC with an FIA representing Time Machines Motorsport my Superformance Dealership and Riverside Racers, the Canadian distribution network for the approved Canadian starter kit.

The cars are NOT the previous US "HiTech" cars, the fact that the South African factory is named "Hi Tech Automotive" causes a lot of confusion. Not to take anything away from the previous HiTech cars from Tim Gunning.

Some of the components are the same, but everything else is done in South Africa. You will see the detail that has been built into the new Superformance FIA, details like a rolled lip on the fenders that feels like the wire bead on an AC aluminum body. Many small details have taken a lot of time and tooling to acheive.

And we are taking orders for the MK II street car that has been tooled and is starting production!

Can't wait to see Ross again with his latest (IE: updated) rendition of the 289FIA


Bill S.

[LightNFast]

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[1985 CCX]

Rick,

HiTech confusion not exactly....
All in the definition of its origin? Credit should be given where it is due, at least that is what I think. Not my call though.

Regardless, Ross and crew did a great job with details as well as getting SPF to manufacture this awesome car, to bad its in another continent. Would be great to see the MFG plant first hand.

What is SAI going to do for 7000 series glass cars in the future? Will this new SPF be tagged CSX for their glass cars as their ally cars used to be KMS with small tax for the CSX#?

No negatives intended here, all great work from the many people involved in this project. The team that started this car through the floor tech who puts in the last screw before shipment should be proud, I know I would be.

[Ron Scarboro]

Originally Posted by LightNFast

I have one order also. If that is a factory photo, I wonder if the one to our left is mine (right color) and my build should be just ahead of yours.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by crASH

With the original FIAs being somewhat shorter and narrower than the 427s, I wonder if the SPF FIA footbox and legroom are the same as the SPF 427s with the dropped footbox?

No to the dropped footbox, BUT some creative engineering Port Elizabeth has come up with a pedal box that can provide additional leg room. The foot boxes are marginally wider than the AC versions, but to keep the proper look under the hood they could not be widened a lot. Some extra room was gained by reducing the space between the footbox outer and the front fender.

[LightNFast]

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[1985 CCX]

Tell Ross I want a ride in the show car!

[Ron Scarboro]

Originally Posted by LightNFast

Hey Ron,

That’s very cool! Yours must be SPFR 2001? And she appears to be Guardsman blue? Tell us more about it.

Also, my wife and I lived in the Raleigh area for about 13 years. It’s also where I built my first Cobra back in the mid 90’s.

I miss those short trips up to VIR… are you going up to meet Ross at SAAC-36?

Car is ordered from Rick and he sent me the chassis number, but I can't find it. Earlier this week Rick said it was out of build and he was expecting a photo of the striping.

Looking at the photo it does appear Guardsman Blue (so not mine). Mine is to be Viking Blue with roundels and a white FIA nose stripe.

The motor is built (325ci SBF w/Jim Inglese webers) and we're having some great weather here in NC, so the anticipation is mind bending. :-)

Best,

Ron

[Riverside racer]

I`ll do my best to keep a lengthy post short, so please bear with me.
Hi Tech America was Tom and Tim and is now no longer.Tim joined up with Mike to form Sagebrush roadsters in Casa Grande Arizona.Tom joined Shelby America and is still active on their production side.
In 1993 when Jim Price (Hi Tech Autos South Africa) decided to market his products in America the Hi tech name was already registered, thus Superformance was born. Later the retail side, ie Superformance, was sold to Lance. HiTech remains an independent car manufacturer building cars for anybody.Ie Rossion,Noble,Superformance/Shelby distribution, Perana,Riverside etc to name a few
In 1999 Jim bought in to AC cars and therefore has every single original drawing for the 289 and 427 cobra plus having the opportunity of working with the English craftsmen on the original bucks etc.
When I decided to build the FIA, whilst doing the research, an ad on Club Cobra appeared for the ex American Hi Tech FIA molds.I bought those plus a chassis plus a host of other fittings.It is a whole lot quicker to modify than build from scratch or so I thought! It still took forever! The best part of this encounter was that Tim was so very helpful and gave me access to pics and details that he had collected from working on these cars over the years.These proved to be a huge help in the detailing.Thank you Tim.This goes for a lot of other people who shared their knowledge and were prepared to discuss these cars with me. Thank you all
Hi Tech did the necessary measurements and changes deemed necessary ie rear fenders,hood,nose, door gaps and other necessaries for easier production and fitting.Then new moulds were made.
For the new 289 roadster I did exactly the same again.A splash off an early 260 was sent to Jim who then also gave it the same treatment. Wheel arch symmetry,ride height etc.All the originals differ and faults are quaint but on a reproduction are regarded as bad engineering! COB 6017 was used extensively for cross reference.Jim and his team have put a lot of thought and expertise into these products and I sincerely believe we now have a product that you can be proud to own.I most certainly am. Thank you one and all at Hi Tech.
Thanks for your offer Ron, but I don`t believe I need anything. Kind thought tho`.
Roy and I are trying our best to have the car running properly(WEBERS!!!)for VIR but either way I will be there and look forward to meeting you all.
I have requested pics of your car Ron (06) and some more of yours Kurt(02). Rodney says he will have one or two taken today
I hope this clears the Hi Tech question finally.
Regards
Ross

[Mark IV]

What Ross said!

When I say the new car is not the "old HiTech" car I did nopt mean to imply that there was no previous DNA in the new Superformance/Riverside. I meant that it is just not that product now being built in Port Elizabeth. Ross (and all involved) certainly appreciate all of the help given by Tim G. and the path they blazed.

As Ross said, this has been a multiple year project that has only now come to fruition. It was well worth it! The car is fantastic! Riding shotgun around the old street course at Watkins Glen proved that to me! I want one of our new "MK II Street 289" models for myself.........