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Superformance builds a pretty high level car. I would put a period 377 cu in small block in it instead and it would be about as close to a streetable version of the real thing as you are going to get.
Maybe you should check with some of the owners of their Cobra "Replicas", Recreations", or whatever they call them, I know many in my Cobra Club that are not happy campers........
Maybe you should check with some of the owners of their Cobra "Replicas", Recreations", or whatever they call them, I know many in my Cobra Club that are not happy campers........
I own a Cobra Replica (not a Superformance) and frequent that forum (when it's working) and never really noticed more issues with Superformance than other manufacturers, especially considering their volume. They also retain a pretty high re-sell value after the initial new vehicle hit. They have had a couple of suspension issues in earlier models but I believe they addressed most of those issues. Can't really discuss drivetrain issues since except for the differentials the driveline is provided separately and installed by a separate party. And a lot of the trim and other parts used on replicas is basically 60 year old British sports car stuff that had about the same quality level as Lucus electronics and a half life of about 5 years. But a lot of people buy these replicas because they always admired them and think it will change their life or to scratch a mid-life itch, but they aren't really car people in a sense that they can maintain a car. So they write in to these forums about every little thing that pops up on the car which sort of gives a distorted picture.
I own a Cobra Replica (not a Superformance) and frequent that forum (when it's working) and never really noticed more issues with Superformance than other manufacturers, especially considering their volume. They also retain a pretty high re-sell value after the initial new vehicle hit. They have had a couple of suspension issues in earlier models but I believe they addressed most of those issues. Can't really discuss drivetrain issues since except for the differentials the driveline is provided separately and installed by a separate party. And a lot of the trim and other parts used on replicas is basically 60 year old British sports car stuff that had about the same quality level as Lucus electronics and a half life of about 5 years. But a lot of people buy these replicas because they always admired them and think it will change their life or to scratch a mid-life itch, but they aren't really car people in a sense that they can maintain a car. So they write in to these forums about every little thing that pops up on the car which sort of gives a distorted picture.
Roberto, the owner of the GS in the Power Tour video, just drove it from CA to NC within the past few days! My buddy Tom (Sky65) is there with him today. No issues on the trip and he had a great time on the Power Tour this year!
I own a Cobra Replica (not a Superformance) and frequent that forum (when it's working) and never really noticed more issues with Superformance than other manufacturers, especially considering their volume. They also retain a pretty high re-sell value after the initial new vehicle hit. They have had a couple of suspension issues in earlier models but I believe they addressed most of those issues. Can't really discuss drivetrain issues since except for the differentials the driveline is provided separately and installed by a separate party. And a lot of the trim and other parts used on replicas is basically 60 year old British sports car stuff that had about the same quality level as Lucus electronics and a half life of about 5 years. But a lot of people buy these replicas because they always admired them and think it will change their life or to scratch a mid-life itch, but they aren't really car people in a sense that they can maintain a car. So they write in to these forums about every little thing that pops up on the car which sort of gives a distorted picture.
I can't disagree with any of that. I purchased a CSX 7900 50th Anniversary FIA continuation series Shelby American Cobra, as I heard they are the most accurate and best made of any of the lot. But even it is a "Kit Car", with all the trials and tribulations attached to that, getting it titled, registered, and licensed is a cottage industry unto itself and not for the impatient or faint of heart. And yes, the mechanicals on the cars are a bear to deal with, as nothing is "production" and unless you are an excellent mechanic who has a broad range of skills, keeping them on the road is a nightmare. Mine had 4 Webers, and that by itself kept me up nights, literally........
I have owned 2 Superformance Cobras, one with a 302 Boss, and the other was a 522 big block Ford and was an absolute beast. Never had any issues with either one, Superformance / Hi-Tech in South Africa build fabulous and very high Quality cars. I am keeping an eye out for a GT40 Mark I Superformance car right now.
Back in the early 90's I built three Cobra replicas (an ERA and two Uniques - the only two bodies at the time with the correct shape and proportion), and I built D&D Grand Sport #37 in 1994-95 - totally impractical but MARVELOUS cars. There's something you just never forget about a 2200# tube-frame car with 450hp!
There's something you just never forget about a 2200# tube-frame car with 450hp!
Occasionally I stray from Corvette restorations by building a Cobra or something else I desire. My last "creation" (not Corvette or Cobra) weighed in at 2050 lbs. with 398.9 HP on the dyno. The most common remark at car shows is "That must be insanely fast". My reply is always "if I had this car 40 years ago, I'd have been dead for the past 40 years".
I own a Cobra Replica (not a Superformance) and frequent that forum (when it's working) and never really noticed more issues with Superformance than other manufacturers, especially considering their volume. They also retain a pretty high re-sell value after the initial new vehicle hit. They have had a couple of suspension issues in earlier models but I believe they addressed most of those issues. Can't really discuss drivetrain issues since except for the differentials the driveline is provided separately and installed by a separate party. And a lot of the trim and other parts used on replicas is basically 60 year old British sports car stuff that had about the same quality level as Lucus electronics and a half life of about 5 years. But a lot of people buy these replicas because they always admired them and think it will change their life or to scratch a mid-life itch, but they aren't really car people in a sense that they can maintain a car. So they write in to these forums about every little thing that pops up on the car which sort of gives a distorted picture.
Originally Posted by JohnZ
Back in the early 90's I built three Cobra replicas (an ERA and two Uniques - the only two bodies at the time with the correct shape and proportion), and I built D&D Grand Sport #37 in 1994-95 - totally impractical but MARVELOUS cars. There's something you just never forget about a 2200# tube-frame car with 450hp!
John - ill never forget the sight of #2 parked in front of the Conner Avenue plant the day I took a tour!
I recently sold my Cobra replica but I've been a regular on one of the Cobra forums for about 15 years. Over that time I've seen Superformance become the dominant brand that is widely praised for the quality of its cars. I've also seen the typical owner go from a gearhead who could tune his own carburetor to casual car folks who can't tell what engine is in their car just by looking. I have no doubt their Grand Sport replicas can fill the same niche for Chevy lovers.
My only comment about the Superformance GS replica is that I find it interesting that they chose to replicate not the true Grand Sports that were pure race cars. Rather they chose to replicate the streetable GS replicas built by folks like JohnZ. In other words they build replicas of replicas. I don't say that to denigrate their product. But its not unlike the folks who marketed replicas of the Mustang Eleanor that was itself a modified replica of an earlier Eleanor from an earlier movie. There's nothing wrong with that. I just find it interesting.
There should be a forum for the kit cars, since this is not a C2 Corvette by any stretch of the imagination. It is also not a resto-mod of an original C2, it needs a separate place for people that want kit cars. It should be moved to "Other Cars".
There should be a forum for the kit cars, since this is not a C2 Corvette by any stretch of the imagination. It is also not a resto-mod of an original C2, it needs a separate place for people that want kit cars. It should be moved to "Other Cars". Moderators, please take action here......
We discuss plenty of non C1/C2 stuff on this forum. We discuss them as C1/C2 owners with common interests and GS replicas are one of those interests. If you don't want to read or discuss them don't look at the GS threads. Pretty simple.
Moderators, please leave this thread where is so I can find it.
01-03-2018, 03:48 PM
Take a Gander at Superformance's 1963 Grand Sport
Occasionally I stray from Corvette restorations by building a Cobra or something else I desire. My last "creation" (not Corvette or Cobra) weighed in at 2050 lbs. with 398.9 HP on the dyno. The most common remark at car shows is "That must be insanely fast". My reply is always "if I had this car 40 years ago, I'd have been dead for the past 40 years".
