Superformance
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| Superformance LLC | |
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| Type | Privately Owned (since 2005) |
| Founded | 1996 by Jim Price |
| Headquarters | Irvine, CA |
| Key people | Lance Stander, Current CEO; Jim Price, Former President |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Products | Turnkey kit cars |
| Website | Superformance.com |
Superformance, LLC (Superformance Replicars) is a small American automobile company that builds, designs, and imports sports cars and replicars. The company was founded as "Superformance International" by Hi-Tech Automotive Ltd in 1996. Today, Superformance has 15 authorized dealers in the United States[1]and 6 international dealers. SPF cars are sold as "turn-key kit-cars" in the United States to bypass complex emissions and safety regulations. In December, 2005 Hi-Tech Automotive transferred the ownership of its subsidiary, Superformance, to the Hillbank Automotive Group, which is privately owned by Lance Stander.[2]
All Superformance cars are originally built at Hi-Tech Automotive's 270,000-square-foot (25,000 m²) plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa before they are disassembled for shipping.[3]
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[edit] Current models
As "kit cars", all models sold by Superformance are complete factory manufactured "rollers", only missing the engine and transmission. Individual Superformance dealers will install selected engines in the cars after the customer has bought the roller. example of a Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe "roller" immediately after being unpacked from its container.
[edit] Superformance Shelby Cobra MKIII
The Superformance Shelby Cobra MKIII (SPF MKIII) is a replica of a 3rd generation Shelby Cobra. The SPF MKIII makes up the bulk of the company's sales. The SPF MKIII is also one of the few Shelby Cobra replicas built under license from Carroll Shelby.
[edit] Superformance Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe
The Superformance Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe (SPF Coupe) (also known as the "Brock Coupe").
[edit] Superformance GT
The Superformance GT (SPF GT 40) is Superformance's newest model. The first SPF GTs to be built are replicas of the famous Ford GT40 MKII A that finished first, second, and third overall at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in 1966. The SPF GT differs from other Ford GT40 replicas in that it is the "only one to be built with a monocoque chassis that is an exact replica of the original".[4] In fact, over 90% of the SPF GT's parts are interchangeable with the original MKII A.[5] The SPF GT is so close to the original that it is currently being evaluated for historic racing eligibility.[6] Some major differences between the two cars include the addition of a hidden air conditioning unit, modern brakes, and a conversion to left hand drive layout. Right hand drive, non-airconditioned versions are available, although at a substantially higher price. The SPF GT has the "Gurney bump" as an option for taller drivers.
Upcoming versions will include the MKI and FIA versions.
[edit] Former models
[edit] Superformance S1 Roadster
The Superformance S1 Roadster (SPF S1) is a modern rendition of the Lotus Super 7. The S1 was specifically conceived to accommodate “6-foot 4-inch, 250-pound Americans,”[7] a feat that few Lotus 7 replicas could accomplish. Apart from the increased size, the S1 has several aerodynamically beneficial features, weatherproof soft top, windows, adjustable foot pedals, heated front windshield, primitive interior heating, as well as a 5 cubic-foot lockable trunk. Front suspension uses double A-arms, while the rear uses a solid axle controlled by a "Mumford link" with bel-crank operated coil-over shocks. The SPF S1s are generally powered by a version of Ford's 2.0L Zetec inline-4 and are usually naturally aspirated although a few supercharged examples were produced. A Ford "Type-9" 5-speed manual transmission is usually installed. [8] The production run of the S1 ended in 2004 after a total of 56 S1's were produced.
[edit] See also
- Carroll Shelby International
- Hi-Tech Automotive
- Noble Automotive Ltd
[edit] References
- ^ Superformance Official Website: Dealers Accessed Dec 28th 2006
- ^ Superformance Official Website: Lance Stander Buys Superformance International, Inc. Accessed Dec 28th 2006
- ^ Superformance Official Website: Factory Accessed Dec 28th 2006
- ^ "only production model to be built with a monocoque chassis that is an exact replica of the original" Accessed Dec 28th 2006
- ^ more citations of claim available Accessed Dec 28th 2006
- ^ autoblog.com Accessed Dec 28th 2006
- ^ All-New S1: 3rd paragraph Accessed Dec 28th 2006
- ^ Superformance S1 Roadster Accessed Dec 28th 2006
[edit] External links
- superformance.com - Superformance's Official Website
- ShelbyDistributionUSA.com
- Superformance Canada
- Second Strike - "The Superformance Owners Group"
- PR Newswire - "Carroll Shelby and Superformance International Settle Infringement Dispute"
- GT40-Tech.com A Wiki for sharing builds and information for Superformance GT40s
[edit] External links to test drives of Superformance cars
- Superformance GT tested by Fifth Gear.
- Road&Track Magazine reviews the SPF Coupe (3/2006).
- Fast-Autos.net road test of the SPF GT.
- SPF S1 Roadster reviewed.
