289 ussrc/fia New Toy to own

[mk2gt40]

After years of deliberation, Jim Price of Hi- Tech Auto South Africa ( renowned manufacturer of the Superformance range,Rossion/Noble and the 4000 Shelby continuation series) and myself, have finally decided to go ahead with the 289 Riverside Fia/Usrrc style roadster project.
We will be trying to make the kit as affordable as possible whilst still maintaining the necessary level of engineering and fitment expertise that Hi -Tech have to offer the potential purchaser.What I mean by that is that the basic Riverside kit will be offered as a bare bones racer. ie Painted roller,Kwik jacks, painted dashboard with correct SW gauges, single seat ( period racing style) forward braced rollbar, le Mans style fuel fillercap with wind deflection shield, full windshield with the option of being able to lay it back flatter and pin drive Trigo fia rims.It will also come with heim jointed suspension as this allows for easier suspension settings.This was a period mod and although it might may be slightly harder/noisier, the joy of being able so set camber/castor without bending critical parts more than compensates. Who drives a car like this for those sort of comforts anyway?
The extra cost options would include:
1. Painted stripes,ID or full
2. Leather covered dash
3. Full upholstery ie slabside type seats, carpets, door panels etc
4. The larger racing fuel tank and brackets
5. Fuel switch over valve placed between drivers legs
6.Oil cooler and S/S flex piping (SBF)
7.Wiring option to include door number illuminating lights
8.Small racing screen
9.Brackets for mounting extra Raydot style mirrors on windshield
10.Tyres.Owner to choose from what`s available
11.Rivets on bonnet (hood)

I`m sure, and hoping, that you guys will come up with suggestions and these, depending on merit, could well be implemented depending on how far down the line we are.
From his involvement with AC cars in the late 90`s,Jim has all the original drawings and has actually seen one of the continuation AC fia`s been made on the original modified buck (rear fender). So most of the machining/manufacturing of uprights,transverse leaf springs etc will take place at Hi-Tech.
The chassis will not be triangulated like the coupe, purely because they never were made like that at AC ( easier enough to do) and also I believe it detracts from the cars original character. Good or bad! I`ve also specified SBF only as I believe, if you want bigger, buy bigger! Because of it`s power to weight ratio, plus it`s better balance, they more than hold their own against bigger brother.
To assist and help speed up proceedings, I bought a set of moulds from Tim and Mike at Sagebrush as well as a chassis ( set up and welded by Kris Kincaid) and sent them back to South Africa as a basis to measure ride height and track widths etc etc.against. Fender flares, bonnet air scoop ,the fitment of the body onto chassis, cut back doors etc all altered to our liking and all this has already been completed.
As far as pricing goes, this will be finalized closer to the time.Distribution will be handled by Mike and Tim on the lower West coast and hopefully Rick Muck on the upper East coast. I still have to finalize Canada as I have experienced major set backs here trying to import Shelby`s and Superformance kits.This was in fact one of the reasons which led to this project being undertaken.
Jim reckons he should hopefully have them ready by March next year, but in the meantime please feel free to to contact me with any questions or suggestions.
Ross

[froggyman]

Will this be offered through Superformance dealers?

Juan

[1985 CCX]

Sounds too good to be true!

It sounds like a KK frame, round 3" used as a base, will make this a true in spirit vintage race car. Raw and racy.... It also sounds like Sagebrush and Muck Motors are going to be the exclusive importer and dealerships?

Questions:
1) Will the frame be exact to that standard Kris makes now?
2) When are expected rollers going to be available in these two distribution points?
3) Will aluminum body be an option?
4) Will SPF quality be in all the chassis?
5) When?

[mk2gt40]

Jeff,
1. The chassis will be as per original drawings from AC. Having said that, the chassis that was sent back to SA turned out to be pretty good and great as a starting point to measure against.Changes were made to make it feasible for production,but I am trying my best to keep it visibly correct ie nibble marks on shock towers etc.
2. Hopefully March/June 2009
3.No aluminium at this stage.Decided to leave that to the specialists in that field.
4.Only Hi-Tech built. so build quality assured.
5. We are busy busy! asap!

Jean,
Lance and I are still discussing this presently. I will keep posting any new developments.

[froggyman]

Please keep us informed. There are a few of us that love the 289 FIA look and performance. Lance knows that I would love one of them.

Juan

[tnewland]

Don't forget the bungee cord plates. Tom


Professional driver. Closed course. Do not attempt.

[mk2gt40]

Tom,
Still looking for a suitable "clip" but will probaly end up turning them out of aluminium.
Ross

[G.R.]

those racing screens are great for the track, or "the look", but for a regular Joe primarily driving on the street all that wind blowing in your face on a cruise gets real old, real fast. And FIA cars were required to have full windscreens while USSRC were allowed the racing screen.
I've seen pictures from the era of "privateer" USSRC FIA type, ie. cutback doors,cars sans the "trunk bump" common to the team FIA cars.

[tnewland]

Originally Posted by mk2gt40

Tom,
Still looking for a suitable "clip" but will probaly end up turning them out of aluminium.
Ross

Ross, no need to turn anything. The bungee cord plates were simply stamped from 50 or 60 thousandths alloy sheet. Check the Kirkham website or Rinsey Mills' "AC Cobra". Tom

[1985 CCX]

ERA sells them for ~$20, I know at least one CSX comp car has steel washers, hardware store, as plates.

[Rick Parker]

I think they were made "In the day" from the washers normally used as the base for the hood handles.

[1985 CCX]

Mr Parker

I think you would be right on the $$$$.

[mk2gt40]

Does anybody manufacture the correct size oil coolers for both diff and motor?
Ross

[Rick Parker]

Try this on for size:
http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/parts/fiaoilcooler.html

Sit down and protect your wallet!

[mk2gt40]

Thanks Rick,
I`m actually looking for a local manufacturer who could possibly help.For the kits going to Britain I would get Gerry to supply,but those destined for here it would make more sense to source locally.
Any suggestions for which pump to use on diff oil cooler?
Ross

[mr bruce]

check with Mocal, they make the coolers I use on my FiA/USSRC cars. http://www.batinc.net/mocal.htm

[puppster]

Just wondering if there are any updates on this venture. I am always excited to see great new product come out, but understand that this is not the best time for launching a specialized offering. Best of luck of luck to all involved.

[Mark IV]

I'm sure Ross will reply, but the car is in the final prototype stages at Hi-Tech. I have seen the pictures and it looks GOOD!

[bdeutsch]

I know that at one point, there were discussions around Hi-Tech producing what is now the CSX 7000 series for Shelby (basic idea being a more affordable version than what is now produced/offered). Saw a few pictures of the prototype almost one-year ago (+/-).

Is this effort the spinoff of that earlier plan?

Thanks,

Bob

[CobraBoy]

Any news on this very exciting venture?

Paul