Club Cobra - Being from South Africa doesn't make someone Superformance

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Hersh, WELL SAID! You have a way with the words my friend. Well done. They are REPLICAS, room for 100 more, each getting better as time and technology moves on. Let's drive em and enjoy the smiles they bring to people.
Bob

I still think this is the dumbest thread yet.... (and I'm still posting on it) I'm going back to my old job in rocket science...

Is the message --that if you have a good product and react to customers needs and charge a decent price you'll succeed?

and if you don't do the above things you will probably go out of business??? DUHHH!

"STOP THE PRESS" New business philosophy proposed by rocket scientist.

:MECOOL:

Only my feelings on this thing...but we all know SAI went after FFR and SPF in a big way, SAI settled with FFR on terms that allowed FFR to continue making its cars, and SPF beat SAI and continues making its cars. SPF, Rosen, the Otloffs (I apologize for any misspellings), Top of the Hill in the Bay Area, and many others in the SPF camp have delivered great product with great service. Now, SAI having failed to litigate FFR and SPF out of business (and if you think that's an exaggeration, read the pleadings..."destroy molds" pretty much says it all), has seen how cost-effective SPF's manufacturing site is, WITH great quality, and has decided to adopt ("copy?, "duplicate?", "counterfeit?") a similar strategy. So, at least with respect to SAI's new strategy, and I had an SPF car and a few years history in this crazy addiction of ours, I'd be somewhat pissed. That doesn't mean that SAI doesn't have the right to learn from competitors; also, having seen the CAV 40 car in person, it is likely the CSX rollers will be of very high quality. SPF has a great following and no doubt will adapt, as great competitors do, to the latest SAI strategy. SAI will undoubtedly sell a fair number of its CAV-built cars. Personally, it is hoped SAI will stick to competing in the marketplace. As others have said already, the market should be able to accomodate both offerings, along with those of many of the other outfits.

TT

No Mystery here guys, I've always been an open book, but always hesitate before wading into a lake full of alligators. I AM a Superformance dealer and speak only for myself and no one else. I only type what I would say to anyone's face within a calm discussion, and I will not entertain or respond to anything that is not a just reasonable post or concern, in my opinion. The court system has me scared to put on my shoes in the morning.

Mike, I applaude you, and I certainly know why you have choosen to post so few times. Over 60 reponses so far and no one has questioned the accuracy of the facts as you have stated them. I too know these facts as I spent ten days in South Africa also. It's all about the Mystery? Luckily, some like Tom T., Gary Osborne, Late Apex and Toy Collectior understand.

There are over 2000 people out there that have read this so far and most of them have the intelligence to read between the lines and pick out the true educated posts.

This is not about who builds the better car. Or "my car is better than your car". It should be about who has the best business plan to fill the needs of the marketplace. People should look at what is FACT, proven successes of either companies and what is HYPE and SPIN. Most all companies have a track record, past history of business practices that should follow them in this free entrerprise we enjoy. The good are rewarded with success and prosperity while the bad are penalized by their faulterings. As long as the consumer seeks out the truths and does not succumb to the slick salesmen, HYPE, promises etc. This is true in any Sale transaction.

If Mike's post moves someone to ask more questions and get more definative answers, before plunking down their hard earned money on their dream car. What is the harm?

Doug Reed, Reed Performance Motorsports
New Orleans

Some of the others from South Africa will have a harder time finding their niche in the market, getting their dealers lined up etc. But the product from these other companies appears to be good, and the price is right. Time will sort out the good from the also ran, and SPF is a "big dog" in the market!

SAI has all ready established their infra-structure here and has a great brand name. Thats a major advantage in itself, they too are "big dogs".

I don't see SAI as copying anybody's market strategy, if it's logical to build in South Africa, do it! If you can do it cheaper in Ireland, do it there. We live in a global market, businees will "migrate" to where the labor force is priced right and the product can be delivered in quantity and quality.

It looks to me like what Mike is saying is: SPF is on the move! Quality is an important aspect of that. They are well positioned there and here. They will continue to be the leaders far into the future and will remain so. Perhaps..........but

Don't under estimate your opponent(s). SAI (for one) will be a fierce competitor. The market will decide in the fullness of time.

Ernie

Doug,

Thanks. I can appreciate SPF's business model and I certainly like the cars. The issue with Mike's post is the dubious claim that SPF is the only true SA manufacturer. (Go back to the "Superman" allegory.)

While SPF may have an original business model, Mike is copying CS' tactics when he claims that SPF is the true original SA replica and everyone else is a copycat. I wish CS and Mike were both more like Jim Hall and let the cars do the talking; contrary to your post, I think it IS about who builds the better car. Tell me what's good about SPF and assume that I'll figure out your value proposition vis-à-vis the competition. Sniping at other manufacturers only cheapens the brand.

Re: Being from South Africa doesn't make someone Superformance

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Stenhouse

Mike wrote,
I can wear tights and a cape, but that doesn’t make me Superman. Being from South Africa doesn’t make someone Superformance.

Comment By Hersh
Yes, and putting Shelby emblems on any replica doesn't make it a Shelby either.

Mike wrote:
A number of replica manufacturers have sprung up in South Africa recently, hoping I suspect to imitate the success of Superformance. Even Carroll Shelby has turned to South Africa. An interesting concept isn't it. Carroll Shelby copying Superformance.

Comment: By Hersh,
Now this is interesting to say the least. You say CS is copying Superformance. How would you know that companies projected plan of business? To assume it was taken from SPF is a bit of a stretch. Hundreds of companies do business there because of economics.

Mike wrote,
And while imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, it is not always an easy road. Thomas Edison said that, "Genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration." And so it is with success. The imitators will first have to copy Superformance's game plan. Then they will have to do the hard part - the work. The game plan is easy to get. It is published in Superformance advertising. Build what the customers want - a product of superior quality delivered complete and on time at a fair price. Maintain honest and fair dealings with customers and suppliers alike. Simple, just not the norm.

Comment: By Hersh,
So here again we are to assume that only a small portion of replica manufacturers have fair dealings with customers because you say it's "just not the norm". Mike this is shear folly. It's an insult to all those in this business that try hard everyday to make their customers happy.

Mike wrote,
The hard part is that perspiration part. Superformance has been executing their plan for ten years now. It takes a long time and a considerable investment in time and money to put the infrastructure in place to design, manufacture, distribute, sell, and service 700 complete rolling chassis a year. Superformance has done it and done it well. They have the right plan and they have consistently executed well against that plan year in and year out. They have built a substantial manufacturing capability - a 240,000 square feet facility with 630 employees - trained, skilled, and dedicated employees with an established track record for producing quality products on spec and on time. They have a worldwide network of dedicated full time single product dealers who provide both sales and service. They have a factory sponsored dealer support organization backing the dealers up with a parts warehouse and technical support. And best of all they have a substantial customer base of enthusiastic and loyal customers who love their cars and don’t mind saying so.

Comment By: Hersh,
And if any other manufacterer who desires to do the same thing is an imitator? All of SPF attributes are well known as well as their successes in the Cobra replica industry. There happens to be many small family run manufacturers out there that choose not to be the big company that SPF became.

Mike wrote,
How do I know this? I have seen the results. I own a Superformance and have the great pleasure of living with the quality of their work for six years now. My car has 30,000+ miles on it, including 1,500+ track miles and several trips to the drags. I don’t own a trailer. I drive to the track, run it, and drive it home. I run the same stock setup on the track that I run on the street. No special tires, no special suspension pieces or settings. It is always at the head of the pack. I know it isn’t the driver so it must be the car.

Comment By: Hersh,
Mike there are several other members on this forum that have other replicas and feel the exact same way you do about their Cobra. I too have over 51,000 miles on my Midstates that I built in 1987. I have nothing but high praise for SPF as a fine Replica but so to for my Midstates and many of the other brands.

Mike wrote:
Even with long miles and hard driving, the car remains as solid, tight, and reliable as the day I bought it. My wife Pat and routinely take our car on vacation, weekend road trips, and day trips. I have so much confidence in it that I would not hesitate to drive it across the country this afternoon. It is everything I could ask for - strikingly beautiful, exceptional quality and attention to detail, stunningly quick, as solid and reliable as a block of steel. Best car I have ever owned, and I’ve had some nice ones.

Comment By Hersh,
You see ! You're a satisfied customer and SPF is thrilled that you have climbed to the top of the hill and proclaimed as much with a great testimonial.

Mike wrote,
Having seen the factory where it was made, I can understand why. I spent two weeks in South Africa this spring with Jim Price, founder and president of Hi-Tech Automotive, the manufacturer of Superformance. I had full access to every area of the facility from design to shipping and free access to all personnel. These guys are for real. And man, are they good. No one else has had the vision to do what they have done. And no one has come anywhere close on execution. They are successful for one reason. They have earned it.

Comment By: Hersh,
Cape Advanced Vehicles comes to mind. They have proven themselves to be a player in this market by producing a GT40 first and now they are expanding their lineup with the addition of a CSX Cobra. Kudos for them! Those that work hard and put out the 90% persperation from good insperation get the brass ring.

Mike wrote:
So if these imitators can find the will and the sweat and the money to spend the next ten years getting to where Superformance is today, they will still be ten years behind. Because Superformance is on the move. In terms of manufacturing capabilities, number of employees, and cars produced, the factory is three times as big as it was when I first met Jim Price in 1998. And the pace is picking up.

Comment By: Hersh,
Old Henry Ford started the production line concept and then all them imitators like Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler, and many others started doing it. Yep! they done went and stole ole" Henry's idea.
But Ole' Henry is still number one today in the Global community.

I wish all the SPF dealers and Jim Price all the success he can handle.

I posted this in response to Doug's post that some of us missed Mike's point. Sometimes I'm just not very good at reading between the lines but I shouldn't have to be. If you post something make it as clear as possible for all of us thick heads out here.:D Then maybe you won't find four pages of people responding in an indifferent way.

Dream Master wrote:
This is not about who builds the better car. Or "my car is better than your car". It should be about who has the best business plan to fill the needs of the marketplace. People should look at what is FACT, proven successes of either companies and what is HYPE and SPIN. Most all companies have a track record, past history of business practices that should follow them in this free entrerprise we enjoy. The good are rewarded with success and prosperity while the bad are penalized by their faulterings. As long as the consumer seeks out the truths and does not succumb to the slick salesmen, HYPE, promises etc. This is true in any Sale transaction.

Comment By: Hersh,
Doug I agree with the statement about what people should look at as far as facts and so on but why did Mike expound on the qualities of his SPF if it wasn't a reference to what he thought was the best?
Success of a company does not mean that it has to become a giant in the industry. Many small shops such as ERA are quite happy to be where they are. Yes, They are imitators of a product that Carrol Shelby once produced just as SPF and all the others are.

I do hope that you guys don't take my comments as inflammitory.
If there is something that I don't understand then please enlighten me.

Hersh:)

As a new Performance Car ( South Africa) Cobra owner I had to add my two cents. I bought mine to drive till I die. I could care less who made it when I see another Cobra. As far as I'm concerned he must be having as much fun as I'am. I live 8 miles from ERA and would have to wait till I was to old to drive the ERA before I could afford it. My Performance Cobra has 700 miles on it in 6 weeks. Pull up next to me in your Cobra, whatever brand and thumbs up to you.
joe

Quote:

Originally posted by Dream Master

Mike, I applaude you, and I certainly know why you have choosen to post so few times.

Why has Mr. Stenhouse posted so few times?
I think that any post that can get this many looks, responses and opinions is just what this forum needs. I would like to see Mr. Stenhouse post here more often. When I was looking at the SPF cars, the back issues of "Second Strike" were a great help in my research. I was looking forward to joining the SCOF, also.
I know Rocket Scienists(did I spell that right? I ain't no....well, you know:D ) are busy, but I for one would welcome Mr. Stenhouse's input into OUR little forum.

What I don't understand is why on the SCOF website you cannot view the cars for sale section. Don't they want the rest of us to buy one????

http://www.animationusa.com/picts/hbpict/mutt.jpg

Bill S.

Mr. Bill, perhaps they are trying to keep out the riff raff?;)

Easy now,,,no need to bash the SCOF or SPF group or owners.

,,,,but this did prompt a funny picture in my mind, sometimes you gotta laugh at yourself.

Advertising only to other SPF owners is kinda like marrying your cousin. LOL

Ernie

C'mon guys. I live too close to the KY border for that to be funny.

http://www.angelfire.com/tv/smurfygirl6/laughing.jpg

Quote:

Originally posted by TomH

C'mon guys. I live too close to the KY border for that to be funny.

I myself love Cobras and feel all cars represent the true reason many of us are in this: To feel the power and expression of a true 60s performance car! Some can spend $ 15K and some $ 500K but it's what you like and can afford. I've looked at many and could buy most, but now finishing my 4th and except for my first entry car in 1993, the past 3 have been Superformance. Love the cars, the value and dealers.

Saw this little statement which kind of expresses SPF's take;

__________________________________________________

“Mike: What about the recent and sudden influx of other South African replica manufacturers into the US market?

Jim: These small operations have taken note of our success and believe they should get into the same business. I have no problem with that - competition is a fact of business life. We do, however, have a problem when the facts are misrepresented in order to try and gain a competitive edge. You have seen for yourself what our capabilities are. It is, of course, upsetting when others try to create the illusion that their product is equal to ours.

For instance, a recent new Cobra replica contender from SA does not have a manufacturing plant, they have no real technical engineering capabilities in house, and they did not design the vehicle they offer in the US. They purchase locally made kits from Kit Car Centre, assemble them and paint them. The body is a splash of the UK-made DAX from many years ago. The BMW 3 series suspension components they use were never designed for a sports car like the Cobra.

Another manufacturer in Cape Town was started by a friend of mine, to build GT 40 replicas. In the early days we helped them out with advice and parts. Andre sold out and some of his employees decided not to go with the new management. I decided to bring our own GT program forward, and employed those people. That is why I established the satellite plant in Cape Town.

Earlier this year they employed three of our workers who had at that time already left our employ, and had been replaced. Although they had a headhunter offer employment to other senior Hi-Tech employees, none accepted. They can hardly impact on our business, nor can they emulate our performance. As a matter of fact, we build more cars in two days than they build in a month. None of our competitors has the capabilities, infrastructure and capital to compare with us. No other company in this field can provide a comparable product, sell it at the same price that we do through a network of dedicated dealers, offer a comparable level of service, and make a profit. It cannot be done. We can do it because of our infrastructure and our volume. We are able to do just about everything in-house, thereby reducing costs and improving quality and supply. That, and our volumes - now approaching 700 units per year.”

__________________________________________________

Something to keep in mind when your putting down a deposit on a car you have not even seen yet!

Gary,

Jim's comments remind me of some of Shakespeare's best work.

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale..."

You know the rest.

can't we all just get along....

RF,

Ummm, I think that's the point to the "true believers." Competition is a good thing (improves the breed" and all that kind of nonsense.)

If the focus was really on business models and supply chains, this would be Club Lumina. Shelby would never have left the Venice garage, as Ferrari's strength was an irrefutable fact. Jim Hall would have stayed in Midland and forgotton about the friviolity of his Chaparral concepts for the same reason.

Lucky for us, they knew that it's all about the cars.