Buying a High Tech

Kasi · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 12:23 PM

Hi Guys
I'm looking at this car for some time now and really like it
http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...uct=1374&cat=2

I did some research over here and cannot find much info on them only that those are real close to original and that the company is out of business .....
What do you Cobra Pros think about buying this car .
Pleas let me know your opinion ( the Good ,The Bad, and the Ugly )

How difficult is it to get spares for a car like this in case something happens with front or rear suspension etc......

I was looking for the Right FIA but cannot find the rightb car so i was thinking the the High Tech is a really nice Cobra to Buy and Bring it to Aruba .

Thanks for your Opinion

Karsten
Aruba

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 12:57 PM

Hi Techs are generally a very well done replica, accurate to original specs. BUT not all of them are, like many replicas they were produced in a wide range of specs so you have to consider each car on an individual basis. While SOME, very few, were alloy most were not and glass cars did not contain any substantial alloy body pieces. Some have a solid rear axle, typically a Ford 9". While certainly strong it's hardly period correct. Many, if not most, had a 427 side oiler, which is very cool. Some had 'other engines', a substantial penalty for a car with a reputation for generally being 'accurate'. With an engine other than a side oiler and a 9" Ford rear end and a glass body that should make for a very attractive price. "Parts" shouldn't be anymore difficult to obtain than for most other older replicas.

I don't know all the specs for the car your looking at, glass or alloy, IRS or live axle. It does have a 460, which would be a deal killer for me, UNLESS it was indeed a great price. Hi Techs LOOK right and thats a huge plus factor for the car's in general.

Kasi · #3 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 01:06 PM

This Car have a n independent rear with 6 pin drive with large willwoods and large spinners it is a Fiber car with lots of Aluminum on it ,Engine is a 460 BB with a Top Loader I got lots of pictures from the seller it looks real clean like new and very well cared for he says it is pretty close done after the original 427.
I have the funds, there is the car and I don't now what to do

Kasi · #4 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Hi Techs are generally a very well done replica, accurate to original specs. BUT not all of them are, like many replicas they were produced in a wide range of specs so you have to consider each car on an individual basis. While SOME, very few, were alloy most were not and glass cars did not contain any substantial alloy body pieces. Some have a solid rear axle, typically a Ford 9". While certainly strong it's hardly period correct. Many, if not most, had a 427 side oiler, which is very cool. Some had 'other engines', a substantial penalty for a car with a reputation for generally being 'accurate'. With an engine other than a side oiler and a 9" Ford rear end and a glass body that should make for a very attractive price. "Parts" shouldn't be anymore difficult to obtain than for most other older replicas.

I don't know all the specs for the car your looking at, glass or alloy, IRS or live axle. It does have a 460, which would be a deal killer for me, UNLESS it was indeed a great price. Hi Techs LOOK right and thats a huge plus factor for the car's in general.

He wants 55 K with the with the 460 BB

blykins · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 01:54 PM

Nothing at all wrong with a 460...

Kasi · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 02:26 PM

How about this one looks clean to
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...3756.m14.l1318

I never thought that buing a Cobra can be so complicated

And I want one

TButtrick · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasi

How about this one looks clean to
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...3756.m14.l1318

I never thought that buing a Cobra can be so complicated

And I want one

That looks to be a B&B. Two totally different animals. The High Tech is a much more desirable car if done right. If I may suggest, take your time and do your homework. Get to know all there is about all of the offerings. The good, the bad, the difference. If you don't know the difference between the High Tech and the B&B, you have much to do and there is a bunch of well informed people here who are willing to assist. Take your time and ask questions.

Kasi · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TButtrick

That looks to be a B&B. Two totally different animals. The High Tech is a much more desirable car if done right. If I may suggest, take your time and do your homework. Get to know all there is about all of the offerings. The good, the bad, the difference. If you don't know the difference between the High Tech and the B&B, you have much to do and there is a bunch of well informed people here who are willing to assist. Take your time and ask questions.

I'm Happy to get all the assistance i need from the Nice Folks of this Forum, I come from the Porsche side of the car world but always wanted a Cobra in my Garage to.

Thanks for all the Input I really appreciate it !!!!!

Kasi · #9 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TButtrick

That looks to be a B&B. Two totally different animals. The High Tech is a much more desirable car if done right. If I may suggest, take your time and do your homework. Get to know all there is about all of the offerings. The good, the bad, the difference. If you don't know the difference between the High Tech and the B&B, you have much to do and there is a bunch of well informed people here who are willing to assist. Take your time and ask questions.

In the description of the car they say ( quote )(The body and frame where manufactured by Specialty Motor Cars in Arkansas ) I did a surge but nothing comes up .

KarlCSX2498 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 04:03 PM

hey, this is a great place for you to search out info, computerworks, mickmate, excaliber and a lot of others know the replicars inside out. take your time and try to get the car you want the first time.

we are on the porsche & cobra sides. we just bought a '02 3.6 RS race car a couple months ago. my dad wants to rejoin the pc events asap.
photos in my gallery, good luck, karl

Kasi · #11 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 04:15 PM

Thanks Karl
Nice Ride the RS the a Ring Tool

Red S/C · #12 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 04:20 PM

If your looking at a HiTech built in Arizona by Tim Gunning, it will be a very accurate vehicle and a very desirable replica. It will have a HTM65C---- serial number on it.

mickmate · #13 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 04:20 PM

That is Craigs car. I talked to him today and couldn't believe that hasn't sold yet. He put the car together and is a talented Kiwi car guy. Let's look at just one aspect, the tank. Hand made aluminum 45 gallon, baffled and from 3/16", leak tested like the aircraft he used to work on. He took some time getting all the right parts together for this car and the results speak for themselves. Keep checking around but I think you'll find a Hi Tech is a high watermark amongst the replicas. Post on here if there's someone in an area that can go check on a car for you. Good hunting.

1985 CCX · #14 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 05:39 PM

I agree with what has been said, This car should have sold by now, I thought about selling mine just to buy this one. Nice example of a HT car. 3016 paint scheme as well.

Nude interior, LOVE IT!

Excaliber · #15 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 08:05 PM

I was offered a Hi Tech shortly before I bought my ERA. The Hi Tech had a real deal dated coded 1965 427 side oiler, to me, the 'holy grail'. A stunning car and very well done to 'period correct' but with one fatal flaw. The live axle 9" rear end, everything else was perfect, but I continued to search. For myself, I simply HAD to have IRS and a side oiler, nothing less would do. My friend bought the Hi Tech and later sold it to another friend. I've now followed that car through THREE owners, all of them loved it! I even work on it from time to time and DO admire it's build quality and accuracy. Now if it just had IRS I might be the most recent owner...

Red S/C · #16 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 09:33 PM

There were no live axle cars made by Gunning in Arizona, all of Tim's cars were IRS. There were a number of people making kits under the name Hi Tech, so you need to see who's Hi Tech it was..

kris-kincaid · #17 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 02:31 AM

Red S/C, they made a few of them, but Tim was pretty much responsible for going all out on the authentic detailing that Hi-Tech was known for.

Here is a live axle Hi-Tech, probably the one in Hawaii.

kris-kincaid · #18 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 02:32 AM

There is no way you could duplicate this car for the money he's asking. It's definitely worth the money.

Kasi · #19 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 06:28 AM

I ask the Seller all of the open questions so lets see what comes up I will keep you posted .

Dammmm I like the car

Thanks for all the input !!!!!

Karsten

Buzz · #20 (**permalink**) 07-16-2008, 07:20 AM

Kasi, like others have stated, the opportunity to own a good example of a Hi Tech replica does not come often and should be seriously considered. For the most part, they are far and away a cut above most other manufacturers and one of the most accurate and correct looking Cobras outside of the originals.

A few - probably due to the requests and actions of the owners - may have been sub-par in final execution, but mainly they are as good as it gets in the replica business and it sounds like the owner of this car did an exceptional job. The glass bodies were superb looking and were available with aluminum doors, hood and trunk. Frame and suspensions were accurate with many parts interchangeable with the original cars. I'd take one with a 460 in a heartbeat. If you want to be true to the originals the additional amount he is asking for the sideoiler seems reasonable.

Ernie, you really shoulda bought that other car and swapped out the rear axle, buddy!

BTW there is a fella in Aruba who built a beautiful Unique Motorcars Cobra a few years ago. Aruba isn't that big so you should know him. I think his name is Andre and he also had a pro stock race car. He might be a good person to talk to as he seemed to have done his homework when he made his purchase and detailed his build.

I'm in St. Lucia so I'm looking forward to an addition to the family of Caribbean Cobras. Good luck. Buy the Hi Tech.