Club Cobra - Superformance Group's South Africa Factory Visit

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- - Superformance Group's South Africa Factory Visit (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/superformance/103235-superformance-groups-south-africa-factory-visit.html)

As I have told Jim Price, when you see the complexity of the GT40 tub build, you wonder how it can be sold for the price!

Consider the number of stampings, the number of two sided stamping dies, the press required to stamp them and then the number of welds/fixtures/operations to put it together, it IS one amazing piece of work!

Add in all of the custom fabbed pieces, uprights, hubs, control arms, etc. and it gets more impressive.

Almost make one want to leave the paint off like a polished Kirkham.........if only it wouldn't rust..........................

Fantastic, please keep the pictures coming!

Regards.

Forming and Welding

Strolling past endless rows of buildings

You've always wondered how these seats and interiors are put together? One of the points I made while at the Factory in South Africa, was to find all about was how exactly the Superformance Softtops were made for each car. There has been a misconception that because the tops are all individually numbered, they are made to fit each individual car they are numbered for and can not be interchanged. Through years of experience, I have found that while there may be a few anomalies, but most soft tops are absolutely interchangeable and fit well from early to late model Mk-III's. And now visiting the factory, that fact has been confirmed. And here, is that story... Take a look:

01making_wiring_harnes

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ng_harness.jpg

02jig_wiring_harness

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ng_harness.jpg

03assembling_dash

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...bling_dash.jpg

04finished_dash

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...ished_dash.jpg

06cutting_material. The tops are made in the sewing room to very specific patterns...

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...g_material.jpg

05steel_seat_frames

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...eat_frames.jpg

07sewing_material. Then they are sewn into their finished shape...

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...g_material.jpg

09fitting_seat

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...tting_seat.jpg

08assembling_seat

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...bling_seat.jpg

10finishing_seat

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...shing_seat.jpg

12softparts4each_car_beingmade

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d..._beingmade.JPG

11test_jig_softtop_seats_interior. A final fittment is performed on their test jig in the sewing room where the snaps are fitted to the master jig...The side screen pins are fitted in each individual car door and tack welded into place on the car before final welding them into place on the bench. The side screen pins are made *to* each car, because there is just NO way to get the holes in the doors absolutely PERFECT for all three holes within 1/32" overall, due to the inherent "drill walk" during the drilling process and inserting the sleeves. That does not mean side screens from one car will not fit another, it just means some may not as easily in others and the pins can be easily bent to fit better in many cases in other cars. On the other hand, the soft top pin spacing can easily accept a 1/32" deviation very easily even though the drilling jig virtually eliminates any spacing deviation.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...s_interior.jpg

Great Pictures, I wish I could have been there!

Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by PANAVIA (Post 1036807)

Great Pictures, I wish I could have been there!

Steve

Ditto!! Keep em' coming. :D:D

Great assembly pictures.

JW

Talk about vertical integration! I'm surprised Jim Price doesn't have his own herd of cattle grazing in the backyard for future leather seats. :D

It's really great to see how well-oiled this machine truly is. I do wish they would improve the header ports and muffler flow though...that's one of the few beefs that I have with the overall construction.

-Dean

MKIII Seat detail shots

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggyman (Post 1036654)

05frame

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/9/05frame.jpg

Hmmm, this looks like the frame for a leaf-sprung Cobra. Is Hi-Tech also making CSX7000 and CSX8000 rollers for Carroll Shelby, in addition to the CSX4000/6000s? Or is this for a CSX9000 Daytona Coupe?

good eye Sundude . now you have me interested . Fingers crossed ....maybe its the 289 they were bringing out last spring .
SDR
________
Honda Aircraft Company Specifications

get down to the Mitty at Road Atlanta, first of May, you might see one in action

Now I'm really excited , Mr. Bruce you seem to know whats up any hints ?
SDR
________
Plymouth Plaza Specifications

Wow more !!!!!!!!!!!

sworn to secrecy, gave out enough hints already ( got pichers too, but will be eliminated if I sho them)

Peter Brock IS the honoree at the Mitty this year...
Really great photos of an impressive operation. Thanks!

Unfortunately it seems as if the secret is now out.The reason why this car was kept under wraps was when I initially approached Amy and Gary (Shelby America) in 2008 at Sema to produce the 289 and pay them royalties, they obviously needed something physical to approve. All sorts of research then took place, hence quite a few knowledgeable people sworn to secrecy This was done, so out of respect to Gary and Amy, they would be the first to inspect it and then on to Walter Mitty for general announcement. The global Economic picture also helped in slowing this more than somewhat. The little you are seeing are all protoype pics and are all that will be publicly posted until Amy and the two Gary`s have had a chance to check it over and hopefully approve csx status as well.Thanks to all for your generously given knowledge and for retaining your sworn secrecy which I ask you to retain until Shelby has inspected it.I`m positive you will be more than impressed with the finished article.
Regards,
Ross Henry

Superformance MKIII Assembly Photos