Superformance Group's South Africa Factory Visit

[froggyman]

Attached it a photo of a little Lathe sitting in the hallway of
the factory entrance right across a display of all the parts Hi_Tech
makes from Scratch. According to one of the engineers there, we were
told an amazing little story.

"This little "Maximat V10" machine was Jimmy Prices first lathe in which he utilized to manufacture many parts for Hi-Tech and Superformance cars such as to machine fuel cap housings, suspension bushings, sleeves and basically any part that needed to be turned or milled. The purchase was about $263 back then. It was in use from 1990 through 2007 and was used exclusively up through 1998, or up to Mk-III chassis number 300-400. The original operator was Mike Kretchmer, and he operated the lathe all through his tenure with Jimmy, until he passed away in 2007. The last three or four years before his death which he was nearing the age of 80, he not only continued turning bushings and other pieces on his "little treasure", but in between he refurbished the little machine to its current pristine condition. The lathe is a living memory of Kretchmer, and evidence of the care and pride Jimmy Price, owner of Hi-Tech and the creator of Superformance, takes in all his equipment, his products and his employees."