Superformance 289 MK II "Slabside" at Carlisle

[Jim Kellogg]

Beautiful!!!

I have been looking for some SPF slabside photos for a friend... do you mind if I use these ;-) Perhaps an engine bay and some suspension shots so we can see some more of that great craftsmanship?

Jim

[LightNFast]

I took a close look at the slabside during my visit to Pomona last weekend and I can tell you it’s simply stunning. It shows extremely well, even when surrounded by the original cars…. And that’s with the hood up too. If you’re interested in owning a Cobra that looks and drives like the original 289’s, I suggest you add this one to your must-see list.

[xb-60]

Looks nice, thanks for the pictures.
What instrumentation does it have? I think they are SWs, but the bezels look a little bulky and I can't quite make out the detail when I zoom up.
Colour is good too....is it Viking Blue?
Cheers,
Glen

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Looks nice, thanks for the pictures.
What instrumentation does it have? I think they are SWs, but the bezels look a little bulky and I can't quite make out the detail when I zoom up.
Colour is good too....is it Viking Blue?
Cheers,
Glen

Glen,

Yes, they are the vintage Stewart-Warners as used in the second production batch of 289s.

The color is not Viking Blue, it was intended to be Princess Blue but a glitch in changing from the PPG code to the Glasurit used at the factory resulted in an "offset" color from Volvo that is more of a "slate" color but still quite nice and very period. As the car was required to ship to Switzerland for showing there was not time to re-do the paint. I think we will get some orders for this color one it has been seen on the car!

Jim, I will forward full file of photos for the website shortly.....

Some pictures of the chassis delvelopment follow.

[london]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Glen,

Yes, they are the vintage Stewart-Warners as used in the second production batch of 289s.

The color is not Viking Blue, it was intended to be Princess Blue but a glitch in changing from the PPG code to the Glasurit used at the factory resulted in an "offset" color from Volvo that is more of a "slate" color but still quite nice and very period. As the car was required to ship to Switzerland for showing there was not time to re-do the paint. I think we will get some orders for this color one it has been seen on the car!

Talk about badge-engineering!

This looks like the same car that AC were showing at the Geneva Motorshow in March as the 'AC Mk11 Classic' - Superformance and AC both being built at Hi Tech.

Superformance:



AC

[Mark IV]

Londons post shows the difference that lighting/camera makes in color representation.

Yes, that is the same vehicle. In the EU the car is sold by "AC" as a complete, powered unit. Our chassis was used by AC for display at Geneva although it was actually a roller when shown.

As to "badge-engineering" once it becomes available as a Wollesley and a Morris, the marketing plan will be complete!

[london]

You gave the game away when you mentioned 'Switzerland'.


This raises a number of interesting issues on this side of the Pond.

Nigel Hulme and Rod Leach already sell the Superformance Mk111 in the UK which will be in competition with AC's MkV1. I wonder, given that Jim Price owns Hi Tech and is now on the board of AC Cars, whether they will be allowed to continue selling the Superformance car here.

I'm also wondering whether Mr Leach will be allowed to sell the Slabside as a Superformance badged car if AC are selling exactly the same car.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

.... once it becomes available as a Wollesley and a Morris....

....or an MG?

Cheers!
Glen

[Nedsel]

As to "badge-engineering" once it becomes available as a Wollesley and a Morris, the marketing plan will be complete![/quote]

I note that the car carries no Cobra or AC badges. Hopefully, this will allow a buyer to choose whichever he wants - be it Wollesley or Morris, whichever emblems look best with one's choice of color?