Shelby using Superformance?
 

:confused:I heard that Shelby is using Superformance out of South Africa to manufacture his "real" CSX Cobras. Is that true? Does that mean that Superformance' cars are now CSX's?? While his representatives seem to be filing suit against Factory Five for using replica and confusing brand infringments, he goes to another replica or should I say "roadster" manufacturer to build the fiberglass bodies? Not sure I understand that guy, but still gotta love the guy as a legend.

Shelby Autos uses Hi-Tech in South Africa to OEM the 'glas cars; they are built to Shelby's specs and are run on a different production line than the "other" Cobra that Hi-Tech manufactures, which is sold in the US as Superformance.

The Superformance replica is sold under license by Shelby Licensing, but only the contract cars built for Shelby Autos get CSX designations. And, again, they are different cars with different mechanicals.

I have seen an aluminum CSX car built by Superformance at Hillbank in Irvine Ca. The car was painted Silver, but was an aluminum body.

As Ron stated they are different under the skin, not sure about the body. The SPF cars still use, as far as I know a square tube frame and the Shelby cars use the classic parallel round tubes. The Daytona coupes are nothing more than a re-badged Brock coupe...which is only available now as a Shelby Daytona Coupe(there may be one more word in there somewhere). I still own a Brock Coupe. I understand they are getting ready to start delivering a Series 2 version of the Coupe( has power windows!!!)...not the same as in the other thread:)

The bodies on the CSX cars are different.

Yes, in December 2005 Shelby contracted Superformance to start building CSX chassis starting with CSX 4825.

In August 2003 at the Laguna Seca races, Shelby introduced his idea for glass CSX chassis (starting w/CSX4750) at the introductory price of $39,999. CAV in South Africa was contracted to build these chassis and went bankrupt in early 2004 after producing less than a dozen.

In late 2004, the HST Corporation was contracted to build CSX chassis in Tijuana, Mexico at their carbon fiber manufacturing facility. This facility was currently producing archery arrows and bicycle racing rims.

In true Shelby spirit, orders continued to come in and Shelby used customer’s money to fund the manufacturing process. The chassis price increased to $42,999. However, with the Mexico plant low on capital, parts were slow to arrive and only one chassis a week was rolling off the line. By June 2005, less than 50 chassis had been delivered. This caused Shelby to tap Superformce to build his CSX chassis in December 2005. Both HST and Superformance continue to build CSX chassis today.

The first Superformance built chassis (CSX4825) was delivered in August 2006. The Superformance built CSX chassis are all built to Shelby original specs. The body mold, frame, steering, brakes, and gauges (to name a few) for the Superformance badged chassis are not the same as the CSX chassis.

I can attest to this, too. The last time I checked (about one year ago), the difference in price between the SPF and CSX ('glass) rollers was in the neighborhood of $12K (give or take a couple).

-Dean

I've had a chance to see the CSX and SPF side by side at a dealer. I'd take the SPF in a heartbeat

ditto
 

ditto,ditto,ditto.

I live right down the road from Hillbank who sells both side by side. I'll take the CSX everytime.

Ditto, but only one is needed (ditto that is). :LOL:

Regardless, Ron's (Computerworks) answer was all that was necessary. The SPF versus Shelby stuff is superfluous.

There are a couple of aluminum SPF cars that were built. I don't think they ever went into to production though.
Larry

I believe that the silver aluminum car that you saw in Irvine was mine, CSX4400. Body and frame built by Kirkham then shipped to Hi-Tech in South Africa for paint and partial assembly, then on to Irvine and then to Shelby in Las Vegas for finishing work. Since delivery, I had the car stripped and did a complete color change.

:eek::eek::eek:

So your car started in Poland, went to Utah, then BACK to South Africa, then to Irvine and then Las Vegas????? Your car might be the most traveled CSX but no mileage on the odometer to prove it. :LOL:

Post some photos, please.

-Dean

Was it painted Mercedes silver? If so, then it was probably the same car. Lance talked about the paint being a special order. Very nice car BTW.

For those that would choose the SPF after seeing both, why did you reach that conclusion? I have a SPF, but have never seen a Hi-Tech CSX in person. What did you not like, or like less, about the CSX?

I think the big thing was the cost difference and that there was (at one time) a long lead time.

There are some things I like better on the CSX and other things I like better on the SPF. I prefer the SPF body over the CSX, although the CSX is more accurate. Not sure exactly how to explain it because the differences are subtle, but noticable.

One thing I did not like about the CSX car was the rubber on the windshield being glued (sp) to the body. After changing out a windshield on my car, I would hate to have to do the same on the CSX. The guys at Hillbank said it is a real pain in the ass.

Both are great cars though.

The gluing of the windshield must be on later cars, because my CSX's windshield rubber is not affixed to the body. I even clean under the rubber after putting some detailer on it. I agree with you both cars are nice and the differences, at least externally, are subtle.

Like Fat Bastard says in Austin Powers, "everyone likes his own brand best". But I don't think he was alluding to cars....lol.