Some interesting Aspects Comparing Superformance Mark-III's to the Vintage car…

BODYS: The original vintage bodies were made from light weight aluminum, which was then, and still is now, extremely expensive to manufacture. These bodies had to be finished by hand, and were fastened by a series of rivets along the frame rails. You can imagine the strange noises and evil squeaks that can come from hundreds and hundreds of loosening and stretching rivets. Besides all that, just laying a heavy wash towel on the fragile alloy body would bring on heart stopping fear to the owner, let alone from seeing some unsuspecting soul in the process of planting their rear on your currently unbuckled fender! The Superformance uses hand layered fiberglass for extra strength and rigidity, which also helps greatly in keeping the frame stiff and in line during hard cornering. The body is attached using a composite adhesive for a completely sealed and noise free attachment.

FRAMES: The original vintage frames were initially intended to handle the relatively low 85 horsepower A.C. inline 6-cylinder engine, and later modified to handle the Ford 260 V-8 over 30 some years ago. Big bulky pipes and cross tubes were added to try and strengthen the poorly designed frame, by today's standards. As a result, the handling potential was less than spectacular, and 60's  racer Bob Olthoff has been quoted as saying "the frames were accurate within two yards" in regard to their inherent flex. In contrast, the Superformance space-aged designed, lightweight and incredibly strong square tube frame system allows even the highest horsepower big blocks to put the power to the ground with ease. Much increased safety and reliability will trade off only a few extra gained pounds that boost the vintage car's weight by a mere 400 hundred pounds or so.

INTERIORS: The vintage cockpits were hot, smelly and harbored tight quarters for the driver, and especially the seldom carried passenger. These primitive conditions made driving the vintage car not as much of a relaxing ride, as it was "an experience." The Superformance Mark-III's have extra room, insulated panels and sealed interior compartments. These important features make for an enjoyable environment that you'll find yourself being hardly able to wait to drive your Superformance again.

ENGINES: The vintage publicly sold cars rarely came with the 427 cubic inch engine. In fact, the scarcity of that engine back then, promoted  the use of the more plentiful 428 version, and even some 390's. Therefore the "427", with it's wide rear fenders, is really a moniker describing the "body style", rather than the powerplant specifically. Therefore, installing different engines is really not as distasteful as one might have thought. Previous versions came with everything from the 221, 260 and 289 small blocks, and even some 325 "stroker" small blocks in the 60's.

BODY STYLES: A noticeable difference between the vintage early Small Block and later Big Block body style was the shape and size of the opening of the "mouth" leading to the radiator. The BB style was notably larger with more of an oval shape as compared to the relatively smaller SB opening which looked more like a "D" lying on it's back. Also, the BB rear fenders are much wider, protruding from the body line, whereas the SB fenders are much sleeker and more in-line with the body line.

The difference between the vintage "Street" version and the "Semi-Race", is primarily it's original intent- The "Street" version was for the road, and the "Semi-Race" for competition. By definition, any "Roadster" is a side-windowless, topless vehicle. Even though the vintage cars came with a top, the side windows were considered 'curtains', which were affixed to the door and did not roll up or down. The vintage "Semi-Race" version typically came with a pair of "quick-jack" mounts both front and rear, instead of bumpers. They also did not come with a glove box among other things, and the dash layout and gauge configuration was somewhat different as well. "Semi-Race" versions typically carry the double wide broad stripe down the middle as well.

A FINAL NOTE ON VINTAGES CARS VERSUS MODERN CARS: Make no mistake about it. The vintage cars are the real deal.. The vintage cars are to be both revered and respected, for if it were not for it's birth, the later cars may never existed. However, a well designed and constructed Superformance is a respectable compliment to the original work of art. Since it's becoming more and more impractical to drive a vintage car on the street, more and more aftermarket cars are owned by these same people as well. Superformance's goal is to make their Mark-III's high quality as possible for the best dollar value that can be maintained.