Production of the retro styled Schecter Spitfire began in 1996 - but legal complications forced Schecter to change its name to the Hellcat by 1997. According to Schecter the Hellcat was:
"designed to be the ultimate marriage of the 60s and the 90s, the Hellcat's three mini-humbuckers offer a wide array of shimmering tones. Cool vintage finishes, psychedelic colored pearl pickguards and oversized 'radio' knobs add to the Hellcat's retro look, while the VS-100 tremolo and Sperzel locking tuners give the tuning stability that the 'pawnshop' specials of yesteryear did not have."
Guitar Magazine UK were suitably impressed in their 1997 review of the Hellcat:
"The Hellcat is one of the most impressive guitars I've played for a long time... it looks fantastic and has a juicy tone to match. Due to the large and number of playing styles currently in fashion ...stylistically, companies need to take risks to attract the new breed of guitar players... Schecter are certainly doing that."
Guitar Magazine UK
Hellcats were also available with two Schecter humbuckers and there was a 10 string version (the Hellcat X).