[Tutosnake]

I bought a CSX because i can always show that CSX number. I could care less if it was more or less quality. I bought a CSX because it carried Shelby's name, dead or alive. I bought a CSX because another replica was farther out from the original thing. i bought a CSX because the same money for a Ferrari would have gotten me a post-Enzo run of the mill car that will never be collectible (sans the low run uber-ferraris of our modern times). I bought a CSX because to my eye, it offers the BEST body line. I bought a CSX because otherwise $60,000 for a non Shelby replica is REALLY wasted money... All non CSX cars should be worth $40K tops... it's a cheap car to make, it is so elemental that to pay more that $40K for it is nuts, UNLESS it is a SHELBY Cobra. Like or not, Shelby (or some dudes) went back into the replica business and produced THE car with the proper lineage, replica or not. I bought a CSX because of the history of Shelby's. Like it or not, if your car is not a CSX, it does not carry the Shelby mystique, o heritage. Is it better that the other ones? Well, let me just mention that every single local guy (mechanic, body work, painter, racer) that has come in close contact with my car has said the same thing (to my delight): "this is the best replica I have ever seen... it is made so much better than the rest..." Is this true? I do not have the experience and knowledge to bottom line it, but these guys seem to see the difference.
If I wanted to invest my money wisely (on a car), no Shelby car (except the 289 Coupe, and roadsters that won the "65 Championship), CSX or Mustang would be in my top 10 list. Are you kidding me? That list comprises a group of Ferraris and Bugattis, with a handful of Alfas and Mercs, and only the Daytona Coupe finishing up the list. Who would in their right mind buy an original CSX roadster for more than $150,000 ? Only people with more money that sense. It is one of the simplest, simplistic, and rudimentary cars ever built. It was fast, nothing else. It was left in dirty corners for long years, disregarded as trash. One day someone said "i want to restore that car" and spent $200K doing it, and "Voila!" a new object of appreciation was born. It has been SOOOO imitated, that you cannot tell the difference between those originals and so many others running up and down our streets!!
I paid what I paid for my CSX car because it is what i thought any non-competition CSX car is worth... tops. Since that is not what the market thinks, and I cannot afford an original car,. I went for a 6000 car. Now that the "roller" price went up, I think the next buyer should look into an original XKE, Alfa, Lancia, Corvette, or Porsche (for investment purposes).
Like it or not, ERA, Kirkham, SPF, etc. are not Shelby Cobras. It does not mean they are not better products, but they will never be a Shelby. Sometimes, the name of a brand has all the power to it. Ask Coca-Cola....
As it is I celebrate ANY good looking Cobra here, and out there. It is a great hobby, and an awesome car to work with. It allows any of us to be driver and mechanic at the same time. It is timeless, and beautiful. We should all enjoy it in its many forms, but please stop trying to make me feel guilty about having spent more money for my CSX version... it is what it is!