[beagle]

I’m in the region where the real CSX3016 has been in the Northeast all along. I refer to the car that has always been in the Northeast as the real one because all the evidence I’m aware of and input from people over the years seems to make it a pretty clear situation. The small group of people mentioned who are familiar with the original car and have thoroughly researched its history includes a long time SAAC member very knowledgeable with original Cobras. Other SAAC veterans have been involved in providing details that helped validate everything, including a long time Cobra expert who for many years knew the owner who put the stock car body on it but didn’t find where it went to. This is not some spurious claim or story. No one wants to get thrown under the bus though, as we know the current owners of the auction car paid a lot of money for it then on top of that they poured good $ to a replica builder on LI to make it look more like the original. The replica builder then utilizing a knowledgeable outside resource for guidance and parts.

The owner of the real car has shared enough with key individuals and combined with input from numerous Cobra long-timers makes the reality of where the car went quite apparent. Maybe his reluctance in coming public seems to be tempered by a number of factors. Is there no rush for him to jump into the auction car’s mess given the financial resources of the auction car owners? The fact that he’s not looking to sell it so he's not really motivated? That's his business. Time doesn’t change the truth and will not make the car disappear. Ive been told there are reportedly something like a dozen witnesses who, if it came down to it, could be subpoenaed to substantiate the demonstrated ownership history all the way back to new. I was also told that when it was purchased around 1970 from the fellow who converted it into a stock car, the only parts of the car that were not original were portions of the body replaced and associated pieces that were damaged in the wreck Grossman had, ie it was a complete car.

The auction car, on the other hand, seems to have just popped out of thin air on the other side of the country and has no solid proof of any valid connection to the original – traceability is the most basic tenet of provenance. The witness of the shock tower bracket change to me only adds to the evidence of how maybe it was a street car with an identity changed with no proof that anyhting real from 3016 was used. Anyway I have little doubt where the original car went - and it didn’t end up at auction recently.

Please let me make it crystal clear that I am basing my opinion solely on facts I have read and from people I have spoken to. To date I have never personally seen either car in person and or what remains of it. I look forward to the day I see them both firsthand.

Respectfully,

Steven