Some "spoon feeding" before beddy bye. Not that it will help but here goes.
Open wide....
4th Edition World Registry of Cobras & GT40s.
A. Every effort has been made to insure that everything printed in this book is as accurate as possible.....Any inaccuracies brought to our attention will be corrected in the next edition. (Note to Ned and the sour grapes bunch....write to them now)
B. This Registry is the end result of more than 30 years of in-depth research, information collecting and various attempts at verification of these cars. All of this has been done by a small number of supremely dediccates enthusiasts whose only reward is the knowledge that they have worked to the best of their abilities to produce something that solidifies the history of the cars created by Shelby American and the companies affiliated with it. ....As a totality it defines waht Cobras and Ford GTs are and specifically identifies the ones fit that definition. (Hey, whatdya know my Cobra is listed in there!!!
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C. Each Cobra carries a unique serial number allow authentic cars to be easily identified. By keeping track of these serial numbers as well as individual histories and chain of ownership of the cars, registrars are able to assist club members in telling the difference between real cars and fake ones. (Continuation Cobras have their own Registrar, Kevin Rodgers..I guess we don't need him...hey Kevin, your fired.)
D. The second reason why the number of fake Cobras has been greatly reduced is taht Shelby is now offering a new generation of Cobra roadsters. No one is seriously attempting to convince anyone taht these cars are "originals"-that is to say, they are the same cars built and sold between 1962 and 1968. But they are very close, mechanically and cosmetically, and they
are built by Carroll Shelby. So while not "original"", they are authentic.
E. As soon as the first fiberglass bodied Cobra kits were built, they were being called "replicas". This is not really an accurate description because they are not by definition, replicas. Webster's dictionary defines, "replica" as ...1) a reproduction or copy of a work of art; especially a copy made by the maker of the original 2) any very close reproduction or facsimile".....By this definition AC Cars was quite correct to refer to the race cars they built on chassis numbers 2136, 2137, 2138, 2154, 2156 and 2157 as "LeMans Replicas". Likewise, kit cars are definitely not very close reproductions of the original Cobra. ...Calling them "replicas" is a misuse of the word. But like toothpaste, once out it is impossible to get back int eh tube. So we're stuck with the label "Cobra replica".
F. SAAC has established some working definitions for describing Cobras because most descriptions are written by the cars' owners, some of whom are not above acting in their own self interest. (Seems like some Registrars/curators have that same problem).
G. -Kit car or Replica. Any car with a body which approximates the original Cobra shape, using any kind of frame, suspension, brakes or driveline.
-CSX4000. Current Production Cobras built by Shelby to more or less original 427 SC standards; delivered without engine and transmission.
H. Production figures for Cobras as of publishing printed on page 31 which include production for Continuation Cobras.
I. As to the creation of the original Cobra....." Shelbys new car may have resembled the AC's old one but there was a world of difference under the skin."...." A list of changes were was made and sent to AC Cars with eh order to modify the chassis as indicated and commence production"
J. Rem has been variously described as a mechanic, fabricator and engineer but he is an engineering genius who solved every problem that cropped up on the Cobras-both production and race cars.
K. As Shelby began to settle into the role of manufacturer, he discovered a myriad of problems to be solved and obstacles to be overcome: sourcing and obtaining parts; completing cars as they arrived; building a dealer network, creating marketing and advertising campaign. Cobras were shipped by boat from AC Cars without engines, radiators, transmissions or driveshafts to save import duties, which were higher on finished cars than on complete ones (Sounds like the kit car of it's day to me based on the definition of many on this cite)
L. Under contract from Shelby Americanl, AC Cars Ltd. in England produced Cobra chassis and AC either manufactured or subcontracted most the other components that went to make up the CSX series Cobras.
M. Shelby American, as a corporate entity, was in more or less continuous operation ever since the Los Angeles airport facility was closed down in the fall of 1967.
Hey, I didn't say the above SAAC did. Take it up with those potatoes.
Good night.