Quote:
Originally Posted by peterpjb
cobra is a component car from the very beginning with the only intellectual performance to connect the right existing parts
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IMO, Carroll Shelby's original Cobra was not much different than what many hot rodders did and still do - CS took a body and frame he liked, did an engine swap and then tweaked some other components so it all worked together. He did one better than most hot rodders did by turning it into a limited production automobile that he sold a few copies of. The fact he was a former racer and had connections in the auto industry probably didn't hurt his cause but, then again, many would do the same if they had the same opportunity.
So, yes, it was a component car from the very beginning, albeit with a bit less variance from car to car than what the kit / replica / component / tribute car industry has subsequently produced.
When the Small Vehicle Manufacturers legislation takes effect we may see others (e.g. Superformance, Kirkham, FFR) produce limited production Cobra-esque roadsters once again. There's already been an announcement from AC in the UK to that effect (using GM crate engines), and I've also seen an announcement somebody is going to produce coffin-nosed Cords.
The next few years are going to be very interesting in the replicar industry.